第45章
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  This,itmaybesaid,canonlybeapplicabletothosemembersofthecommunitywhoareinhumblecircumstances;

  wealthierindividualswilldisplaytastesakintothosewhichbelongedtotheminaristocraticages。Icontesttheproposition:inpointofphysicalgratifications,themostopulentmembersofademocracywillnotdisplaytastesverydifferentfromthoseofthepeople;whetheritbethat,springingfromthepeople,theyreallysharethosetastes,orthattheyesteemitadutytosubmittothem。Indemocraticsocietythesensualityofthepublichastakenamoderateandtranquilcourse,towhichallareboundtoconform:itisasdifficulttodepartfromthecommonrulebyone’svicesasbyone’svirtues。

  Richmenwholiveamidstdemocraticnationsarethereforemoreintentonprovidingfortheirsmallestwantsthanfortheirextraordinaryenjoyments;theygratifyanumberofpettydesires,withoutindulginginanygreatirregularitiesofpassion:thustheyaremoreapttobecomeenervatedthandebauched。

  Theespecialtastewhichthemenofdemocraticagesentertainforphysicalenjoymentsisnotnaturallyopposedtotheprinciplesofpublicorder;nay,itoftenstandsinneedoforderthatitmaybegratified。Norisitadversetoregularityofmorals,forgoodmoralscontributetopublictranquillityandarefavorabletoindustry。Itmayevenbefrequentlycombinedwithaspeciesofreligiousmorality:menwishtobeaswelloffastheycaninthisworld,withoutforegoingtheirchanceofanother。

  Somephysicalgratificationscannotbeindulgedinwithoutcrime;

  fromsuchtheystrictlyabstain。Theenjoymentofothersissanctionedbyreligionandmorality;tothesetheheart,theimagination,andlifeitselfareunreservedlygivenup;till,insnatchingattheselessergifts,menlosesightofthosemorepreciouspossessionswhichconstitutethegloryandthegreatnessofmankind。ThereproachIaddresstotheprincipleofequality,isnotthatitleadsmenawayinthepursuitofforbiddenenjoyments,butthatitabsorbsthemwhollyinquestofthosewhichareallowed。Bythesemeans,akindofvirtuousmaterialismmayultimatelybeestablishedintheworld,whichwouldnotcorrupt,butenervatethesoul,andnoiselesslyunbenditsspringsofaction。

  ChapterXII:CausesOfFanaticalEnthusiasmInSomeAmericansAlthoughthedesireofacquiringthegoodthingsofthisworldistheprevailingpassionoftheAmericanpeople,certainmomentaryoutbreaksoccur,whentheirsoulsseemsuddenlytoburstthebondsofmatterbywhichtheyarerestrained,andtosoarimpetuouslytowardsheaven。InalltheStatesoftheUnion,butespeciallyinthehalf—peopledcountryoftheFarWest,wanderingpreachersmaybemetwithwhohawkaboutthewordofGodfromplacetoplace。Wholefamilies—oldmen,women,andchildren—crossroughpassesanduntroddenwilds,comingfromagreatdistance,tojoinacamp—meeting,wheretheytotallyforgetforseveraldaysandnights,inlisteningtothesediscourses,thecaresofbusinessandeventhemosturgentwantsofthebody。Hereandthere,inthemidstofAmericansociety,youmeetwithmen,fullofafanaticalandalmostwildenthusiasm,whichhardlyexistsinEurope。Fromtimetotimestrangesectsarise,whichendeavortostrikeoutextraordinarypathstoeternalhappiness。ReligiousinsanityisverycommonintheUnitedStates。

  Noroughtthesefactstosurpriseus。Itwasnotmanwhoimplantedinhimselfthetasteforwhatisinfiniteandtheloveofwhatisimmortal:thoseloftyinstinctsarenottheoffspringofhiscapriciouswill;theirsteadfastfoundationisfixedinhumannature,andtheyexistinspiteofhisefforts。Hemaycrossanddistortthem—destroythemhecannot。Thesoulhaswantswhichmustbesatisfied;andwhateverpainsbetakentodivertitfromitself,itsoongrowsweary,restless,anddisquietedamidsttheenjoymentsofsense。Ifeverthefacultiesofthegreatmajorityofmankindwereexclusivelybentuponthepursuitofmaterialobjects,itmightbeanticipatedthatanamazingreactionwouldtakeplaceinthesoulsofsomemen。Theywoulddriftatlargeintheworldofspirits,forfearofremainingshackledbytheclosebondageofthebody。

