166 Progress and Civilisation. PT. m. 



these distinctions by the operation of compulsory 

 laws and artificial restrictions may retard the march 

 of Progress, but will inevitably fail of their object. 

 The political economist is no friend to a crowded 

 statute book, he has little belief in the efficacy of 

 compulsory enactments or arbitrary interferences 

 with the natural course of events. He appeals to 

 the experience of the last four hundred years, and 

 points out that while Governments have been occu- 

 pying themselves with little effect, or with an inju- 

 rious effect, in legislating on measures which have 

 chiefly for their object the possession or the transfer of 

 political power, those great social movements, that 

 mighty spread of scientific knowledge combined with 

 its practical application, which have changed the face 

 of the world and the position of Man on it, have 

 gone on quietly in effecting their wonderful changes 

 unperceived or disregarded by the rulers of nations. 

 The historian who should hereafter narrate the 

 events of the present century would, if he followed 

 the example of his predecessors, dwell with minute 

 accuracy upon the historical events which have been 

 crowded into this remarkable period. He would 

 describe the whirlwind of the first French Eevolu- 

 tion, he would delight to dwell upon the astonishing 



