138 Progress and Civilisation. PT. m. 



are traceable in the different nations of the 

 globe. 



One of the most remarkable of these is the 

 Oriental or Asiatic type. This is the largest of the 

 four quarters into which geographers have divided 

 the World. It is probably the most anciently in- 

 habited, and it is to this day by far the most populous 

 in the globe. Throughout the whole extent of 

 this region, from the beginning of time, certain 

 defined characteristics are and have been always 

 apparent. Montesquieu remarks that, while honour 

 is the principle of European monarchies, and virtue 

 the principle which ought to govern republics 

 whether ancient or modern, fear is the universal 

 principle in despotic Asia. Of the truth of this 

 last statement I think there can be little doubt. 

 Whether in the most eastern portions of China, 

 'Siarn, or Burmah, or in all the countries under the 

 Mussulman sway, extending to Persia, Turkey, and 

 the shores of the Mediterranean there is an unvarying 

 uniformity of despotism. Everywhere fear is para- 

 mount, everywhere fear is the ruling principle. 

 Asiatic nations never seem to have been inspired by 

 any of the loftier motives which animate Europeans. 

 We cannot recognise among them patriotism, or 



