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CHAP. X.

CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS.

IN

IN the first chapter of these remarks I have expressed the opinion that civilization, including, as one of its branches, political improvement, is in a progressive state in every part of the Christian world; and, in a subsequent chapter, I have stated that the moral influence of Russia is already extending itself very fast through the neighbouring countries; and that, at no distant period, this power may very probably obtain an actual military dominion over the rest of Europe. As Russia is at present in a very low state of civilization, these opinions may appear at first view contradictory. The military occupation of the west of Europe by an uncivilized power would tend, it may be thought, to check, and perhaps entirely stop, the farther progress of improvement. Hence, if this event is probable, it might appear that civilization is not likely at present to proceed much further. In this concluding chapter, it will be my object to inquire into the probable results of the combined operation

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of these two different tendencies upon the political and moral situation of the Christian world.

It may be remarked, in the first place, that these tendencies are not opposite or contradictory in such a sense, as that if the existence of either be supposed, that of the other must of necessity be denied. A community, in a thriving and progressive state, may be threatened from without by a barbarous or less civilized neighbour; but an attack from such a quarter, if it happens and destroys the principle of prosperity, will not thereby shew that it did not exist. In reality, however, the prevalence of the Russian power, should it happen to the full extent I have supposed, does not seem to be attended with any material danger to the progress of civilization, or with any other ill consequences of much importance. It appears, on the contrary, that it will exercise, in concurrence with the progress of civilization, a favourable operation upon the political form of the European commonwealth; and that, as it is the regular tendency of this progress to substitute a consolidated general government, established on rational principles for the present irregular system of international relations, so the extension of the Russian power, without materially counteracting the progress or the effects of civilization in any other respect, will tend materially, by its operation on the existing political forms of the several nations, to expedite their general results.

The present progressive state of civilization in the Christian world will probably be admitted by correct observers as an unquestionable truth. There is, I know, a party in Europe, which maintains precisely the contrary assertion, which continually affirms, that society is on the eve of dissolution, and Europe about to plunge again into a bottomless gulph of general barbarism and anarchy. But this difference of opinion, like most others, will be found, upon examination, to be wholly verbal. The party that holds these ideas, means by society the antiquated forms and establishments which have come down from former ages, have already been greatly modified in most parts of Europe, and are disappearing very fast in all. That society, taking the word in this sense, is on the eve of dissolution, is so far from being inconsistent with the progress of civilization, that in the opinion of those who believe in this progress, it is one of the proofs and necessary consequences of its reality. And while the party in question express their apprehension of the approach of barbarism and anarchy, they only intimate, in different language, the probability of the same events, which are denominated by others the removal of political abuses, and the introduction of improved forms of government. There is therefore, in reality, no contrariety of opinion in regard to facts; but only an opposition of feeling respecting the character of the same supposed facts, according

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as their operation upon the interest of different per sons or parties is favourable or unfavourable.

In fact, the present progressive state of civilization is so far from being doubtful, that the most superficial view of the actual condition of the Christian world must satisfy an observer, that it is now in the midst of a most remarkable crisis of social developement, somewhat analogous to that which occurs in the human body at the period of life when it passes from infancy to manhood. The commencement of this crisis may be dated from the revival of intellectual activity in Europe three or four centuries ago, and the discovery of the passage by sea to the East Indies, and of our western world, which were among the first consequences of this revival, and which, in their turn, tended materially to assist and promote it. Since that time, there has been a continual and constantly increasing action and re-action of these two powerful causes. The unceasing movement of intellect in every direction that held out a prospect of advantage, led to the immediate exploration and settlement of the new found countries; and this system of colonization, as it acquired consistency and extension, afforded, in its turn, a strong encouragement to the progress of industry at home. New settlements are necessarily agricultural; and their first and most lucrative commerce is to exchange their superfluous produce for the manufactures of older

countries. It is in a great measure, to the effect of this action and re-action, that we must attribute the remarkable progress of industry, wealth, and knowledge in every part of Europe during the period in question; and we find, accordingly, that the countries which have shewn the greatest activity in the system of colonization, are also those which have shared most largely in their prosperity, as Holland, France, and especially England. Spain and Portugal, it is true, did not derive the same advantages from their vast colonial empire, in consequence of excessive misgovernment at home. The demand from the Spanish colonies for European articles stimulated the industry of every country in Europe, Spain only excepted, which served as a channel to convey the products of the rest of Europe to America, and the treasures of Peru and Mexico to the rest of Europe.

If, however, in general, the advance of civilization in Europe has been owing, in a great measure, to the effects of the system of colonization, we may conclude with assurance, that as long as colonization continues to extend itself, the civilization of Europe and the Christian world will also continue in a proportionally progressive state.

Now, it is obvious enough that colonization, instead of being stationary, or on the decline, has been extending itself within the last fifty years more rapidly than at any preceding period; and is, at this present moment, far more active than it

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