were Buonaparte to die without an heir, or appointing a successor. The scale of political consideration in France is completely turned, the race of her kings and nobles is virtually extinct; and many, who were heretofore trodden under foot, now possess rank and influence; whilst the highest offices in the state are open to merit and emulation in the lowest classes of society. Superior merit now marks every gradation from the peasant to the throne. Can it then be supposed that all these will voluntarily return to the state of slavery? Præstat prevenire quam preveniri. Assuredly they will not. Will they voluntarily become servants, who have been masters? Common sense will determine the question. As to the few of the ancient nobility now remaining in France, they are, according to Machiavelli's maxim (chap. 3) too weak to be feared; or enjoy that degree of credit under the present system, that they would be worse than ideots to attempt a revolution in favour of the Bourbon race, which it is evident, if the Royal-
