intend is an introduction to Turgot's prophetic words relating to
America. When only twenty-three years of age, while still an
ecclesiastic at the Sorbonne, the future minister delivered a discourse
on the Progress of the Human Mind, in which, after describing the
commercial triumphs of the ancient Phoenicians, covering the coasts of
Greece and Asia with their colonies, he lets drop these remarkable
words:--

"Les colonies sont comme des fruits qui ne tiennent a l'arbre que
jusqu'a leur maturite; devenues suffisantes a elles-memes, elles firent
ce que fit depuis Carthage,--_ce que fera un jour l'Amerique_."[22]

"Colonies are like fruits, which hold to the tree only until their
maturity; when sufficient for themselves, they did that which Carthage
afterwards did,--_that which some day America will do_."

On this most suggestive declaration, Dupont de Nemours, the editor of
Turgot's works, published in 1808, remarks in a note as follows:--

"It was in 1750 that M. Turgot, being then only twenty-three years old,
and devoted in a seminary to the study of theology, divined, foresaw the
revolution which has formed the United States,--which has detached them
from the European power apparently the most capable of retaining its
colonies under its domination."

At the time Turgot wrote, Canada was a French possession; but his words
are as applicable to this colony as to the United States. When will this
fruit be ripe?

JOHN ADAMS.--1755, 1776, 1780, 1785, 1787.

Next in time among the prophets was John Adams, who has left on record
at different dates several predictions which show a second-sight of no
common order. Of his life I need say nothing, except that he was born
19th October, 1735, and died 4th July, 1826. I mention the predictions
in the order of their utterance.

1. While teaching a school at Worcester, and when under twenty years of
age, he wrote a letter to one of his youthful companions, _bearing date
12th October, 1755_, which is a marvel of foresight. Fifty-two years
afterwards, when already much of its prophecy had been fulfilled, the
original was returned to its author by the son of his early comrade and
correspondent, Nathan Webb, who was at the time dead. In this letter,
after remarking gravely on the rise and fall of nations, with
illustrations from Carthage and Rome, he proceeds:--

"England began to increase in power and magnificence, and is now the
greatest nation of the globe. Soon after the