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Let. 7.

161

The precife point at which the fcales of powerturn like that of the folftice in either tropic, isimperceptible to common obfervation: and, in one 'cafe as in the other, fome progrefs muft be madein the new direction, before the change is perceiv*ed. They who are in the finking fcale, for in thepolitical balance of power, unlike to all others,the fcale that is empty finks, and that which isfull rifes j they who are in the finking fcale, donot eafily come off from the habitual prejudicesof fuperior wealth, or power, or fkill, or courage,nor from the confidence that thefe prejudices imfpire. They who are in the rifing fcale do notimmediately feel their ftrength , nor alfume thatconfidence in it which fuccefsful experience givesthem afterwards. They who are the mod concern-ed to watch the variations of this balance, mif-judge often in the fame manner, and from the!lame prejudices. They continue to dread a powerno longer able to hurt them, or they continue tohave no apprehenfions of a power that growsdaily more formidable. Spain verified the firft ob-.fervation at the end of the fecond period, when,proud and poor, and enterprifing and feeble, fhe :ftill thought herfelf a match for France, Francesverified the fecond obfervation at the beginningof the third period, when the triple allianceflopped the progrefs of her arms, which alliancesmuch more coniiderable were not able to effedtafterwards. The other principal powers of Europe ,in their turns, have verified the third obfervation

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