THE PRINCE.
137
CHAP. XXIV.
The Reason why the Princes of Italy have lost their States.
A prince, although a new one, will maintain himself as easily in his states as he who reigns by hereditary right, if he follows the maxims I have laid down ; and his situation is perhaps preferable in certain respects to that of the hereditary prince, because as we pay more attention to the conduct of a new prince, if he governs with wisdom, his merit will conciliate the esteem and affection of the penple more than any legitimate right of dominion[primus 1]. It is besides well known
- ↑ A very mistaken notion is generally entertained in England,
viz. that Buonaparte is hated by the French people, and calculating
on such erroneous data, the fabric of their reasoning is replete
with sophisms which the daily series of events destroy. The
writer of this note was in France previous to and during his Consulate,
and also since he assumed the imperial dignity; and he
does not hesitate to record his dissentient voice against the clamour
of popular opinion (fomented assuredly for no wise purpose,
for the fabric of error is illusory), and to state unequivocally, of
his own knowledge, that France appears happier now than at any
former period.
In arts and arms Buonaparte has rendered France truly great.
