The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

248 OBSERVATIONS ON A LIBEL.
and the best built plots of Europe, are in such mixed in the midst of a great honour or lordship;
estate, as a country is like to be in, that hath been so as their quiet is intermingled, not with jealousy
the seat of thirty years' war: and although the alone, but with restraint.
sea provinces be rather increased in wealth and The states of Germany have had for the most
shipping than otherwise; yet they cannot but part peaceable times; but yet they yield to the
mourn for their distraction from the rest of their state of England; not only in the great honour of
body. a great kingdom, they being of a mean style and
The kingdom of Portugal, which of late times, dignity, but also in many other respects, both of
through their merchandising and places in the wealth and policy.
East Indies, was grown to be an opulent king- The state of Savoy having been in the old
dorn, is now at the last, after the unfortunate duke's time governed in good prosperity, hath
journey of Afric, in that state as a country is like since (notwithstanding their new great alliance
to be, that is reduced under a foreigner by con- with Spain, whereupon they waxed insolent, to
quest; and such a foreigner as hath his competi- design to snatch up some piece of France, after
tor in title, being a natural Portugal and no the dishonourable repulse from the siege of
stranger; and having been once in possession, Geneva) been often distressed by a particular
yet in life: whereby his jealousy must necessa- gentleman of Dauphiny; and at this present day
rily be increased, and through his jealousy their the duke feeleth, even in Piedmont beyond the
oppression: which is apparent, by the carrying mountains, the weight of the same enemy; who
of many noble families out of their natural coun- hath lately shut up his gates and common entries
tries to live in exile, and by putting to death a between Savoy and Piedmont.
great number of noblemen, naturally born to have So as hitherto I do not see but that we are as
been principal governors of their countries. much bound to the mercies of God as any other
These are three afflicted parts of Christendom; nation; considering that the fires of dissension
the rest of the states enjoy either prosperity or and oppression in some parts of Christendom,
tolerable condition. may serve us for lights to show us our happiness
The kingdom of Scotland, though, at this pre- and the good estates of other places, which we do
sent, by the good regiment and wise proceeding congratulate with them for, is such, nevertheless,
of the king, they enjoy good quiet; yet since our as doth not stain and exceed ours; but rather doth
peace it hath passed through no small troubles, still leave somewhat, wherein we may acknowand remaineth full of boiling and swelling hu- ledge an ordinary benediction of God.
mours; but like, by the maturity of the said king Lastly, we do not much emulate the greatness
every day increasing, to be repressed. and glory of the Spaniards; who, having not only
The kingdom of Poland is newly recovered out excluded the purity of religion, but also fortified
of great wars about an ambiguous election. And, against it, by their device of the inquisition,
besides, is a state of that composition, that their which is a bulwark against the entrance of the
king being elective, they do commonly choose truth of God; having, in recompense of their new
rather a stranger than one of their own country: purchase of Portugal, lost a great part of their
a great exception to the flourishing estate of any ancient partrimonies of the Low Countries, bekingdom. ing of far greater commodity and value, or at the
The kingdom of Swedeland, besides their least holding part thereof in such sort as most of
foreign wars upon their confines, the Muscovites their other revenues are spent there upon their
and the Danes, hath been also subject to divers own; having lately, with much difficulty, rathei
intestine tumults and mutations, as their stories smoothed and skinned over, than healed and exdo record. tinguished the commotions of Arragon; having
The kingdom of Denmark hath had good rather sowed troubles in France, than reaped astimes, especially by the good government of the sured fruit thereof unto themselves; having
late king, who maintained the profession of the from the attempt of England received scorn and
gospel; but yet greatly giveth place to the king- disreputation; being at this time with the states
dom of England, in climate, wealth, fertility, of Italy rather suspected than either loved or
and many other points, both of honour and feared; having in Germany, and elsewhere,
strength. rather much practice, than any sound intelligence
The estates of Italy, which are not under the or amity; having no such clear succession as
dominion of Spain, have had peace equal in con- they need object, and reproach the uncertainty
tinuance with ours, except in regard of that which thereof unto another nation; have in the end won
hath passed between them and the Turk, which a reputation rather of ambition than justice;
hath sorted to their honour and commendation; and, in the pursuit of their ambition, rather of
but yet they are so bridled and overawed by the much enterprising than of fortunate achieving;
Spaniard, that possesseth the two principal mem- and in their enterprising, rather of doing things
bers thereof, and that in the two extreme parts, by treasure and expense, than by forces and
as they be like quillets of freehold, being inter- valour.