Checking for empty .txt file

[Mybowlcut]

#include <fstream>
#include <iterator>
#include <algorithm>
#include <string>

// Reads data from a file.
//  - Requires that Object has an overloaded >> operator.
//  - Returns a Container of Objects.
//  - Returns early if file is empty.
template <typename Object, typename Container>
Container read_data(std::istream& file)
{
  Container v;

  if(file.eof())
  { // Empty; return early.
    return v;
  }

  std::copy(
    std::istream_iterator<Object>(file),
    std::istream_iterator<Object>(),
    std::back_inserter(v));

  return v;
}

Hey. I've got this function.. I'm trying to test if the file passed in is completely empty... if it is, I return early for certain reasons. I'm just wondering how I can do this in the most elegant way... what I have above (in bold) doesn't work. I debugged it and the if statement body never gets reached.

Cheers.