  Itisnotthenwonderfulif,inthemidstofacommunitywhosethoughtstendearthward,asmallnumberofindividualsaretobefoundwhoturntheirlookstoheaven。Ishouldbesurprisedifmysticismdidnotsoonmakesomeadvanceamongstapeoplesolelyengagedinpromotingitsownworldlywelfare。ItissaidthatthedesertsoftheThebaidwerepeopledbythepersecutionsoftheemperorsandthemassacresoftheCircus;I

  shouldrathersaythatitwasbytheluxuriesofRomeandtheEpicureanphilosophyofGreece。Iftheirsocialcondition,theirpresentcircumstances,andtheirlawsdidnotconfinethemindsoftheAmericanssocloselytothepursuitofworldlywelfare,itisprobablethattheywoulddisplaymorereserveandmoreexperiencewhenevertheirattentionisturnedtothingsimmaterial,andthattheywouldcheckthemselveswithoutdifficulty。Buttheyfeelimprisonedwithinboundswhichtheywillapparentlyneverbeallowedtopass。Assoonastheyhavepassedthesebounds,theirmindsknownotwheretofixthemselves,andtheyoftenrushunrestrainedbeyondtherangeofcommon—sense。

  ChapterXIII:CausesOfTheRestlessSpiritOfAmericansInTheMidstOfTheirProsperityIncertainremotecornersoftheOldWorldyoumaystillsometimesstumbleuponasmalldistrictwhichseemstohavebeenforgottenamidstthegeneraltumult,andtohaveremainedstationarywhilsteverythingarounditwasinmotion。Theinhabitantsareforthemostpartextremelyignorantandpoor;

  theytakenopartinthebusinessofthecountry,andtheyarefrequentlyoppressedbythegovernment;yettheircountenancesaregenerallyplacid,andtheirspiritslight。InAmericaIsawthefreestandmostenlightenedmen,placedinthehappiestcircumstanceswhichtheworldaffords:itseemedtomeasifacloudhabituallyhungupontheirbrow,andIthoughtthemseriousandalmostsadevenintheirpleasures。Thechiefreasonofthiscontrastisthattheformerdonotthinkoftheillstheyendure—thelatterareforeverbroodingoveradvantagestheydonotpossess。ItisstrangetoseewithwhatfeverishardortheAmericanspursuetheirownwelfare;andtowatchthevaguedreadthatconstantlytormentsthemlesttheyshouldnothavechosentheshortestpathwhichmayleadtoit。AnativeoftheUnitedStatesclingstothisworld’sgoodsasifhewerecertainnevertodie;andheissohastyingraspingatallwithinhisreach,thatonewouldsupposehewasconstantlyafraidofnotlivinglongenoughtoenjoythem。Heclutcheseverything,heholdsnothingfast,butsoonloosenshisgrasptopursuefreshgratifications。

  IntheUnitedStatesamanbuildsahousetospendhislatteryearsinit,andhesellsitbeforetheroofison:heplantsagarden,andletsitjustasthetreesarecomingintobearing:hebringsafieldintotillage,andleavesothermentogatherthecrops:heembracesaprofession,andgivesitup:hesettlesinaplace,whichhesoonafterwardsleaves,tocarryhischangeablelongingselsewhere。Ifhisprivateaffairsleavehimanyleisure,heinstantlyplungesintothevortexofpolitics;

  andifattheendofayearofunremittinglaborhefindshehasafewdays’vacation,hiseagercuriositywhirlshimoverthevastextentoftheUnitedStates,andhewilltravelfifteenhundredmilesinafewdays,toshakeoffhishappiness。Deathatlengthovertakeshim,butitisbeforeheiswearyofhisbootlesschaseofthatcompletefelicitywhichisforeveronthewing。

  Atfirstsightthereissomethingsurprisinginthisstrangeunrestofsomanyhappymen,restlessinthemidstofabundance。

