France
France - La Belle France, is as all the world knows, the greatest European nation. Since the Middle Ages she has been the admired mistress of all the arts of civilisation, as much emulated in peace as she was feared in war - mighty, rich and populous.
Sadly of late she is declined a little. First her people, strangely intent on destroying their own happiness, gave themselves up to Atheism and Republicanism: then they set the seal upon their misfortunes by chusing Napoleon Buonaparte as their master. War with every other part of Europe naturally followed.
And yet we observe that, even while plunged in the desperate struggle of subduing much of the Continent, the French unfailingly continued to supply the polite world with its necessaries (such as fashion - brandy - books - plays - charming ladies - gossip, and so forth); and even those who profess themselves their enemies are quick to learn of any new development which has excited the interest or admiration of that lively race. Any eclipse in their fortunes can be but temporary.