The recent devastations committed by the Prussians furnished a specimen of these.

The horrors of war would always impend over them, till Germany were seized and divided by Austrian and Prussian tyrants; an event which he strongly suspected was at no great distance.

But setting these considerations aside, was it laudable to grasp at wealth and power even when they were within our reach?
Were not these the two great sources of depravity?
What security had he, that in this change of place and condition, he should not degenerate into a tyrant and voluptuary?
Power and riches were chiefly to be dreaded on account of their tendency to deprave the possessor.

He held them in abhorrence, not only as instruments of misery to others, but to him on whom they were conferred.

Besides, riches were comparative, and was he not rich already?
He lived at present in the bosom of security and luxury.