  Thespectacleitselfishoweverasoldastheworld;thenoveltyistoseeawholepeoplefurnishanexemplificationofit。TheirtasteforphysicalgratificationsmustberegardedastheoriginalsourceofthatsecretinquietudewhichtheactionsoftheAmericansbetray,andofthatinconstancyofwhichtheyaffordfreshexampleseveryday。Hewhohassethisheartexclusivelyuponthepursuitofworldlywelfareisalwaysinahurry,forhehasbutalimitedtimeathisdisposaltoreachit,tograspit,andtoenjoyit。Therecollectionofthebrevityoflifeisaconstantspurtohim。Besidesthegoodthingswhichhepossesses,heeveryinstantfanciesathousandotherswhichdeathwillpreventhimfromtryingifhedoesnottrythemsoon。Thisthoughtfillshimwithanxiety,fear,andregret,andkeepshismindinceaselesstrepidation,whichleadshimperpetuallytochangehisplansandhisabode。Ifinadditiontothetasteforphysicalwell—beingasocialconditionbesuperadded,inwhichthelawsandcustomsmakenoconditionpermanent,hereisagreatadditionalstimulanttothisrestlessnessoftemper。Menwillthenbeseencontinuallytochangetheirtrack,forfearofmissingtheshortestcuttohappiness。Itmayreadilybeconceivedthatifmen,passionatelybentuponphysicalgratifications,desireeagerly,theyarealsoeasilydiscouraged:

  astheirultimateobjectistoenjoy,themeanstoreachthatobjectmustbepromptandeasy,orthetroubleofacquiringthegratificationwouldbegreaterthanthegratificationitself。

  Theirprevailingframeofmindthenisatonceardentandrelaxed,violentandenervated。Deathisoftenlessdreadedthanperseveranceincontinuouseffortstooneend。

  TheequalityofconditionsleadsbyastillstraighterroadtoseveraloftheeffectswhichIhaveheredescribed。Whenalltheprivilegesofbirthandfortuneareabolished,whenallprofessionsareaccessibletoall,andaman’sownenergiesmayplacehimatthetopofanyoneofthem,aneasyandunboundedcareerseemsopentohisambition,andhewillreadilypersuadehimselfthatheisborntonovulgardestinies。Butthisisanerroneousnotion,whichiscorrectedbydailyexperience。Thesameequalitywhichallowseverycitizentoconceivetheseloftyhopes,rendersallthecitizenslessabletorealizethem:itcircumscribestheirpowersoneveryside,whilstitgivesfreerscopetotheirdesires。Notonlyaretheythemselvespowerless,buttheyaremetateverystepbyimmenseobstacles,whichtheydidnotatfirstperceive。Theyhavesweptawaytheprivilegesofsomeoftheirfellow—creatureswhichstoodintheirway,buttheyhaveopenedthedoortouniversalcompetition:thebarrierhaschangeditsshaperatherthanitsposition。Whenmenarenearlyalike,andallfollowthesametrack,itisverydifficultforanyoneindividualtowalkquickandcleaveawaythroughthedensethrongwhichsurroundsandpresseshim。Thisconstantstrifebetweenthepropensitiesspringingfromtheequalityofconditionsandthemeansitsuppliestosatisfythem,harassesandweariesthemind。

  Itispossibletoconceivemenarrivedatadegreeoffreedomwhichshouldcompletelycontentthem;theywouldthenenjoytheirindependencewithoutanxietyandwithoutimpatience。

  Butmenwillneverestablishanyequalitywithwhichtheycanbecontented。Whatevereffortsapeoplemaymake,theywillneversucceedinreducingalltheconditionsofsocietytoaperfectlevel;andeveniftheyunhappilyattainedthatabsoluteandcompletedepression,theinequalityofmindswouldstillremain,which,comingdirectlyfromthehandofGod,willforeverescapethelawsofman。Howeverdemocraticthenthesocialstateandthepoliticalconstitutionofapeoplemaybe,itiscertainthateverymemberofthecommunitywillalwaysfindoutseveralpointsabouthimwhichcommandhisownposition;andwemayforeseethathislookswillbedoggedlyfixedinthatdirection。Wheninequalityofconditionsisthecommonlawofsociety,themostmarkedinequalitiesdonotstriketheeye:wheneverythingisnearlyonthesamelevel,theslightestaremarkedenoughtohurtit。Hencethedesireofequalityalwaysbecomesmoreinsatiableinproportionasequalityismorecomplete。

  Amongstdemocraticnationsmeneasilyattainacertainequalityofconditions:theycanneverattaintheequalitytheydesire。Itperpetuallyretiresfrombeforethem,yetwithouthidingitselffromtheirsight,andinretiringdrawsthemon。

