CHAPTER VIII.

OUTLINES OF THE HISTORY OF THE SPANISH INTELLECT FROM THE FIFTH TO THE MIDDLE OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.

In the preceding Chapters four propositions have been established 425-426

The truth of which may be further verified by studying the history of Spain 426

In Spain, superstition is encouraged by physical phenomena 426-434

It was also encouraged by the great Arian war with France 434-439

And, subsequently, by the war with the Mohammedans 439-444

These three causes influenced the policy of Ferdinand and Isabella 444-446

Continuation of the same policy by Charles V. and by Philip II. 446-453

Philip II., notwithstanding his repulsive qualities, was loved by the nation 453-455

Their affection for him was the result of general causes, which, during several centuries, have made the Spaniards the most loyal people in Europe 455

Origin of Spanish loyalty, and evidence of it 455-461

Loyalty became united with superstition, and each strengthened the other 461-462

In consequence of this union, great foreign conquests were made, and a great military spirit was developed 461-465

But this sort of progress, depending too much upon individuals, is necessarily unstable 465-466

The progress of England, on the other hand, depends upon the ability of the nation, and therefore, continues, whether individual rulers are skilful, or whether they are unskilful 466-467

In Spain, the ruling classes were supreme; the people counted for nothing; and hence the grandeur of the country, which was raised up by the able princes of the sixteenth century, was as quickly pulled down by the weak princes of the seventeenth 467-472

The decay of Spain, in the seventeenth century, was connected with the increasing influence of the clergy 472-483

The first use which the clergy made of their power was to expel all the Moors 483-496

Effect of this expulsion in impoverishing Spain 497-499

Decline of manufactures, and of population, and increase of poverty 499-511

In 1700, when affairs were at their worst, the Austrian dynasty was succeeded by the Bourbon 513-514

Spain was now ruled by foreigners 514-520

Who endeavoured to improve the country by weakening the church 521-525

But the authority of the church had so enfeebled the national intellect, that the people, immersed in ignorance, remained inert 525-543

Government attempted to remedy this ignorance by calling in foreign aid 534-545

The influence of foreigners in Spain was displayed in the expulsion of the Jesuits, in 1767 545-546

And in the attacks made on the Inquisition 547-548

It was also displayed in the foreign policy of Spain 548-550

All this was promoted by the authority and high character of Charles III. 552-554

But it was of no avail; because politicians can do nothing, when the spirit of the country is against them 534-555

Still, Charles III. effected great improvements, from which, on a superficial view, permanent benefit might have been expected 555-568

Summary of what was accomplished for Spain, by the government, between the years 1700 and 1788 568-570

Inasmuch, however, as these ameliorations were opposed to the habits of the national character, a reaction was inevitable 570-571

In 1788, Charles III. was succeeded by Charles IV., and the new king, being a true Spaniard, the reaction began 571-573

In the nineteenth century, political reformers again endeavoured to improve Spain 574

For the reasons already stated, their efforts were fruitless, notwithstanding the early establishment in that country of municipal privileges, and of popular representation 575-576

In this way, general causes always triumph over particular actions 577-578

Those general causes predetermined the country to superstition, and it was impossible for individuals to make head against them 578-583

Nothing can weaken superstition but knowledge 583

Such failures are the more observable, because Spain enjoys immense natural advantages 583-585

And has possessed great patriots and great legislators 585

The Spaniards have, moreover, long been celebrated for honour, courage, temperance, humanity, and religious sincerity 585-588

So far, however, as national progress is concerned, these noble qualities are useless, while ignorance is so gross and so general 588-592

This it is, which, isolating Spain from the rest of the civilized world, keeps alive that spirit of superstition, that reverence for antiquity, and that blind and servile loyalty, which, as long as they last, will render improvement impossible; and which must last until ignorance is removed 592-597

HISTORY OF CIVILIZATION IN ENGLAND.