Page:Thoughts on a French invasion.pdf/15

          to the people of Great Britain              15

ion with many, that the French are now what their ancestors were in the time of Cæsar; “ that in the first “ onset they are more than men, but in the second less “ than women.’' But it appears to me, I must con- fess, that in this war the French have sustained with courage many onsets:—praise is due to the gallantry even of an enemy. But if I were asked, whether an equal number of British would beat these con- querors of Italy, I would answer, as an Englilh am- bassador answered a King of Prussia, when, at a review of his forces, he asked the ambassador, “ Whether he “ thought that an equal number of Englishmen could “ beat his Pruffians:“ I cannot till (replied the ambassador) whether an equal number would beat them; but I am certain half the number would try.” —-I have the firmest confidence that fifty thousand British, fighting for their wives and children, for their liberty and property, as individuals, for the in- dependence and constitution of their country, would, without hesitation,. attack an hundred thousand Frenchmen.

If Ireland be the object of invasion, France may flat- ter herself, perhaps, with the expectation of being more favourably received there than in Great Britain; but I trust she will be equally disappointed in both countries, I mean not to enter into the politics of Ireland; but considering her as a sister kingdom, 1 cannot wholly omit adverting to her situation.

I look upon Britain and Ireland as two bodies which are grown together, with different members and organs of sense, but nourished by the circulation of the same blood : whilst they continue united they will live and prosper; but if they suffer themselves to be separated by the force or cunning of an enemy; if they quarrel and tear themselves asunder, both will instantly perish. Would to God, that there were equity and moderation enough among the nations of the earth, to suffer small states to enjoy their independence ; but the history of the world is little else than the history of great states sacrificing small ones to their avarice or ambition; and the present designs of France, throughout Europe, confirm