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Show [ 5o ] [ 5I ] the Feeblenefs of the Attempt to diffuade Men from a Practice they have been long accufiomed to confider in a very different Light from that in which it will be here fet forth : And fuch is for Empire by Means of Defolation, and for the Inveteracy of bad Habits, fuch the be- much Ceremony or Pretence: It was thought witching, tho' empty Sounds of Conqueft and Reafon good enough to jufiify the Deed, if one Man liked what another Man had; and War Glory, that there remains only the bare Pofiéz‘lz'ty of Hopes of Succefs in thefe Endeavours -, for as to all the Degrees of Proéaéz'lz'ty, they are certainly on the contrary Side. HOWEVER, as the Nature of my Argument leads me to fet forth the feveral Means of rendering a Country populous, certainly the Prevention of Wars, as one of the molt capital Means, cannot be omitted : And therefore I mull; confider myfelf in this Cafe as People do national Riches by introducing univerfal Poverty and Want. IN ancient Times, Men went to War without and Robbery were the honourable Profeflions : Nothing was adjudged dilhonourable but the Arts of Peace and Indui'try. This is Herodotm's Account of the Manner of living of the Barbarians of Thrace; and this, with very fmall Alterations, might ferve to charaéterife all other Barbarians, either of antient or modern Times. BUT at prefent, we, who chufe to call our- when they commence Adventurers in a Lottery; {elves civilized Nations, generally afi‘eét a more ceremonious Parade, and many Pretences. where, though there are perhaps almol't an infinite Number of Chances againl't any fingle Complaints are firlt made of fome Injury re- Man to whofe Share the great Prize will fall. ceived, fome Right violated, fome Incroachment, Detention, or Ufurpation, and none will acknowledge themfelves the Aggrefi'brs; nay, a folemn Appeal is made to Heaven for Now, if a Conduct, grounded on f0 much Im- the Truth of each Afi‘ertion, and the final probability, can efcape the Cenfure of general Avenger of the Opprefl‘ed, and Searcher of Adventurer, yet every Individual cherifhes the flattering Expeétation, that he {hall be the happy Ridicule, it is to be hoped, that my Folly, for all Hearts, is called upon to maintain the fuch I acknowledge it, may efcapelikewile; at righteous Cattle, and to punilh the Wrong-deer. Thus it is with both Parties -, and while neither leall, as it is of f0 innocent and harmlefs a Na- ture, let me be allowed to petition, that mine may be el'teemed lefs irrational than that military and political Folly which confii'ts in feeking for pf them will own the true Motives, perhaps it {S apparent to all the World, that, on one Side, If not on both, a Thirfi of Glory, a Lul't of G 2 Do~ |