Europe, it is true, has for these
two ages past greatly increased its navigation; this has both procured
and deprived it of inhabitants. Holland sends every year a great number
of mariners to the Indies, of whom not above two-thirds return; the rest
either perish or settle in the Indies. The same thing must happen to
every other nation concerned in that trade.
We must not judge of Europe as of a particular state engaged alone
in an extensive navigation. This state would increase in people, because
all the neighbouring nations would endeavour to have ashare in this
commerce, and mariners would arrive from all parts. Europe, separated
from the rest of the world by religion,
[116]
by vast seas and deserts,
cannot be repaired in this manner.
