there is no fear of invaſion, and they have no conqueſts to make, their policy conſiſts in maintaining their independence, and preſerving the public tranquillity. As the end of government is the greateſt happineſs of the greateſt number, ſaving at the ſame time the ſtipulated rights of all, governments like theſe, where a large ſhare of power is preſerved by the people, deſerve to be admired and imitated. It is in ſuch governments that human nature appears in its dignity, honeſt, brave, and generous.
Some writers are of opinion, that Switzerland was originally peopled by a colony of Greeks. The fame greatneſs of ſoul, the ſame ſpirit of independence, the ſame love of their country, has animated both the ancients and the moderns, to that determined heroiſm which prefers death to ſlavery. Their hiſtory is full of examples of victories obtained by ſmall numbers of men over large armies. In 1388 the Auſtrians made an irruption into their territory, with an army of fifteen thoufand men; but, inſtead of conquering the country as they expected, in attacking about four hundred men poſted on the mountains at Næfel, they were broken by the ſtones rolled upon them from the ſummit: the Swiſs, at this critical moment, ruſhed down upon them with ſuch fury, as forced them to retire with an immenſe loſs. Such will ever be the character of a people, who preſerve ſo large a ſhare to themſelves in their legiſlature, while they temper their conſtitution, at the ſame time, with an executive power in a chief magiſtrate, and an ariſtocratical power in a wiſe ſenate.
The government here is by no means entirely democratical. It is true, that the ſovereign is the whole country, and the ſovereignty reſides in