  Ateverymomenttheythinktheyareabouttograspit;itescapesateverymomentfromtheirhold。Theyarenearenoughtoseeitscharms,buttoofarofftoenjoythem;andbeforetheyhavefullytasteditsdelightstheydie。Tothesecausesmustbeattributedthatstrangemelancholywhichoftentimeswillhaunttheinhabitantsofdemocraticcountriesinthemidstoftheirabundance,andthatdisgustatlifewhichsometimesseizesupontheminthemidstofcalmandeasycircumstances。ComplaintsaremadeinFrancethatthenumberofsuicidesincreases;inAmericasuicideisrare,butinsanityissaidtobemorecommonthananywhereelse。Thesearealldifferentsymptomsofthesamedisease。TheAmericansdonotputanendtotheirlives,howeverdisquietedtheymaybe,becausetheirreligionforbidsit;andamongstthemmaterialismmaybesaidhardlytoexist,notwithstandingthegeneralpassionforphysicalgratification。

  Thewillresists—reasonfrequentlygivesway。Indemocraticagesenjoymentsaremoreintensethanintheagesofaristocracy,andespeciallythenumberofthosewhopartakeinthemislarger:

  but,ontheotherhand,itmustbeadmittedthatman’shopesandhisdesiresareoftenerblasted,thesoulismorestrickenandperturbed,andcareitselfmorekeen。

  BookTwo—ChaptersXIV—XIII

  ChapterXIV:TasteForPhysicalGratificationsUnitedInAmericaToLoveOfFreedomAndAttentionToPublicAffairsWhenademocraticstateturnstoabsolutemonarchy,theactivitywhichwasbeforedirectedtopublicandtoprivateaffairsisallatoncecentreduponthelatter:theimmediateconsequenceis,forsometime,greatphysicalprosperity;butthisimpulsesoonslackens,andtheamountofproductiveindustryischecked。Iknownotifasingletradingormanufacturingpeoplecanbecited,fromtheTyriansdowntotheFlorentinesandtheEnglish,whowerenotafreepeoplealso。Thereisthereforeaclosebondandnecessaryrelationbetweenthesetwoelements—

  freedomandproductiveindustry。Thispropositionisgenerallytrueofallnations,butespeciallyofdemocraticnations。I

  havealreadyshownthatmenwholiveinagesofequalitycontinuallyrequiretoformassociationsinordertoprocurethethingstheycovet;and,ontheotherhand,Ihaveshownhowgreatpoliticalfreedomimprovesanddiffusestheartofassociation。

  Freedom,intheseages,isthereforeespeciallyfavorabletotheproductionofwealth;norisitdifficulttoperceivethatdespotismisespeciallyadversetothesameresult。Thenatureofdespoticpowerindemocraticagesisnottobefierceorcruel,butminuteandmeddling。Despotismofthiskind,thoughitdoesnottrampleonhumanity,isdirectlyopposedtothegeniusofcommerceandthepursuitsofindustry。

  Thusthemenofdemocraticagesrequiretobefreeinordermorereadilytoprocurethosephysicalenjoymentsforwhichtheyarealwayslonging。Itsometimeshappens,however,thattheexcessivetastetheyconceiveforthesesameenjoymentsabandonsthemtothefirstmasterwhoappears。Thepassionforworldlywelfarethendefeatsitself,and,withoutperceivingit,throwstheobjectoftheirdesirestoagreaterdistance。

  Thereis,indeed,amostdangerouspassageinthehistoryofademocraticpeople。Whenthetasteforphysicalgratificationsamongstsuchapeoplehasgrownmorerapidlythantheireducationandtheirexperienceoffreeinstitutions,thetimewillcomewhenmenarecarriedaway,andloseallself—restraint,atthesightofthenewpossessionstheyareabouttolayholdupon。Intheirintenseandexclusiveanxietytomakeafortune,theylosesightofthecloseconnectionwhichexistsbetweentheprivatefortuneofeachofthemandtheprosperityofall。Itisnotnecessarytodoviolencetosuchapeopleinordertostripthemoftherightstheyenjoy;theythemselveswillinglyloosentheirhold。Thedischargeofpoliticaldutiesappearstothemtobeatroublesomeannoyance,whichdivertsthemfromtheiroccupationsandbusiness。Iftheyberequiredtoelectrepresentatives,tosupporttheGovernmentbypersonalservice,tomeetonpublicbusiness,theyhavenotime—theycannotwastetheirprecioustimeinuselessengagements:suchidleamusementsareunsuitedtoseriousmenwhoareengagedwiththemoreimportantinterestsoflife。Thesepeoplethinktheyarefollowingtheprincipleofself—interest,buttheideatheyentertainofthatprincipleisaveryrudeone;andthebettertolookafterwhattheycalltheirbusiness,theyneglecttheirchiefbusiness,whichistoremaintheirownmasters。

