sentiment and knowledge, three hundred years behind the age in which it acts.  In such manner did the power originate; and, by the forces which I have described, is it maintained.  This should be declared:  and it should be added—­that the crimes of Buonaparte are more to be abhorred than those of other denaturalized creatures whose actions are painted in History; because the Author of those crimes is guilty with less temptation, and sins in the presence of a clearer light.

No doubt in the command of almost the whole military force of Europe (the subject which called upon me to make these distinctions) he has, at this moment, a third source of power which may be added to these two.  He himself rates this last so high—­either is, or affects to be, so persuaded of its pre-eminence—­that he boldly announces to the world that it is madness, and even impiety, to resist him.  And sorry may we be to remember that there are British Senators, who (if a judgement may be formed from the language which they speak) are inclined to accompany him far in this opinion.  But the enormity of this power has in it nothing inherent or permanent.  Two signal overthrows in pitched battles would, I believe, go far to destroy it.  Germans, Dutch, Italians, Swiss, Poles, would desert the army of Buonaparte, and flock to the standard of his Adversaries, from the moment they could look towards it with that confidence which one or two conspicuous victories would inspire.  A regiment of 900 Swiss joined the British army in Portugal; and, if the French had been compelled to surrender as Prisoners of War, we should have seen that all those troops, who were not native Frenchmen, would (if encouragement had been given) have joined the British:  and the opportunity that was lost of demonstrating this fact—­was not among the least of the mischiefs which attended the termination of the campaign.—­In a word; the vastness of Buonaparte’s military power is formidable—­not because it is impossible to break it; but because it has not yet been penetrated.  In this respect it may not inaptly be compared to a huge pine-forest (such as are found in the Northern parts of this Island), whose ability to resist the storms is in its skirts:  let but the blast once make an inroad; and it levels the forest, and sweeps it away at pleasure.  A hundred thousand men, such as fought at Vimiera and Corunna, would accomplish three such victories as I have been anticipating.  This Nation might command a military force which would drive the French out of the Peninsula:  I do not say that we could sustain there a military force which would prevent their re-entering; but that we could transplant thither, by a great effort, one which would expel them:—­This I maintain:  and it is matter of thought in which infirm minds may find both reproach and instruction.  The Spaniards could then take possession of their own fortresses; and have leisure to give themselves a blended civil and military organization, complete and animated by liberty; which, if once accomplished, they would be able to protect themselves.  The oppressed Continental Powers also, seeing such unquestionable proof that Great Britain was sincere and earnest, would lift their heads again; and, by so doing, would lighten the burthen of war which might remain for the Spaniards.