G2 DISCOURSES OF FATHER HYACINTHE. 



depths the secret of its origin and of its superhuman 

 destiny. 



Gods at its foundations — gods at its hill-tops — such 

 ■was the old Italic commonwealth. It was from wells 

 of tradition like these that Eome drew the strength 

 that made her great, and became her enduring name. 

 Founded by a gang of robbers and adventurers, she be- 

 came the mistress of the world only when she had laid 

 herself on her own altars, and consecrated the patriotism 

 of her sons in acts of impassioned -worship. 



[Doubtless idolaliy is a mad and guilty error. Nevertheless, 

 under these perverted symbols were concealed great truths, often 

 even great natural virtues, and this is the way in which it has 

 been possible for false religions to contribute to the prosperity of 

 families and States. Between the perversion of the religious sen- 

 timent, which is idolatry, and its utter extirpation, which is at the 

 root of rationalism, patriotism cannot hesitate which to choose.] 



2. History since Christ. 



We are proud of our modern civilization, and with 

 good reason ; but we are not half enough familiar with 

 the sources of it. A pen not less erudite than eloquent 

 has lately exhibited them to us in a book which the fu- 

 ture will think shame of us for having only half under- 

 stood. I mean '' The Monks of the AVest.'''* It is dis- 

 covered that the history of these monks was the history 

 of the West itself, and that in its cradle, if I might so 

 npeak, Europe was wrapped in monks' robes and grew 

 up under tlieir discipline. England, particularly, that 

 classic land of liljerty, has been plainly proved to be 

 now bearing, in its institutions and its character, the 

 livwly impress of monastic life, tlio laws and usages of 



* Lc? Mu'uies (V Occident, ')V Muntnlcmbert. 



