CHAPTER V.

INQUIRY INTO THE INFLUENCE EXERCISED BY RELIGION, LITERATURE, AND GOVERNMENT.

Recapitulation of preceding arguments 227

Moral feelings influence individuals, but do not affect society in the aggregate 228-229

This being as yet little understood, historians have not collected proper materials for writing history 230

Reasons why the present history is restricted to England 231-235

Comparison of the history of England with that of France 235-236

With that of Germany 237-240

With that of the United States of America 240-242

Necessity of ascertaining the fundamental laws of intellectual progress 243

Much may be gained in that respect from studying the histories of Germany, America, France, Spain, and Scotland 244-246

Deductive spirit in Scotland 246-252

Influence of religion on the progress of society 253-266

Illustration from the efforts of missionaries 254-256

Illustration from the Hebrews 257-258

Illustration from the early history of Christianity 259-262

And from Sweden and Scotland 263-266

Influence of literature on the progress of society 268-272

Influence of government on the progress of society 272-287

Illustrated by repeal of the corn-laws 273-274

The best legislation abrogates former legislation 275

The interference of politicians with trade has injured trade 276-278

Legislators have caused smuggling with all its attendant crimes 278-280

They have also increased hypocrisy and perjury 281-283

By their laws against usury they have increased usury 283-284

By other laws they have hindered the advance of knowledge 284-285

England has been less interfered with in these ways than other nations, and is therefore more prosperous than they 286-287