9.7. 7. A Reflection.
The enemies of a great prince, whose reign was protracted to an
unusual length, have very often accused him, rather, I believe, from
their own fears than upon any solid foundation, of having formed and
carried on a project of universal monarchy. Had he attained his aim,
nothing would have been more fatal to his subjects, to himself, to his
family, and to all Europe. Heaven, that knows our true interests,
favoured him more by preventing the success of his arms than it could
have done by crowning him with victories. Instead of raising him to be
the only sovereign in Europe, it made him happier by rendering him the
most powerful.
The subjects of this prince, who in travelling abroad are never
affected but with what they have left at home; who on quitting their own
habitations look upon glory as their chief object, and in distant
countries as an obstacle to their return; who disgust you even by their
good qualities, because they are tainted with so much vanity; who are
capable of supporting wounds, perils, and fatigues, but not of foregoing
their pleasures; who are supremely fond of gaiety, and comfort
themselves for the loss of a battle by a song upon the general: those
subjects, I say, would never have the solidity requisite for an
enterprise of this kind, which if defeated in one country would be
unsuccessful everywhere else; and if once unsuccessful, would be so for
ever.
