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It was impossible； some will say； for them to imagine that Hannibal had been so successful。 But how was it possible for them to doubt it？ Could the Carthaginians； a people spread over all the earth； be ignorant of what was transacting in Italy？ No： they were sufficiently acquainted with it； and for that reason they did not care to send supplies to Hannibal。
Hanno became more resolute after the battle of Trebia； after the battle of Thrasimenus； after that of Cann？； it was not his incredulity that increased； but his fear。
7。 The same Subject continued。 There is still another inconvenience in conquests made by democracies： their government is ever odious to the conquered states。 It is apparently monarchical： but in reality it is much more oppressive than monarchy； as the experience of all ages and countries evinces。
The conquered people are in a melancholy situation； they neither enjoy the advantages of a republic； nor those of a monarchy。
What has been here said of a popular state is applicable to aristocracy。
8。 The same Subject continued。 When a republic； therefore； keeps another nation in subjection； it should endeavour to repair the inconveniences arising from the nature of its situation by giving it good laws both for the political and civil government of the people。
We have an instance of an island in the Mediterranean； subject to an Italian republic； whose political and civil laws with regard to the inhabitants of that island were extremely defective。 The act of indemnity；＇7＇ by which it ordained that no one should be condemned to bodily punishment in consequence of the private knowledge of the governor； ex informata conscientia； is still recent in everybody's memory。 There have been frequent instances of the people's petitioning for privileges； here the sovereign grants only the common right of all nations。
9。 Of Conquests made by a Monarchy。 If a monarchy can long subsist before it is weakened by its increase； it will become formidable； and its strength will remain entire； while pent up by the neighbouring monarchies。
It ought not； therefore； to aim at conquests beyond the natural limits of its government。 So soon as it has passed these limits； it is prudence to stop。
In this kind of conquest things must be left as they were found the same courts of judicature； the same laws； the same customs； the same privileges： there ought to be no other alteration than that of the army and of the name of the sovereign。
When a monarchy has extended its limits by the conquest of neighbouring provinces； it should treat those provinces with great lenity。
If a monarchy has been long endeavouring at conquest； the provinces of its ancient demesne are generally ill…used。 They are obliged to submit both to the new and to the ancient abuses； and to be depopulated by a vast metropolis； that swallows up the whole。 Now if； after having made conquests round this demesne； the conquered people were treated like the ancient subjects； the state would be undone； the taxes sent by the conquered provinces to the capital would never return； the inhabitants of the frontiers would be ruined； and consequently the frontiers would be weaker； the people would be disaffected； and the subsistence of the armies designed to act and remain there would become more precarious。
Such is the necessary state of a conquering monarchy： a shocking luxury in the capital； misery in the provinces somewhat distant； and plenty in the most remote。 It is the same with such a monarchy as with our planet； fire at the centre； verdure on the surface； and between both a dry； cold； and barren earth。
10。 Of one Monarchy that subdues another。 Sometimes one monarchy subdues another。 The smaller the latter； the better it is overawed by fortresses； and the larger it is； the better will it be preserved by colonies。
11。 Of the Manners of a conquered People。 It is not sufficient in those conquests to let the conquered nation enjoy their own laws； it is； perhaps； more necessary to leave them also their manners； because people in general have a stronger attachment to these than to their laws。
The French have been driven nine times out of Italy； because； as historians say；＇8＇ of their insolent familiarities with the fair sex。 It is too much for a nation to be obliged to bear not only with the pride of conquerors； but with their incontinence and indiscretion； these are； without doubt； most grievous and intolerable； as they are the source of infinite outrages。
12。 Of a Law of Cyrus。 Far am I from thinking that a good law which Cyrus made to oblige the Lydians to practise none but mean or infamous professions。 It is true he directed his attention to an object of the greatest importance： he thought of guarding against revolts； and not invasions； but invasions will soon come； when the Persians and Lydians unite and corrupt each other。 I would therefore much rather support by laws the simplicity and rudeness of the conquering nation than the effeminacy of the conquered。
Aristodemus； tyrant of Cum？；＇9＇ used all his endeavours to banish courage； and to enervate the minds of youth。 He ordered that boys should let their hair grow in the same manner as girls； that they should deck it with flowers； and wear long robes of different colours down to their heels； that when they went to their masters of music and dancing； they should have women with them to carry their umbrellas； perfumes； and fans； and to present them with combs and looking…glasses whenever they bathed。 This education lasted till the age of twenty an education that could be agreeable to none but to a petty tyrant； who exposes his sovereignty to defend his life。
13。 Charles XII。 This prince； who depended entirely on his own strength； hastened his ruin by forming designs that could never be executed but by a long war a thing which his kingdom was unable to support。
It was not a declining state he undertook to subvert； but a rising empire。 The Russians made use of the war he waged against them as of a military school。 Every defeat brought them nearer to victory； and； losing abroad； they learned to defend themselves at home。
Charles； in the deserts of Poland； imagined himself sovereign of the whole world： here he wandered； and with him in some measure wandered Sweden； while his capital enemy acquired new strength against him； locked him up； made settlements along the Baltic； destroyed or subdued Livonia。
Sweden was like a river whose waters are cut off at the fountain head in order to change its course。
It was not the affair of Pultowa that ruined Charles。 Had he not been destroyed at that place； he would have been in another。 The casualties of fortune are easily repaired； but who can be guarded against events that incessantly arise from the nature of things？
But neither nature nor fortune were ever so much against him as he himself。
He was not directed by the present situation of things； but by a kind of plan of his forming； and even this he followed very ill。 He was not an Alexander； but he would have made an excellent soldier under that monarch。
Alexander's project succeeded because it was prudently concerted。 The bad success of the Persians in their several invasions o