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colonies in those parts of the world at points which are distant
from the English stations。
If we only consider the enormous interests which the nations of
the Continent have in common； as opposed to the English maritime
supremacy； we shall be led to the conviction that nothing is so
necessary to these nations as union； and nothing is so ruinous to
them as Continental wars。 The history of the last century also
teaches us that every war which the powers of the Continent have
waged against one another has had for its invariable result to
increase the industry； the wealth； the navigation； the colonial
possessions； and the power of the insular supremacy。
Hence； it cannot be denied that a correct view of the wants and
interests of the Continent underlaid the Continental system of
Napoleon； although it must not be ignored that Napoleon desired to
give effect to this idea （right in itself） in a manner which was
contrary to the independence and to the interests of the other
Continental powers。 The Continental system of Napoleon suffered
from three capital defects。 In the first place； it sought to
establish； in the place of the English maritime supremacy； a French
Continental supremacy； it sought the humiliation； or destruction
and dissolution； of other nationalities on the Continent for the
benefit of France； instead of basing itself on the elevation and
equalisation of the other Continental nations。 Furthermore； France
followed herself an exclusive commercial policy against the other
countries of the Continent； while she claimed for herself free
competition in those countries。 Finally； the system almost entirely
destroyed the trade between the manufacturing countries of the
Continent and tropical countries； and found itself compelled to
find a remedy for the destruction of this international trade by
the use of substituted articles。（1*）
That the idea of this Continental system will ever recur； that
the necessity of realising it will the more forcibly impress itself
on the Continental nations in proportion as the preponderance of
England in industry； wealth； and power further increases； is
already very clear； and will continually become more evident。 But
it is not less certain that an alliance of the Continental nations
can only have a good result if France is wise enough to avoid the
errors of Napoleon。 Hence； it is foolish of France if she raises
（contrary to all justice； and to the actual nature of
circumstances） claims for extension of frontiers at the expense of
Germany； and thereby compels other nations of the Continent to ally
themselves with England。
It is foolish of France if she speaks of the Mediterranean Sea
as of a French lake； and seeks to acquire exclusive influence in
the Levant and in South America。
An effective Continental system can only originate from the
free union of the Continental powers； and can succeed only in case
it has for its object （and also effects） an equal participation in
the advantages which result from it； for in that way only； and in
no other； can the maritime powers of second rank command respect
from the predominant power of England in such a way that the latter
without any recourse to the force of arms will concede all the just
requirements of the less powerful states。 Only by such an alliance
as that will the Continental manufacturing powers be able to
maintain their relations with tropical countries； and assert and
secure their interests in the East and the West。
In any case the British； who are ever too anxious for
supremacy； must feel it hard when they perceive in this manner how
the Continental nations will reciprocally raise their manufacturing
power by mutual commercial concessions and by treaties； how they
will reciprocally strengthen their navigation and their naval
power； how they will assert their claim to that share for which
they are fitted by nature in civilising and colonising barbarous
and uncultivated countries； and in trade with tropical regions。
Nevertheless； a glance into the future ought sufficiently to
console the britons for these anticipated disadvantages。
For the same causes which have raised Great Britain to her
present exalted position； will （probably in the course of the next
century） raise the United States of America to a degree of
industry； wealth； and power； which will surpass the position in
which England stands； as far as at present England excels little
Holland。 In the natural course of things the United States will
increase their population within that period to hundreds of
millions of souls； they will diffuse their population； their
institutions； their civilisation； and their spirit over the whole
of Central and South America； just as they have recently diffused
them over the neighbouring Mexican province。 The Federal Union will
comprise all these immense territories； a population of several
hundred millions of people will develop the resources of a
continent which infinitely exceeds the continent of Europe in
extent and in natural wealth。 The naval power of the western world
will surpass that of Great Britain； as greatly as its coasts and
rivers exceed those of Britain in extent and magnitude。
Thus in a not very distant future the natural necessity which
now imposes on the French and Germans the necessity of establishing
a Continental alliance against the British supremacy； will impose
on the British the necessity of establishing a European coalition
against the supremacy of America。 Then will Great Britain be
compelled to seek and to find in the leadership of the united
powers of Europe protection； security； and compensation against the
predominance of America； and an equivalent for her lost supremacy。
It is therefore good for England that she should practise
resignation betimes； that she should by timely renunciations gain
the friendship of European Continental powers； that she should
accustom herself betimes to the idea of being only the first among
equals。
NOTES：
1。 This fact is confirmed by Mad。 Junot； in M閙oires de la Duchess
d'Abrant鑣。 ＇TRANSLATOR。＇
Chapter 36
The Commercial Policy of the German Zollverein
If any nation whatever is qualified for the establishment of a
national manufacturing power； it is Germany； by the high rank which
she maintains in science and art； in literature and education； in
public administration and in institutions of public utility； by her
morality and religious character； her industry and domestic
econom