imposing.  They see little of the under-ground part of the tree of liberty, and know less of the nature of man, who can think thus.  Where indeed there is an indisputable and immeasurable superiority in one nation over another; to be conquered may, in course of time, be a benefit to the inferior nation:  and, upon this principle, some of the conquests of the Greeks and Romans may be justified.  But in what of really useful or honourable are the French superior to their Neighbours?  Never far advanced, and, now barbarizing apace, they may carry—­amongst the sober and dignified Nations which surround them—­much to be avoided, but little to be imitated.

There is yet another case in which a People may be benefited by resignation or forfeiture of their rights as a separate independent State; I mean, where—­of two contiguous or neighbouring countries, both included by nature under one conspicuously defined limit—­the weaker is united with, or absorbed into, the more powerful; and one and the same Government is extended over both.  This, with clue patience and foresight, may (for the most part) be amicably effected, without the intervention of conquest; but—­even should a violent course have been resorted to, and have proved successful—­the result will be matter of congratulation rather than of regret, if the countries have been incorporated with an equitable participation of natural advantages and civil privileges.  Who does not rejoice that former partitions have disappeared,—­and that England, Scotland, and Wales, are under one legislative and executive authority; and that Ireland (would that she had been more justly dealt with!) follows the same destiny?  The large and numerous Fiefs, which interfered injuriously with the grand demarcation assigned by nature to France, have long since been united and consolidated.  The several independent Sovereignties of Italy (a country, the boundary of which is still more expressly traced out by nature; and which has no less the further definition and cement of country which Language prepares) have yet this good to aim at:  and it will be a happy day for Europe, when the natives of Italy and the natives of Germany (whose duty is, in like manner, indicated to them) shall each dissolve the pernicious barriers which divide them, and form themselves into a mighty People.  But Spain, excepting a free union with Portugal, has no benefit of this kind to look for:  she has long since attained it.  The Pyrenees on the one side, and the Sea on every other; the vast extent and great resources of the territory; a population numerous enough to defend itself against the whole world, and capable of great increase; language; and long duration of independence;—­point out and command that the two nations of the Peninsula should be united in friendship and strict alliance; and, as soon as it may be effected without injustice, form one independent and indissoluble sovereignty.  The Peninsula cannot be protected but by itself:  it is too large a tree to be framed by nature for a station among underwoods; it must have power to toss its branches in the wind, and lift a bold forehead to the sun.