TURKEY IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. go THE EDITOR OF THE
" SPECTATOR.") SIR,—Will you let me lay before your readers a passage from a. book that is full of wise judgments, set off by a noble rhetoric, "A Survey of History ; or, a Nursery for the Gentrie," by Richard Brathwait ?— 4' And certainly, whosoever should but read the desolations of the- mightiest Empires, or their rising, shall see some appearance of causes proceeding from their government, occasions of their glory, or mine. Nor can we (without cause) admire the erec- tion and establishing of the Turkish Empire, her many dilated Provinces, extended Confines, and almost Sovereigns command in the Eastern° parts. Let us but consider their politick government, subjecting all Lewes of Conscience, or Religion, to the furthering of their dosignes; planting their seat (maugre the fury of all opponents) in those flowery and spacious territories where once the sanctified feete of the sacred Apostles used to tread. Yet in their policies (because not proportionate to vertue) shall they bee subverted. They have erected themselves to an exceeding height (with the Gyants, menacing the fabricke of heaven) ; but their fall will be more miserable by how much they be of miseries more incapable. For that Kingdom° which is not established in peace, shall be ruined by warre ; and where vertu() had not her predominance, there shall the illimited range of vice take- her residence ; and where shee is an inhabitant, there is imminent desolation menaced. To make explanation of causes in this were need- lease, because the Sesta of such a government is the occasion of her fall: For ruins and extirpation have ever followed Impious Governours at the heeles."—(Edition of 1638, pp. 266 and 267.)
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