in an age where the remedies hurt as much as the vices.' Do you know
the reality? _The epoch has come of the total fall of Europe, and of
transmigration into America._ All here turns into rottenness,--religion,
laws, arts, sciences,--and all hastens to renew itself in America. This
is not a jest; nor is it an idea drawn from the English quarrels; I have
said it, announced it, preached it, for more than twenty years, and I
have constantly seen my prophecies come to pass. _Therefore, do not buy
your house in the Chaussee d'Antin; you must buy it in Philadelphia._ My
trouble is that there are no abbeys in America."[35]

This letter was written some months before the Declaration of
Independence was known in Europe.

2. In another letter, _dated at Naples, 7th February, 1778_, the Abbe
alludes to the "quantities" of English men and women who have come to
Naples "for shelter from the American tempest," and adds, "Meanwhile the
Washingtons and Hancocks will be fatal to them."[36] In still another,
_dated at Naples, 25 July, 1778_, he renews his prophecies in language
still more explicit:--

"You will at this time have decided the greatest revolution of the
globe; namely, _if it is America which is to reign over Europe, or if it
is Europe which is to continue to reign over America_. I will wager in
favor of America, for the reason merely physical, that for five thousand
years genius has turned opposite to the diurnal motion, and travelled
from the East to the West."[37]

Here again is the idea of Berkeley which has been so captivating.

ADAM SMITH.--1776.

In contrast with the witty Italian is the illustrious philosopher and
writer of Scotland, Adam Smith, who was born 5th June, 1723, and died
17th July, 1790. His fame is so commanding that any details of his life
or works would be out of place on this occasion. He was a thinker and an
inventor, through whom mankind was advanced in knowledge.

I say nothing of his "Theory of Moral Sentiments," which constitutes an
important contribution to the science of ethics, but come at once to his
great work of political economy, entitled "Inquiry into the Nature and
Sources of the Wealth of Nations," which first appeared in 1776. Its
publication marks an epoch which is described by Mr. Buckle when he
says: "Adam Smith contributed more, by the publication of this single
work, toward the happiness of man, than has been effected by the united
abilities of all the statesmen and legis