enjoy it, but by exercising the most severe dominion. What we have long anxiously desired, acquires in our minds an imaginary and extravagant value; and when we actually become possessed of it, a moderate and reasonable fruition, seems insipid and unsatisfactory to our heightened expectations. We are even, as it were, uncertain if we really have it. And generally, we never rest, till by abusing our powers, we destroy what we esteemed so highly.
An individual, who acquires a large fortune, and a state, which acquires an increase of domiminion, may be very properly compared. He who gets a large fortune, thinks he cannot shew his command of riches, but by such acts of profusion, as must quickly dissipate them. And a state, which has acquired an increase of dominion, thinks its sovereignty is not sufficiently manifested, but by such acts of arbitrary oppression, as must tend to force its subjects to throw off their allegiance. For however a people may, from indolence, from timidity, or from other motives, submit for a season to a certain degree of tyranny; if it is long continued, and pushed to an exorbitant length, nature will revolt, and the original rights of men will call for redress.
