38 
A passing reference only is needed to the literature and phil- 
osophy of Rome, and the virtues of self-restraint, discipline 
and courage of which the Roman was the embodiment. It is 
in the realm of Jurisprudence in which Roman Literature 
acquired an entirely peculiar character, that the permanent 
influence of Rome is discernible. Roman Law, the digest 
of Justinian, was introduced into almost all the countries of 
Europe. It has exerted a remarkable influence ; it may be 
formally abolished, but its effects are as permanent as Grecian 
art. Such is the nature of great agents which are beyond 
the power of human control. 
Again, the sacred torch of learning in mediaeval times was 
kept alight not by the great monarchies but by the city states 
of Northern Italy. What the world would have become 
without the Etruscan cities is not to be calculated ! Arts 
and sciences first revived here and commenced the regeneration 
of Europe. Refinement, genius and taste rendered the age 
of Lorenzo de Medici one of the most brilliant in history, 
and took root so deeply as to be still conspicuous in the city 
where he ruled. The names of the silent immortal geniuses 
in sculpture are of universal knowledge, and the architectural 
inspiration which produced the monuments and cathedrals 
continues to be an object of wonder. 
Venice also deserves recognition for the encouragement 
she gave to the Renascence and the welcome to the printing 
press, for the Venetian school of painters and the secret of 
painting in oils, culminating in a Titian and a Tintoretto. 
Let us consider some more modern illustrations, com- 
mencing from the small community known as the Swiss. 
Switzerland may be regarded as an epitome of civilised Europe, 
for we see here in miniature all the parties, theories and pre- 
tensions which agitate larger states both nationally and 
internationally. It consists of 3,000,000 people, divided into 
22 distinct and separate cantons, each with its own govern- 
ment. How monumental is the history of these independent 
states ! Here commenced in earnest the Reformation of 
Europe, and Zurich in 1523 became the first reformed state. 
The literature of Geneva and Zurich and the apostles there- 
from reformed Europe in the sixteenth century. Switzerland 
gave asylum to political refugees through the ages, and 
its people remain to-day a highly independent and intellectual 
people. In the eighteenth century in almost every department 
of human knowledge they acquired a distinguished reputation 
at home and abroad, producing great philosophers of whom 
Rousseau and Pestalozzi are the best examples. It seems 
