728 INFLUENCE OF BAD LAWS. 



gious intolerance, will counteract the noblest gifts 

 of nature, and plunge into ignorance, degradation, 

 and weakness, nations capable of the highest 

 culture, the most splendid moral and intellectual 

 achievements." If the climates of India and 

 China are less favourable to a high developement 

 of physical, intellectual, and moral endowments, 

 than those of Europe, the inhabitants have also 

 been kept stationary for the last 2000 years by 

 the institution of casts, and the misfortune of a 

 hieroglyphic language ; so that the finest portions 

 of Asia are buried in profound darkness, and 

 prevented from improving their condition ; while 

 in Russia, the mass of the people have been 

 hitherto degraded to the condition of serfs, and 

 sold with the estates on which they labour, like 

 beasts of burden. 



