785_, reports the saying of people about him, "_that Canada
and Nova Scotia must soon be ours_; there must be war for it; they know
how it will end, but the sooner the better. This done, we shall be
forever at peace; till then, never."[31] These intimations foreshadow
the prophecy which will be found in the Preface to his "Defence of the
American Constitutions," written in London, while he was Minister there,
and _dated at Grosvenor Square, 1st January, 1787_:--

"The United States of America have exhibited, perhaps, the first example
of governments erected on the simple principles of nature.... Thirteen
governments thus founded on the natural authority of the people alone,
without a pretence of miracle or mystery, and _which are destined to
spread over the northern part of that whole quarter of the globe_, are a
great point gained in favor of the rights of mankind. The experiment is
made, and has completely succeeded."[32]

Here is foretold nothing less than that our system of government is to
embrace the whole continent of North America.

GALIANI.--1776, 1778.

Among the most brilliant persons in this list is the Abbe Galiani, a
Neapolitan, who was born in 1728, and died at Naples in 1787. Although
Italian by birth, yet by the accident of official residence he became
for a while domesticated in France, wrote the French language, and now
enjoys a French reputation. His writings in French and his letters have
the wit and ease of Voltaire.

Galiani was a genius. Whatever he touched shone at once with his
brightness, in which there was originality as well as knowledge. He was
a finished scholar, and very successful in lapidary verses. Early in
life, while in Italy, he wrote a grave essay on Money, which contrasted
with another of rare humor suggested by the death of the public
executioner. Other essays followed, and then came the favor of that
congenial pontiff, Benedict XIV. In 1760 he found himself at Paris, as
Secretary of the Neapolitan Embassy. Here he mingled with the courtiers
officially, according to the duties of his position, but he fraternized
with the liberal and sometimes audacious spirits who exercised such an
influence over society and literature. He was soon recognized as one of
them, and as inferior to none. His petty stature was forgotten, when he
conversed with inexhaustible faculties of all kinds, so that he seemed
an Encyclopaedia, Harlequin, and Machiavelli all in one. The atheists at
the Thur