"`Tis a glorious view," he said; "the world does not contain a site
better fitted for the seat of a mighty city. Nature seems to have
marked it out. With the great rock fortress, the splendid bays
and harbours, the facilities for commerce, the fertile country
stretching away on either hand; give her but a government strong,
capable, and honest, a people patriotic, brave, and devoted, and
Carthage would long remain the mistress of the world."

"Surely she may yet remain so," Adherbal exclaimed.

"I fear not," Hamilcar said gravely, shaking his head. "It seems
to be the fate of all nations, that as they grow in wealth so they
lose their manly virtues. With wealth comes corruption, indolence,
a reluctance to make sacrifices, and a weakening of the feeling
of patriotism. Power falls into the hands of the ignorant many.
Instead of the destinies of the country being swayed by the wisest
and best, a fickle multitude, swayed by interested demagogues,
assumes the direction of affairs, and the result is inevitable --
wasted powers, gross mismanagement, final ruin."

So saying Hamilcar set his horse in motion and, followed silently
by his companions, rode with a gloomy countenance after his little
columns towards the capital.



CHAPTER III: CARTHAGE