it may hold[1] for a time, but it will faile suddainly. The Spartans were a nice People in Point of Naturalization[2]; whereby, while they kept their Compasse[3], they stood firme; But when they did spread, and their Boughs were becommen too great for their Stem, they became a Windfall[4] upon the suddaine. Never any State was, in this Point, so open to receive Strangers into their Body as were the Romans. Therefore it sorted[5] with them accordingly; For they grew to the greatest Monarchy. Their manner was to grant Naturalization, (which they called Ius Civitatis)[6] and to grant it in the highest Degree, That is, Not onely Ius Commercij[7], Ius Connubij[8], Ius Hæreditatis[9], But also, Ius Suffragij[10], and Ius Honorum[11]. And this, not to Singular Persons[12] alone, but likewise to whole Families; yea to Cities, and sometimes to Nations. Adde to this, their Custome of Plantation of Colonies, whereby the Roman Plant was removed into the Soile of other Nations. And putting both Constitutions together, you will say that it was not the Romans that spred upon the World, But it was the World that spred upon the Romans; And that was the sure Way of Greatnesse. I have marveiled some times at Spaine, how they claspe and containe[13] so large Dominions, with so few Naturall Spaniards: But sure[14], the whole Compasse of Spaine is a very Great Body of a Tree, Farre above Rome, and Sparta at the first. And besides, though they have not had that usage to Naturalize liberally, yet they have that which is next to it; That is, To employ almost indifferently[15] all Nations, in their Militia of ordinary Soldiers; yea, and sometimes in their Highest Commands. Nay, it seemeth at this instant they are sensible[16] of this want of Natives; as by the Pragmaticall Sanction, now published, appeareth.
- ↑ such an empire may last
- ↑ very particular about naturalisation
- ↑ while they kept within their original limits
- ↑ were blown down by the wind
- ↑ turned out
- ↑ right of citizenship
- ↑ right of trading
- ↑ right of marriage
- ↑ right of inheritance
- ↑ right of voting
- ↑ right of holding office
- ↑ not to individuals
- ↑ keep together
- ↑ surely
- ↑ without distinction
- ↑ conscious
