Page:The Prince.djvu/140

Rh new parties; and as you can neither content ner destroy them, you will lose this conquest on the first and frequently.on the slightest occasion.

But if you examine what was the nature of Darius's government, you will find it similar to that of Turkey. Thus Alexandor was obliged to attack him in the most rapid manner, and in every part, to prevent him from keeping the field. after victory and Darius's death, this kingdom remained with Alexander, without any fear of losing it again from the reasons we have before given: and if his successors had been united, they would have enjoyed it as peaceably; in fact, this empire gave rise to no other troubles than those whhich they themselves excited in it.

But kingdoms governed like France we cannot hope to possess so peaceably. The frequent insurrections of Spain, of the Gauls and of Greece, against the Romans were entirelyowing to the number of petty princes with which these states abounded. So long as the first race subsisted, the possession of this country by the Romans was wavering and uncertain; but these lords once destroyed, and their power effaced even from the memory, the strength of the Romans and the continuity of their domination rendered them secure possessors of it: these princes might'afterwards be divided and fight with each other, as each of them formed pretensions to such part of these provinces according