  Asthecitizenswhoworkdonotcaretoattendtopublicbusiness,andastheclasswhichmightdevoteitsleisuretothesedutieshasceasedtoexist,theplaceoftheGovernmentis,asitwere,unfilled。Ifatthatcriticalmomentsomeableandambitiousmangraspsthesupremepower,hewillfindtheroadtoeverykindofusurpationopenbeforehim。Ifhedoesbutattendforsometimetothematerialprosperityofthecountry,nomorewillbedemandedofhim。Aboveallhemustinsurepublictranquillity:menwhoarepossessedbythepassionofphysicalgratificationgenerallyfindoutthattheturmoiloffreedomdisturbstheirwelfare,beforetheydiscoverhowfreedomitselfservestopromoteit。Iftheslightestrumorofpubliccommotionintrudesintothepettypleasuresofprivatelife,theyarearousedandalarmedbyit。Thefearofanarchyperpetuallyhauntsthem,andtheyarealwaysreadytoflingawaytheirfreedomatthefirstdisturbance。

  Ireadilyadmitthatpublictranquillityisagreatgood;

  butatthesametimeIcannotforgetthatallnationshavebeenenslavedbybeingkeptingoodorder。Certainlyitisnottobeinferredthatnationsoughttodespisepublictranquillity;butthatstateoughtnottocontentthem。Anationwhichasksnothingofitsgovernmentbutthemaintenanceoforderisalreadyaslaveatheart—theslaveofitsownwell—being,awaitingbutthehandthatwillbindit。Bysuchanationthedespotismoffactionisnotlesstobedreadedthanthedespotismofanindividual。Whenthebulkofthecommunityisengrossedbyprivateconcerns,thesmallestpartiesneednotdespairofgettingtheupperhandinpublicaffairs。Atsuchtimesitisnotraretoseeuponthegreatstageoftheworld,asweseeatourtheatres,amultituderepresentedbyafewplayers,whoalonespeakinthenameofanabsentorinattentivecrowd:theyaloneareinactionwhilstallarestationary;theyregulateeverythingbytheirowncaprice;theychangethelaws,andtyrannizeatwilloverthemannersofthecountry;andthenmenwondertoseeintohowsmallanumberofweakandworthlesshandsagreatpeoplemayfall。

  HithertotheAmericanshavefortunatelyescapedalltheperilswhichIhavejustpointedout;andinthisrespecttheyarereallydeservingofadmiration。PerhapsthereisnocountryintheworldwherefeweridlemenaretobemetwiththaninAmerica,orwhereallwhoworkaremoreeagertopromotetheirownwelfare。ButifthepassionoftheAmericansforphysicalgratificationsisvehement,atleastitisnotindiscriminating;

  andreason,thoughunabletorestrainit,stilldirectsitscourse。AnAmericanattendstohisprivateconcernsasifhewerealoneintheworld,andthenextminutehegiveshimselfuptothecommonwealasifhehadforgottenthem。Atonetimeheseemsanimatedbythemostselfishcupidity,atanotherbythemostlivelypatriotism。Thehumanheartcannotbethusdivided。

  TheinhabitantsoftheUnitedStatesalternatelydisplaysostrongandsosimilarapassionfortheirownwelfareandfortheirfreedom,thatitmaybesupposedthatthesepassionsareunitedandmingledinsomepartoftheircharacter。AndindeedtheAmericansbelievetheirfreedomtobethebestinstrumentandsurestsafeguardoftheirwelfare:theyareattachedtotheonebytheother。Theybynomeansthinkthattheyarenotcalledupontotakeapartinthepublicweal;theybelieve,onthecontrary,thattheirchiefbusinessistosecureforthemselvesagovernmentwhichwillallowthemtoacquirethethingstheycovet,andwhichwillnotdebarthemfromthepeacefulenjoymentofthosepossessionswhichtheyhaveacquired。

