pitch of frenzy, that it would, in any situation, have been difficult to
resist, but for which the enervated emperors of the east were totally
unequal.

This added one instance more of a poor triumphing over an enervated
and rich people. Nothing could exceed the poverty of the Turks,
unless it was the ugliness of their women. But the case was not the
same here as when the Goths and Vandals, from violence and revenge,
attacked Rome merely to plunder and destroy. The Turks were,
comparatively, from a southern climate themselves; though poor, they
had been living amongst the wreck of ancient greatness, and they
conquered with an intention to occupy and enjoy.

Thus was extinguished the last remains of ancient grandeur, in the
middle of the fifteenth century. About fifty years before, many new
sources of wealth were discovered, and the old ones were entirely
converted into a channel that was new also. Thus, those who had,
from the earliest ages, been in possession of wealth were preparing the
way for enriching poor nations, that, from their geographical situation
and other circumstances, never could otherwise have participated in it.
[end of page #50]

CHAP. VI.

_Digression concerning the Commerce with India.--This the only one
that raised ancient Nations to Wealth.--Its continual Variations.--
The Envy it excited, and Revolutions it produced_.

Before there are any authentic records, Syria and Egypt were
populous; and the monarchs that ruled in those extensive countries had
established their governments upon the plan that has more or less been
adopted by all countries. There were different ranks of people. The
same offices did not fall indifferently upon all. Wealth was unequally
divided; and, of course, a foundation was laid for that commerce
which consists in supplying the affluent with articles of taste and
luxury, which are only produced in some countries; whereas, articles
of necessity are produced in every country that is inhabited.

Commerce appears at first to have been entirely confined to the
productions of the eastern and middle parts of Asia, which have, from
the earliest periods, been sought after with great avidity by the people
of other countries.

All that is most grateful to the taste, the eye, or the smell, is found in
peculiar excellence in India. It is not to be wondered at then, if such
objects of the desires of men were an abundant source of riches to
those nations who had the mean