only done by men of talents: the evils which might arise from them are soon cured; but when, from want of foresight, they are suffered to increase to such a height that they are perceptible to every one, there is no longer any remedy.
Thus the Romans, seeing inconveniences at a great distance, immediately prepared for them, and did not suffer them to grow worse, in order to shun a war; they knew that war is not to be shunned, but thạt in deferring it they always gave a great advantage to the enemy. According to these principles, they wished to wage it both against Philip and Antiochus in Greece, to avoid having to defend themselves against those princes in Italy. They might then, unquestionably, have avoided declaring it against botlh; but they would not, and they did not think fit to put in practice the maxim of the wise men of the present day, viz. to wait the advantage of time. They made use only of their prudence and their courage; in fact, time drives every thing before it, and may bring good as well as evil, and evil as well as good.
But let us return to France, and examine if she has in any thing followed the principles we have just explained. I will not speak of Charles VIII. but rather of Lewis XII. as of a prince who, having governed longer in Italy, has enabled us more easily to follow and to understand his course; and you will see that he has done every thing he
