Page:Montesquieu - The spirit of laws.djvu/253

Rh the Carthaginians, a people spread all over the earth, be ignorant of what was transacting in Italy? No: they were sufficiently acquainted with it, and for that reason they did not care to send supplies to Hannibal.

Hanno became more resolute after the battle of Trebia, after the battle of Thrasimenus, after that of Cannæ; it was not his incredulity that increased, but his fear.

HERE is still another inconveniency in conquests made by democracies: their government is always odious to the conquered states. It is apparently monarchical: but in reality it is much more oppressive than monarchy, as the experience of all ages and countries evinces.

The conquered people are in a melancholy situation; they neither enjoy the advantages of a republic, nor those of a monarchy.

What has been here said of a popular state, is applicable to aristocracy.

HEN a republic therefore keeps another nation in subjection, it should endeavour to repair the inconveniencies arising from the nature of its situation, by giving it good laws both for the political and civil government of the people. Rh