  ChapterXV:ThatReligiousBeliefSometimesTurnsTheThoughtsOfTheAmericansToImmaterialPleasuresIntheUnitedStates,ontheseventhdayofeveryweek,thetradingandworkinglifeofthenationseemssuspended;allnoisescease;adeeptranquillity,sayratherthesolemncalmofmeditation,succeedstheturmoiloftheweek,andthesoulresumespossessionandcontemplationofitself。Uponthisdaythemartsoftrafficaredeserted;everymemberofthecommunity,accompaniedbyhischildren,goestochurch,wherehelistenstostrangelanguagewhichwouldseemunsuitedtohisear。Heistoldofthecountlessevilscausedbyprideandcovetousness:heisremindedofthenecessityofcheckinghisdesires,ofthefinerpleasureswhichbelongtovirtuealone,andofthetruehappinesswhichattendsit。Onhisreturnhome,hedoesnotturntotheledgersofhiscalling,butheopensthebookofHolyScripture;therehemeetswithsublimeoraffectingdescriptionsofthegreatnessandgoodnessoftheCreator,oftheinfinitemagnificenceofthehandiworkofGod,oftheloftydestiniesofman,ofhisduties,andofhisimmortalprivileges。ThusitisthattheAmericanattimesstealsanhourfromhimself;andlayingasideforawhilethepettypassionswhichagitatehislife,andtheephemeralinterestswhichengrossit,hestraysatonceintoanidealworld,whereallisgreat,eternal,andpure。

  IhaveendeavoredtopointoutinanotherpartofthisworkthecausestowhichthemaintenanceofthepoliticalinstitutionsoftheAmericansisattributable;andreligionappearedtobeoneofthemostprominentamongstthem。IamnowtreatingoftheAmericansinanindividualcapacity,andIagainobservethatreligionisnotlessusefultoeachcitizenthantothewholeState。TheAmericansshow,bytheirpractice,thattheyfeelthehighnecessityofimpartingmoralitytodemocraticcommunitiesbymeansofreligion。Whattheythinkofthemselvesinthisrespectisatruthofwhicheverydemocraticnationoughttobethoroughlypersuaded。

  Idonotdoubtthatthesocialandpoliticalconstitutionofapeoplepredisposesthemtoadoptacertainbeliefandcertaintastes,whichafterwardsflourishwithoutdifficultyamongstthem;whilstthesamecausesmaydivertapeoplefromcertainopinionsandpropensities,withoutanyvoluntaryeffort,and,asitwere,withoutanydistinctconsciousness,ontheirpart。Thewholeartofthelegislatoriscorrectlytodiscernbeforehandthesenaturalinclinationsofcommunitiesofmen,inordertoknowwhethertheyshouldbeassisted,orwhetheritmaynotbenecessarytocheckthem。Forthedutiesincumbentonthelegislatordifferatdifferenttimes;thegoaltowardswhichthehumanraceoughtevertobetendingisalonestationary;themeansofreachingitareperpetuallytobevaried。

  IfIhadbeenborninanaristocraticage,inthemidstofanationwherethehereditarywealthofsome,andtheirremediablepenuryofothers,shouldequallydivertmenfromtheideaofbetteringtheircondition,andholdthesoulasitwereinastateoftorporfixedonthecontemplationofanotherworld,I

  shouldthenwishthatitwerepossibleformetorousethatpeopletoasenseoftheirwants;IshouldseektodiscovermorerapidandmoreeasymeansforsatisfyingthefreshdesireswhichImighthaveawakened;and,directingthemoststrenuouseffortsofthehumanmindtophysicalpursuits,Ishouldendeavortostimulateittopromotethewell—beingofman。Ifithappenedthatsomemenwereimmoderatelyincitedtothepursuitofriches,anddisplayedanexcessivelikingforphysicalgratifications,I

  shouldnotbealarmed;thesepeculiarsymptomswouldsoonbeabsorbedinthegeneralaspectofthepeople。

  Theattentionofthelegislatorsofdemocraciesiscalledtoothercares。Givedemocraticnationseducationandfreedom,andleavethemalone。Theywillsoonlearntodrawfromthisworldallthebenefitswhichitcanafford;theywillimproveeachoftheusefularts,andwilldaybydayrenderlifemorecomfortable,moreconvenient,andmoreeasy。Theirsocialconditionnaturallyurgestheminthisdirection;Idonotfearthattheywillslackentheircourse。

  Butwhilstmantakesdelightinthishonestandlawfulpursuitofhiswellbeing,itistobeapprehendedthathemayintheendlosetheuseofhissublimestfaculties;andthatwhilstheisbusiedinimprovingallaroundhim,hemayatlengthdegradehimself。Here,andhereonly,doestheperillie。Itshouldthereforebetheunceasingobjectofthelegislatorsofdemocracies,andofallthevirtuousandenlightenedmenwholivethere,toraisethesoulsoftheirfellow—citizens,andkeepthemlifteduptowardsheaven。Itisnecessarythatallwhofeelaninterestinthefuturedestiniesofdemocraticsocietyshouldunite,andthatallshouldmakejointandcontinualeffortstodiffusetheloveoftheinfinite,asenseofgreatness,andaloveofpleasuresnotofearth。Ifamongsttheopinionsofademocraticpeopleanyofthosepernicioustheoriesexistwhichtendtoinculcatethatallperisheswiththebody,letmenbywhomsuchtheoriesareprofessedbemarkedasthenaturalfoesofsuchapeople。

