protect it by multiplying points of safety--is to be found the key to
much of the history, as well as of the policy, of nations bordering
upon the sea. The policy has varied both with the spirit of the age
and with the character and clear-sightedness of the rulers; but the
history of the seaboard nations has been less determined by the
shrewdness and foresight of governments than by conditions of
position, extent, configuration, number and character of their people,
--by what are called, in a word, natural conditions. It must however
be admitted, and will be seen, that the wise or unwise action of
individual men has at certain periods had a great modifying influence
upon the growth of sea power in the broad sense, which includes not
only the military strength afloat, that rules the sea or any part of
it by force of arms, but also the peaceful commerce and shipping from
which alone a military fleet naturally and healthfully springs, and on
which it securely rests.

The principal conditions affecting the sea power of nations may be
enumerated as follows I. Geographical Position. II. Physical
Conformation, including, as connected therewith, natural productions
and climate. III. Extent of Territory. IV. Number of Population. V.
Character of the People. VI. Character of the Government, including
therein the national institutions.

I. Geographical Position.--It may be pointed out, in the first place,
that if a nation be so situated that it is neither forced to defend
itself by land nor induced to seek extension of its territory by way
of the land, it has, by the very unity of its aim directed upon the
sea, an advantage as compared with a people one of whose boundaries is
continental. This has been a great advantage to England over both
France and Holland as a sea power. The strength of the latter was