A Speculative Sketch of Europe: Translated from the French of Monsieur Dumouriez; To Which Are Prefixed Strictures Upon the Chapter Relative to Great Britain
A Speculative Sketch of Europe: Translated from the French of Monsieur Dumouriez; To Which Are Prefixed Strictures Upon the Chapter Relative to Great Britain
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1798 edition. Excerpt: ...'....-GENOA. NEVER has Genoa enjoyed a fixed conftitution. Neither individuals nor the ftate were ever long at reft. Sometimes fhe belonged to the Emperors, fometimes to the Kings of France, to the Dukes pf Milan, to Archbifhops, or tyrannic individuals; to the Fregofi, the Adorni, er the Doriaa. Sometimes was ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1798 edition. Excerpt: ...'....-GENOA. NEVER has Genoa enjoyed a fixed conftitution. Neither individuals nor the ftate were ever long at reft. Sometimes fhe belonged to the Emperors, fometimes to the Kings of France, to the Dukes pf Milan, to Archbifhops, or tyrannic individuals; to the Fregofi, the Adorni, er the Doriaa. Sometimes was Genoa governed democratically by a plebeian, ' fometimes ariftocratically by an Andrew Doria, to whom ftie owed her liberty, and chat form of government which fubfifted till the invafion of Italy. At another time wholly commercial, fhe covered the fea with her fleets, and ravaged them with her corfairs: --happieft fince flie fell from her ancient elevation and glory, and exchanged them for repofe. Such was this tempeftuous republic, deftitutc of revenues, of troops, of navy, and of ftabi lity. Hated or defpifed by her fubjedts, fhc could neither govern, preferve, nor conquer Gorfica. She even rejoiced to be relieved from the burden of pofleffing it. The French revolution happened too near Genoa, not to caufe fome difturbance among a people fo fufceptible of fermentation, and whole hiftory had prefented a continual ftrugglc between democracy and ariftocracy. The Genoefe are neither able to preferve their liberty, nor-to bear a yoke. Thus the revolution they have embraced muft neceflarily bring upon them nev calamities without procuring them one folid advantage. Every commercial ftate, like Genoa, Geneva, or Hamburg, requires a moderate degree of liberty, and a fimple and (table conftitution, which enfures the moft invariable refpect to property. If the government is too ariftocratic, itcrufhes commerce by the pride of rank and the devouring confumption of luxury. If too democratic, the lower clafles are jealous and harrafs the merchant. The...
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