The Ruins | Page 8

account has all the qualities that persuade--accuracy and
candor. And when, ten years later, a vast military enterprise transported
forty thousand travellers to the classic ground, which he had trod
unattended, unarmed and unprotected, they all recognized a sure guide
and an enlightened observer in the writer who had, as it seemed, only
preceded them to remove or point out a part of the difficulties of the
way.
The unanimous testimony of all parties proved the accuracy of his
account and the justness of his observations; and his Travels in Egypt

and Syria were, by universal suffrage, recommended to the gratitude
and the confidence of the public.
Before the work had undergone this trial it had obtained in the learned
world such a rapid and general success, that it found its way into Russia.
The empress, then (in 1787) upon the throne, sent the author a medal,
which he received with respect, as a mark of esteem for his talents, and
with gratitude, as a proof of the approbation given to his principles. But
when the empress declared against France, Volney sent back the
honorable present, saying: "If I obtained it from her esteem, I can only
preserve her esteem by returning it."
The revolution of 1789, which had drawn upon France the menaces of
Catharine, had opened to Volney a political career. As deputy in the
assembly of the states-general, the first words he uttered there were in
favor of the publicity of their deliberations. He also supported the
organization of the national guards, and that of the communes and
departments.
At the period when the question of the sale of the domain lands was
agitated (in 1790), he published an essay in which he lays down the
following principles: "The force of a State is in proportion to its
population; population is in proportion to plenty; plenty is in proportion
to tillage; and tillage, to personal and immediate interest, that is to the
spirit of property. Whence it follows, that the nearer the cultivator
approaches the passive condition of a mercenary, the less industry and
activity are to be expected from him; and, on the other hand, the nearer
he is to the condition of a free and entire proprietor, the more extension
he gives to his own forces, to the produce of his lands, and the general
prosperity of the State."
The author draws this conclusion, that a State is so much the more
powerful as it includes a greater number of proprietors,--that is, a
greater division of property.
Conducted into Corsica by that spirit of observation which belongs
only to men whose information is varied and extensive, he perceived at
the first glance all that could be done for the improvement of
agriculture in that country: but he knew that, for a people firmly
attached to ancient customs, there can exist no other demonstration or
means of persuasion than example. He purchased a considerable estate,
and made experiments on those kinds of tillage that he hoped to

naturalize in that climate. The sugar-cane, cotton, indigo and coffee
soon demonstrated the success of his efforts. This success drew upon
him the notice of the government. He was appointed director of
agriculture and commerce in that island, where, through ignorance, all
new methods are introduced with such difficulty.
It is impossible to calculate all the good that might have resulted from
this peaceable magistracy; and we know that neither instruction, zeal,
nor a persevering courage was wanting to him who had undertaken it.
Of this he had given convincing proofs. It was in obedience to another
sentiment, no less respectable, that he voluntarily interrupted the course
of his labors. When his fellow citizens of Angers appointed him their
deputy in the constituent assembly, he resigned the employment he
held under government, upon the principle that no man can represent
the nation and be dependent for a salary upon those by whom it is
administered.
Through respect for the independence of his legislative functions, he
had ceased to occupy the place he possessed in Corsica before his
election, but he had not ceased to be a benefactor of that country. He
returned thither after the session of the constituent assembly. Invited
into that island by the principal inhabitants, who were anxious to put
into practice his lessons, he spent there a part of the years 1792 and
1793.
On his return he published a work entitled: An Account of the Present
State of Corsica. This was an act of courage; for it was not a physical
description, but a political review of the condition of a population
divided into several factions and distracted by violent animosities.
Volney unreservedly revealed the abuses, solicited the interest of
France in favor of the Corsicans, without flattering them, and boldly
denounced their defects and vices;