EFFECTS OF THE CRUSADES. 631 



them for a time. Those who lived to return to their homes from the 

 successive expeditions spread abroad a more enlarged and correct con- 

 ception of Oriental countries, events, and men, the influence of which 

 was not lost to civilization. In his imprisonment in the fortress of 

 Dierstein, the lion-hearted Richard of England doubtless reflected that 

 there was more honor in the infidel Saladin than in many a Christian 

 king. It has not escaped the observation of historians that the frequent 

 communication which these events established between all parts of Eu- 

 rope and the Italian court served often to disturb the sentiment of piety. 

 The visitors at Rome saw things which had been better concealed. Their 

 unaffected simplicity was shocked by the dissipation and immoralities in 

 high places. They carried the shameful story to their homes. 



Among the unexpected and lasting advantages arising from the Cru- 

 sades, not one of which had been contemplated by the Ital- Advantages 

 ian court, may be enumerated more enlarged and liberal views derived from 

 of foreign nations, and the importation of Asiatic discoveries. 

 From the remote parts of that continent embassadors came to Italy, and 

 enterprising European travelers, like Marco Polo, wandered in return all 

 over it. In this manner the knowledge of the mariner's compass was 

 obtained. From having learned to employ their ships in warlike expe- 

 ditions, the Western nations were induced to enter on that career of mar- 

 itime commerce which soon led them to the discovery of America and 

 the doubling of the Cape of Good Hope, and which, in these times, con- 

 stitutes the chief feature of their life*. Trade, which until then had been 

 overland or terrestrial, became maritime a change important to the last 

 degree, since it eventually gave rise to the prodigious development of 

 manufacturing industry. Heavy masses of goods can never be trans- 

 ported by caravans, though they can easily in ships. The geographical 

 value of countries was changed. Egypt, for instance, lost her position, 

 not to be recovered again until the invention of the locomotive, which 

 will restore land-transport to its former state. Wealth poured into the 

 maritime states, and markets were sought for all over the globe. More- 

 over, the separate principalities and kingdoms were taught to act in uni- 

 son, and the idea of Europe united Europe was made manifest. As 

 a present advantage was realized the downfall of the feudal system, and, 

 as a direct consequence thereof, a redistribution of the population. To 

 this system, in its flourishing period, some have been disposed to impute 

 many benefits that it originated our domestic manners, gave birth to 

 the sentiment of loyalty and honor, cherished independence, and elevated 

 the female sex ; but these are misconceptions or exaggerations. In the 

 last particular, the advancement of women, the merit is strictly due to 

 the Church ; for, had there been no other reason, the universal preva- 

 lence of Mariolatry throughout Christendom, by diffusing a most accept- 



