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cover
The Complete Works of Montesquieu. Electronic Edition.
cover
Volume II.
Body
BOOK XXIII.: OF LAWS IN THE RELATION THEY BEAR TO THE NUMBER OF INHABITANTS.
CHAP. XXV.: The same Subject continued.

CHAP. XXV.: The same Subject continued.

EUROPE, it is true, has for these two ages past greatly increased its navigation: this has both procured and deprived it of inhabitants. Holland sends every year a great number of mariners to the Indies; of whom not above two thirds return: the rest either perish or settle in the Indies. The same thing must happen to every other nation concerned in that trade.

We must not judge of Europe as of a particular state engaged alone in an extensive navigation. This state would increase in people, because all the neighbouring nations would endeavour to have a share in this commerce; and mariners would arrive from all parts. Europe, separated from the rest of the world by religion†350, by vast seas and deserts, cannot be repaired in this manner.