Another collection of philosophical conferences of the French virtuosi upon questions of all sorts for the improving of natural knowledg made in the assembly of the Beaux Esprits at Paris by the most ingenious persons of that nation / render'd into English by G. Havers, Gent. & J. Davies ..., Gent.

CONFERENCE CLVII. Whether is better, to guard the Frontier, or carry the War into the Enemies Country. (Book 157)

PEace being the end of War, he manages War best that soonest attains that end. Now Peace is attain'd two ways; either by quelling the Enemies force; which seldom happens and is of long discussion between parties almost equal (as those that go to war commonly are, too great inequality presently

subduing the weak to the strong) or else by rendring all his at∣tempts ineffectual; and this is more easily done by expecting him firmly and resolutely, then by assaulting him at his own home, withall the inconveniences and incertainties that occur in remote expeditions. Moreover, every design ought to be render'd as infallible as is possible; yet so many unexpected dif∣ficulties arise in things which appear most easie, that we find by daily experience the Theory much different from the Practice. Which being presum'd certain, as indeed it is, none doubts but a Minister of State may better lay the plat-form of a design in a Country which is accessible to him and at his disposal; as al∣so that both the Leaders and Souldiers may better give and ex∣ecute Orders in a place where the Inhabitants are obedient and ready to contribute their care, pains, and money for promoting the projects which serve to the advancement of their party; then in places where they must depend upon the honesty of Guides, who are frequently deceivers or apt to be deceiv'd, and where all things are contrary. Besides, every one is more ardent and zealous for the preservation of his own Land, Wife and Children, yea and his own Life too, then for making designs upon the Life and Goods of others; in which case, besides the dubiousness of the event, the Souldiers are not sure that what they shall conquer shall remain their own; but they are certain that what they defend well will remain so, since it belongs to them already. Moreover, Histories inform us that of ten En∣terprises made in an Enemies Country scarce one hath happi∣ly succeed••••, nor one of ten Conquests been kept. Witness the late Invasions of the English and Spaniards in the Isles of Rhee, S. Honorat, and S. Marguerite, and more lately at Leucate. Add hereunto, that 'tis less chargeable to keep at home; and what is observ'd in private Duels is appliable to publick Wars: for of∣tentimes the more unskillful Combatant keeping his ground and expecting his Enemy, kills him. Besides, Defence carrying more justice with it then Invasion doth, it must also beget more confidence and boldness in the Defenders, and more diffidence and fear in the Invaders, who cannot fight with so good a Con∣science for what is possest by, and therefore justly presum'd to belong to others, whatever subtilty may be us'd to set up and colour a false title.

The Second compar'd him that invades an Enemies Country, and him that expects him in his own, to two Gamesters, one whereof having begun to win will no longer venture any thing of his own, and the other begins the Game with his own money. For the Assailant hazards nothing of his own, since he makes his Enemies Country the seat of the War and of the hazard which follows it. And whether you place the benefit and end of this War in the conquest of the Enemies Country, or in a just defence only, 'tis always more commodious, profitable, and glorious to attaque him at home, then to expect him at your

own doors. For, if you design to conquer, you must ne∣cessarily enter into his country to get possession; if only to de∣fend your self, then (as wise men chuse rather to divert and prevent diseases then to repel them already form'd, and as a Fire is more easily quencht in its first flame than when it hath seiz'd the roof and walls, so) 'tis easier to defend your own country by making a diversion upon that of the enemy than to expel in your own all the desolations that attend war, which you must suffer at home unless you remove it further. Besides, in forreign Counties the war almost pays its self, the Soldier lives as he list, enriches himself with the pillage of taken Towns, and so is less charge to his Prince. Yea, he becomes more valorous there too. For, as Antiperistasis redoubles the force of Natural A∣gents, so the approach of an enemie's country gives heart to the most cowardly, and renders others more disciplinable, as well knowing that they must look for help only from themselves. Hence Armies have prosper'd better in a strange Country than in their own. The Romans were always victorious out of Ita∣ly, but often beaten at home, and reduc'd to great extremities by the Gauls and Carthaginians; who likewise were always overcome in their own Country. Hence Alexander conquer'd more Kingdoms and Provinces by carrying his Arms into Asia, then his Father and all his Lieutenants won Towns in Greece; the English have been more fortunate in France then at home; and the Turks almost ever gain upon the Christians by assault∣ing Christendom. Yea Reputation, by which Kings reign, and Terror which half gets a victory, are always on the Aggres∣sor's side, whereas on the contrary nothing abates the courage more then to suffer the invaders to come to our houses, be∣cause the alacrity and promptitude of Soldiers is usually great∣est when acccompani'd with great hopes.

The third said, 'Tis impossible to determine any thing in this or any other political Questions, which are variable accord∣ding to diversity of Circumstances; The frontier of one State may be so safe that there is nothing to be fear'd at home from the enemy, against whom therefore all the seditious and turbu∣lent persons may be safely sent: Forreign War serving as a Sanctuary to bad Citizens, who fear the punishment of their crimes; in which respect it serves for a purgation and bleeding to the body Politick. Other States, there are which (like Re∣covering Persons, whose bodies are strong enough to support themselves, but not to assail other) no sooner take the field but discord and division arises at home, and so they incurr the re∣proach of the Astrologer who fell into a ditch whilst he was ga∣zing on the sky. Wherefore 'tis not more easie to resolve whe∣ther 'tis best to make war, neer-hand or afar off, without saying in what time, in what place, with what means and against what enemies, than to counsel a Tradesman whether he should keep or get, without knowing why and whether he hath money in

his purse or no. The Examples alledg'd on either side resemble the sound of those bells which accord with all Notes. Those that have prosper'd in conquering would possibly have got more if they had put themselves only upon the Defensive; and those that have been worsted in defending their own, perhaps did it too late, and (as it most frequently happens) when their for∣ces were impair'd. But it may be said of the French and all other warlike Nations that they are much fitter to attaque their enemy afar off then to support his irruptions in their own coun∣try; because the first requires such an ardor and impetuosity as is natural to them; and the second hath need of much patience, in which we have always been surmounted by Strangers, till that grand Genius of the State which animates it at this day mani∣fested that Conduct doth all both in war and peace.