  Thematerialistsareoffensivetomeinmanyrespects;theirdoctrinesIholdtobepernicious,andIamdisgustedattheirarrogance。Iftheirsystemcouldbeofanyutilitytoman,itwouldseemtobebygivinghimamodestopinionofhimself。Butthesereasonersshowthatitisnotso;andwhentheythinktheyhavesaidenoughtoestablishthattheyarebrutes,theyshowthemselvesasproudasiftheyhaddemonstratedthattheyaregods。Materialismis,amongstallnations,adangerousdiseaseofthehumanmind;butitismoreespeciallytobedreadedamongstademocraticpeople,becauseitreadilyamalgamateswiththatvicewhichismostfamiliartotheheartundersuchcircumstances。

  Democracyencouragesatasteforphysicalgratification:thistaste,ifitbecomeexcessive,soondisposesmentobelievethatallismatteronly;andmaterialism,inturn,hurriesthembackwithmadimpatiencetothesesamedelights:suchisthefatalcirclewithinwhichdemocraticnationsaredrivenround。Itwerewellthattheyshouldseethedangerandholdback。

  Mostreligionsareonlygeneral,simple,andpracticalmeansofteachingmenthedoctrineoftheimmortalityofthesoul。

  Thatisthegreatestbenefitwhichademocraticpeoplederives,fromitsbelief,andhencebeliefismorenecessarytosuchapeoplethantoallothers。Whenthereforeanyreligionhasstruckitsrootsdeepintoademocracy,bewarelestyoudisturbthem;butratherwatchitcarefully,asthemostpreciousbequestofaristocraticages。Seeknottosupersedetheoldreligiousopinionsofmenbynewones;lestinthepassagefromonefaithtoanother,thesoulbeingleftforawhilestrippedofallbelief,theloveofphysicalgratificationsshouldgrowuponitandfillitwholly。

  Thedoctrineofmetempsychosisisassuredlynotmorerationalthanthatofmaterialism;neverthelessifitwereabsolutelynecessarythatademocracyshouldchooseoneofthetwo,Ishouldnothesitatetodecidethatthecommunitywouldrunlessriskofbeingbrutalizedbybelievingthatthesoulofmanwillpassintothecarcassofahog,thanbybelievingthatthesoulofmanisnothingatall。Thebeliefinasupersensualandimmortalprinciple,unitedforatimetomatter,issoindispensabletoman’sgreatness,thatitseffectsarestrikingevenwhenitisnotunitedtothedoctrineoffuturerewardandpunishment;andwhenitholdsnomorethanthatafterdeaththedivineprinciplecontainedinmanisabsorbedintheDeity,ortransferredtoanimatetheframeofsomeothercreature。Menholdingsoimperfectabeliefwillstillconsiderthebodyasthesecondaryandinferiorportionoftheirnature,andtheywilldespiseitevenwhilsttheyyieldtoitsinfluence;whereastheyhaveanaturalesteemandsecretadmirationfortheimmaterialpartofman,eventhoughtheysometimesrefusetosubmittoitsdominion。Thatisenoughtogivealoftycasttotheiropinionsandtheirtastes,andtobidthemtendwithnointerestedmotive,andasitwerebyimpulse,topurefeelingsandelevatedthoughts。

  ItisnotcertainthatSocratesandhisfollowershadveryfixedopinionsastowhatwouldbefallmanhereafter;butthesolepointofbeliefonwhichtheyweredetermined—thatthesoulhasnothingincommonwiththebody,andsurvivesit—wasenoughtogivethePlatonicphilosophythatsublimeaspirationbywhichitisdistinguished。ItisclearfromtheworksofPlato,thatmanyphilosophicalwriters,hispredecessorsorcontemporaries,professedmaterialism。Thesewritershavenotreachedus,orhavereachedusinmerefragments。Thesamethinghashappenedinalmostallages;thegreaterpartofthemostfamousmindsinliteratureadheretothedoctrinesofasupersensualphilosophy。Theinstinctandthetasteofthehumanracemaintainthosedoctrines;theysavethemoftentimesinspiteofmenthemselves,andraisethenamesoftheirdefendersabovethetideoftime。Itmustnotthenbesupposedthatatanyperiodorunderanypoliticalcondition,thepassionforphysicalgratifications,andtheopinionswhicharesuperinducedbythatpassion,canevercontentawholepeople。Theheartofmanisofalargermould:itcanatoncecompriseatasteforthepossessionsofearthandtheloveofthoseofheaven:attimesitmayseemtoclingdevotedlytotheone,butitwillneverbelongwithoutthinkingoftheother。

