whatever that may be.

Although we have seldom found intestine divisions carried to so
blameable a length in any other nation that was not corrupt in itself,
yet, it is clear, that the influence obtained by the wealth of its
neighbours was at the bottom of those highly blameable, and
dreadfully fatal divisions.

When aggrandisement is the aim of modern states, there will not now
be any difficulty of pleading example; and there is one of those very
powers that on this occasion participated in the division which has all
the seeds of discord in itself that brought on the ruin of the Polish
empire. That power has already felt the effect of example; and, though
it may repine, it cannot complain, as it might otherwise have done; or
if it does, it cannot expect equal commiseration.

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE INTENDED TO ILLUSTRATE
THE RISE AND FALL OF NATIONS.

In the chart, at the beginning of the work, the lines, from top to
bottom, represent the division of time into centuries, each indicating
the year, marked under and above it, in the same way that has been
adopted in Dr. Priestley's Chart of Universal History, in works of
chronology, and in statements of commerce and finance.

The countries that have flourished, whether by commerce, or any
other means are supposed to be represented by the parallel spaces
from right to left, according to the names written on the right hand.

The rise of the black part, something like a distant range of low
mountains, shews at what periods the country was great; when its
greatness began and when it ended. This plan would be
unexceptionally correct, if the materials for it could be procured; but if
they were, it would not lead to any very different conclusion from
what it does in its present state. The times, when the elevation began,
and its duration are exact. The rises and falls are, as nearly as I am
able, estimated from existing documents.

The part shaded of a darkish colour, and growing gradually lighter at
both edges, represent those centuries of ignorance which succeeded
the fall of the Roman empire. [end of page #78]

At the bottom, on the part not stained, is a chronological list of events,
inventions, and discoveries, connected with the subject. Those which
are not, however, important or curious, have no place.

The commerce of France, Britain, Russia, and America, are upon a
true scale with respect to their proportional amount, as well as to their
rise and progress.