Page:Affecting history of an inn-keeper in Normandy.pdf/14

(14) is a truth that need only be named. What but the introduction of luxury, the inſeparable concomitant of riches, by the great Cyrus himſelf, rendered his hardy followers effeminate, and in the ſequel proved the ſubverſion of his extenſive empire? Greece, the mother of heroes, while directed by the inſtitutes of the immortal Solon and Lycurgus, was always invincible; but no ſooner were they laid aſide, and an inſatiable thirſt for the Perſian gold engroſſed the minds of her leaders, than her aſpiring ſtruggles for liberty became languid, and ſhe fell an eaſy prey to the conqueror. Rome, the once miſtreſs of the world, likewiſe, in her turn, after extending her conqueſts to the "gorgeous eaſt," introduced into her commonwealth the baneful effects of riches, which, in like manner, proved fatal to her. Happy were theſe republics when an Ariſtides and a Fabricius were among their public directors!

Since powerful empires and states have thus fallen victims to the direful effects of riches, it naturally follows that private individuals must alſo have had their ſhare of misſortunes from the like cauſe. I ſhall not, however, trouble your readers with any more common-place hints from the historic page, but ſhall preſent you with a story which happened in private life, in which, in a striking manner, is exhibited the fatal effects of an immoderate attachment to this root of all evil.