LES IDÉES NAPOLEONIENNES

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regions previously given up to barbarism. Napoleon I., to a great extent, developed the principles of French democratic progress of European nationalities, and of industrial advancement on the Continent. His work was arrested, but his principles have, after a long interval, made themselves felt in the degree in which they are endowed with inherent force. His work has, in reference to these things, to a great extent reconstituted itself, and is at present better appreciated; and England, his most constant enemy, knows that her most menacing dangers are not to be looked for in "Les Idées Napoléoniennes." Even men of comparatively humble fortunes enjoy influence precisely in the degree in which they are suited to the times in which they live, and the nation to which they belong. It has not, however, been sufficiently noticed, that nations like individuals commonly command success in proportion to their adaptation to their epoch and circumstances. At this moment nations unhampered by feudal institutions, such as those destroyed in France, and which have made the largest advances in prac

tical freedom, wield the greatest strength, and of this the American Republic, France, and Britain, present the most remarkable instances. Serious as are their incumbrances, their productive powers and disposable might are yet greater in proportion. Prussia and Russia, whatever may be their political prospects, have no equal share of productive capacity or popular energy.

One nation above all others has been associated with the history of Civil and Religious Liberty; it has been interwoven with the annals of the Children of Israel, from the day when they demanded to be released from Egyptian bondage, in order to serve the Lord their God in the wilderness.

The sentiment of nationality among the Israelites has always centred in their religion; it has at all times been placed above, and has presided over their temporal concerns, and exerted a guardianship over the whole community. Victims formerly, more than any other race, of oppression and religious persecution, they have benefited more than any others from the establishment of toleration through

NATIONALITY OF THE ISRAELITES.

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out the civilised world, so far as it has been established, and from the security afforded for personal and political rights. In no family of mankind is that national feeling more potent which constitutes the inner life of a nation, as is plain enough if one of their prejudices is touched. Let but anyone propose to a Jew to bow down before a graven image, and he will soon ascertain whether national feeling still subsists, however he may have fancied that it had evaporated in consequence of the Jews being dispersed throughout all lands, and performing as they do the duties of citizenship wherever they are placed. This national feeling, instinct as it is with indestructible vitality, only needs to be turned once more towards the object of effecting a settlement in Palestine, and results may be expected to ensue, equally remarkable and equally durable as those which have already attested its strength in preserving the nation through all the persecutions and vicissitudes which it has experienced. It is understood that most Jews entertain the conviction that their nation is eventually to regain

possession of the "Holy Land," which they consider must ultimately belong to their race, having been promised to them as the descendants of Abraham, but that they are indisposed to purchase real property in Palestine, because of a belief that the Almighty keeps their country from them as a punishment for the conduct of their fathers. This belief, however, must necessarily vanish, so soon as circumstances indicate that it would be profitable to effect investments in the very locality where their ancestors resided in prosperity and wealth; for this would prove, that neither providential nor any other obstacles stood in the way of their taking whatever steps they deemed advisable. It is not easy to perceive any reason why profit should not attend the settlement of Southern Syria, if capital and population were directed thither, and those. conditions of security assured, which would result from a self-government established under the protection of Western Europe. It is, indeed, as certain as any deduction which can be made from political science, that the mere

SENTIMENTS OF THE JEWS.

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direction to Palestine of any considerable portion of the immense riches accumulated by Jewish capitalists during the last few years, and of the amount of immigration which this would command, must produce unusually large economical results.

National sentiment in any race almost invariably is associated with the territory to which their historical traditions are allied; aspirations are apt to be joined to traditions, and the Children of Israel entertain the warmest feelings respecting Palestine, as regards both the past to which they look back, and the future to which they look forward with sentiments which in each instance act as inspirations of practical and living force. If Palestine were again a region where commerce flourished, it does not follow that wealthy Israelites should wish to give up positions of influence and high station in other countries, in order to reside there, any more than wealthy Greeks would generally desire to give up a good standing in England in order to reside in Greece; their enthusiasm in connection with