18 



ly to crumble beneath external influences and fertilize 

 the plain ; we will now trace, in the other, the process 

 of mental developments, as they have gradually, but 

 certainly advanced towards perfection and usefulness. 

 In this point of view, we proceed to institute a com- 

 parison of various characteristics of the religion, phi- 

 losophy, laws, scientific improvements, and social man- 

 ners of the human race. 



• Among .various traits distinguishing the present, 

 from past ages, we may mark, as most appropriate to 

 our subject, the fact that every modern improvement, 

 every new institution, every triumph of mind, indi- 

 cates a remarkable adaptation to the useful purposes 

 of life. We may therefore repeat the trite saying, 

 that the age of chivalry and romance is gone, without 

 mourning its absence. Endowed by nature with a 

 peculiar veneration for antiquity, we all indulge our- 

 selves in a species of poetic frenzy, with regard to the 

 men and institutions of the olden time. This may 

 arise from the fact, that our first conceptions of these 

 are obtained in youth, when the mind, full of warm 

 hope, and brilliant imagination, seizes hold upon the 

 circumstances having a tendency to excite these fa- 

 culties. A simple truth of history, like a single ray of 

 light separated in the phenomena of polarization, thus 

 produces various colors calculated to amuse the fancy. 

 It is reserved for an age, deeply reflective upon the 

 character of events to appreciate- the assertion, that 

 taking the same number of persons, and separating 

 from the history of former times their brilliant pageant- 

 ry — Take from their religion, its superstitious horrors, 

 and gorgeous ceremonies ; from war, its martial music 

 and splendid decorations; from their orators, the oc- 



