Such, too, was the feeling of
that extraordinary man, who, with the solitary exception of England,
exacted homage from every crowned head of Europe. This man, in the
plenitude of his power, felt that something was still wanting to
enable him to grapple with one little island, invulnerable by its
maritime strength, the sinews of which he knew to be derived from its
colonies: he felt that, deprived as he was of "ships, colonies, and
commerce," England was able to stand alone among nations, and to bid
defiance to his overwhelming power. That cunning fox, too, by whose
councils he was occasionally guided, knew too well the degree of
strength that England derived from her colonies, which he described to
be her very vitals, and which could only be reached by a powerful
navy. He designated them as the sheet anchor of Great Britain--the
prop that supported her maritime superiority--the strongholds of her
power. "Deprive her of her colonies," said Talleyrand. "and you break
down her last wall; you fill up her last ditch."--_Fas est et ab hoste
doceri.--Quarterly Review_.
* * * * *
INVITATIONS.
As a certificate of your intention to be punctual, you may send your
friends, a similar billet to the following:--
My dear Sir,
The honour of your company is requested to dine with ---- on _Fry_day,
1828.
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