  Ifitbeeasytoseethatitismoreparticularlyimportantindemocraticagesthatspiritualopinionsshouldprevail,itisnoteasytosaybywhatmeansthosewhogoverndemocraticnationsmaymakethempredominate。Iamnobelieverintheprosperity,anymorethaninthedurability,ofofficialphilosophies;andastostatereligions,Ihavealwaysheld,thatiftheybesometimesofmomentaryservicetotheinterestsofpoliticalpower,theyalways,soonerorlater,becomefataltotheChurch。NordoI

  thinkwiththosewhoassert,thattoraisereligionintheeyesofthepeople,andtomakethemdohonortoherspiritualdoctrines,itisdesirableindirectlytogiveherministersapoliticalinfluencewhichthelawsdenythem。Iamsomuchalivetothealmostinevitabledangerswhichbesetreligiousbeliefwhenevertheclergytakepartinpublicaffairs,andIamsoconvincedthatChristianitymustbemaintainedatanycostinthebosomofmoderndemocracies,thatIhadrathershutupthepriesthoodwithinthesanctuarythanallowthemtostepbeyondit。

  Whatmeansthenremaininthehandsofconstitutedauthoritiestobringmenbacktospiritualopinions,ortoholdthemfasttothereligionbywhichthoseopinionsaresuggested?

  Myanswerwilldomeharmintheeyesofpoliticians。Ibelievethatthesoleeffectualmeanswhichgovernmentscanemployinordertohavethedoctrineoftheimmortalityofthesouldulyrespected,isevertoactasiftheybelievedinitthemselves;

  andIthinkthatitisonlybyscrupulousconformitytoreligiousmoralityingreataffairsthattheycanhopetoteachthecommunityatlargetoknow,tolove,andtoobserveitinthelesserconcernsoflife。

  ChapterXVI:ThatExcessiveCareOfWorldlyWelfareMayImpairThatWelfareThereisaclosertiethaniscommonlysupposedbetweentheimprovementofthesoulandtheameliorationofwhatbelongstothebody。Manmayleavethesetwothingsapart,andconsidereachofthemalternately;buthecannotseverthementirelywithoutatlastlosingsightofoneandoftheother。Thebeastshavethesamesensesasourselves,andverynearlythesameappetites。Wehavenosensualpassionswhicharenotcommontoourraceandtheirs,andwhicharenottobefound,atleastinthegerm,inadogaswellasinaman。Whenceisitthenthattheanimalscanonlyprovidefortheirfirstandlowestwants,whereaswecaninfinitelyvaryandendlesslyincreaseourenjoyments?

  Wearesuperiortothebeastsinthis,thatweuseoursoulstofindoutthosematerialbenefitstowhichtheyareonlyledbyinstinct。Inman,theangelteachesthebrutetheartofcontentingitsdesires。Itisbecausemaniscapableofrisingabovethethingsofthebody,andofcontemninglifeitself,ofwhichthebeastshavenottheleastnotion,thathecanmultiplythesesamethingsofthebodytoadegreewhichinferiorracesareequallyunabletoconceive。Whateverelevates,enlarges,andexpandsthesoul,rendersitmorecapableofsucceedinginthoseveryundertakingswhichconcernitnot。Whatever,ontheotherhand,enervatesorlowersit,weakensitforallpurposes,thechiefest,aswellastheleast,andthreatenstorenderitalmostequallyimpotentfortheoneandfortheother。Hencethesoulmustremaingreatandstrong,thoughitwereonlytodevoteitsstrengthandgreatnessfromtimetotimetotheserviceofthebody。Ifmenwereevertocontentthemselveswithmaterialobjects,itisprobablethattheywouldlosebydegreestheartofproducingthem;andtheywouldenjoythemintheend,likethebrutes,withoutdiscernmentandwithoutimprovement。

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