This etext was prepared by Donald Lainson, charlie@idirect.com. THE RUINS, OR, MEDITATION ON THE REVOLUTIONS OF EMPIRES: AND THE LAW OF NATURE, by C. F. VOLNEY, COMTE ET PAIR DE FRANCE. COMMANDEUR DE LA LEGION D’HONNEUR, MEMBRE DE L’ACADEMIE FRANCAISE, ET DE PLUSIEURS AUTRES SOCIETES SAVANTES. DEPUTY TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF 1789, AND AUTHOR