Book XVIII.
Chap. 20.of liberty, when by the strength of their situation, they are in a state, that will admit of their capitulating after their defeat. But the Tartars always defenceless, being once overcome, can never be able to stand upon conditions.
I have said in Chap. II. that the inhabitants of cultivated plains are seldom free. Circumstances have concurred to put the Tartars who dwell in uncultivated plains, in the same situation.
CHAP. XX.
Of the Law of Nations as practised by the Tartars.
THE Tartars appear to be mild and humane amongst themselves; and yet they are most cruel conquerors: when they take cities, they put the inhabitants to the sword, and imagine that they do them a favour when they sell them, or distribute them amongst their soldiers. They have destroyed Asia, from India, even to the Mediterranean; and all the country which forms the east of Persia they have made a desert.
This law of nations is owing, I think, to the following cause. This people having no towns, all their wars are carried on with eagerness and impetuosity. They fight whenever they hope to conquer; and when they have no such hopes; they join the stronger army. With such customs, it is contrary to their law of nations, that a city which cannot resist, should stop their progress. They regard not cities as an assembly of inhabitants, but as places made to set limits to their power. They besiege them without art, and ex-
