CHAPTER LX.

ON DEMOCRACY IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.

The opinion entertained of democracy--The prevailing doctrines of that epoch--The doctrines of Aristotle neutralised by the teaching of Christianity--On castes--A passage from M. Guizot on castes--Influence of the celibacy of the clergy in preventing an hereditary succession--The consequences resulting from a married clergy--Catholicity and the people--Development of the industrial classes in Europe--The Hanseatic Confederation--_Establishment of the trades-corporations of Paris_--Industrial movement in Italy and Spain--Calvinism and the democratic element--Protestantism and the democrats of the sixteenth century, 350