moiished empire , a subjugated world, attest the energy of 

 its action. The existence-of the individual is here merged 

 in that of his nation. It is that, that inscribes its achieve- 

 ments in living lines on this page of the history of our race, 

 investing this era with a nationality, rather than an individu-. 

 ality, of character ; rendering it resplendent from the display 

 of national glory ;■ imposing from the exhibition of national 



In central and western Europe we are to find tliat portion 

 of our world's surface devoted to a new era, characterized 

 by the movement of a new spirit. In the preceding era "we 

 had seen the arts and philosophy separated from the other el- 

 ements, and, to a very considerable extent, developed by the 

 Greek and Roman spirit. We had seen industry, govern- 

 ment, and religion, still bound together by the ties of a strong 

 and almost indissoluble union. In Uie era to which we have 

 now arrived, we are to witness the efforts of industry in ef- 

 fecting its reparation frcfm the remaining primary elements, 

 and its consequent developement, leaving only government 

 and religion in a state of combination. This effort of indus- 

 try brings to light the powers and energies of man as an in- 

 dividual, and from their freedom and vigor in action arises 

 the distinctive spirit of this era. This truth is deeply en- 

 graven .on every page of modern European history. It- is 

 told in the insubordination of its earlier periods ; in the an- 

 archy of the middle ages ; .in the necessity that originated 

 the feudal system ; in the strong effort, finally successl"ul, by 

 which iXs bonds were sundered, and vassalage thrown off; in 

 the curious institution of chivalry ; and in that singular fa- 

 naticism that prompted the monk to abandon the solitude of 

 his cloister, the peasant the homely delights of his cottage, 

 and the prince the splendor of his palace, to wrest the Holy 

 Land from the dominion of Infidels. Tru J, this Spirit has been 

 both u'Brlike and peaceful. At one . time it has appealed to 

 the sword as the sovereign arbiter of individual right at an- 

 other pursued the even tenor of its way under the quiet sanc- 

 tion of law. It was, nevertheless, the same spirit still. Its 



