of the rise and progress of the arts and sciences-第3章
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reverence for princes； which mankind naturally contract when they
do not often see the sovereign； and when many of them become not
acquainted with him so as to perceive his weaknesses。 And as
large states can afford a great expence； in order to support the
pomp of majesty； this is a kind of fascination on men； and
naturally contributes to the enslaving of them。
In a small government； any act of oppression is immediately
known throughout the whole： The murmurs and discontents；
proceeding from it； are easily communicated： And the indignation
arises the higher； because the subjects are not apt to apprehend
in such states； that the distance is very wide between themselves
and their sovereign。 'No man；' said the prince of Cond偅弧�'is a
hero to his 。' It is certain that admiration
and acquaintance are altogether incompatible towards any mortal
creature。 Sleep and love convinced even Alexander himself that he
was not a God： But I suppose that such as daily attended him
could easily； from the numberless weaknesses to which he was
subject； have given him many still more convincing proofs of his
humanity。
But the divisions into small states are favourable to
learning； by stopping the progress of as well as that
of 。 Reputation is often as great a fascination upon men
as sovereignty； and is equally destructive to the freedom of
thought and examination。 But where a number of neighbouring
states have a great intercourse of arts and commerce； their
mutual jealousy keeps them from receiving too lightly the law
from each other； in matters of taste and of reasoning； and makes
them examine every work of art with the greatest care and
accuracy。 The contagion of popular opinion spreads not so easily
from one place to another。 It readily receives a check in some
state or other； where it concurs not with the prevailing
prejudices。 And nothing but nature and reason； or； at least； what
bears them a strong resemblance； can force its way through all
obstacles； and unite the most rival nations into an esteem and
admiration of it。
Greece was a cluster of little principalities； which soon
became republics； and being united both by their near
neighbourhood； and by the ties of the same language and interest；
they entered into the closest intercourse of commerce and
learning。 There concurred a happy climate； a soil not unfertile；
and a most harmonious and comprehensive language； so that every
circumstance among that people seemed to favour the rise of the
arts and sciences。 Each city produced its several artists and
philosophers； who refused to yield the preference to those of the
neighbouring republics： Their contention and debates sharpened
the wits of men： A variety of objects was presented to the
judgment； while each challenged the preference to the rest： and
the sciences； not being dwarfed by the restraint of authority；
were enabled to make such considerable shoots； as are； even at
this time； the objects of our admiration。 After the Roman
； or church had spread itself over the
civilized world； and had engrossed all the learning of the times；
being really one large state within itself； and united under one
head； this variety of sects immediately disappeared； and the
Peripatetic philosophy was alone admitted into all the schools；
to the utter depravation of every kind of learning。 But mankind；
having at length thrown off this yoke； affairs are now returned
nearly to the same situation as before； and Europe is at present
a copy at large； of what Greece was formerly a pattern in
miniature。 We have seen the advantage of this situation in
several instances。 What checked the progress of the Cartesian
philosophy； to which the French nation shewed such a strong
propensity towards the end of the last century； but the
opposition made to it by the other nations of Europe； who soon
discovered the weak sides of that philosophy？ The severest
scrutiny； which Newton's theory has undergone； proceeded not from
his own countrymen； but from foreigners； and if it can overcome
the obstacles； which it meets with at present in all parts of
Europe； it will probably go down triumphant to the latest
posterity。 The English are become sensible of the scandalous
licentiousness of their stage； from the example of the French
decency and morals。 The French are convinced； that their theatre
has become somewhat effeminate； by too much love and gallantry；
and begin to approve of the more masculine taste of some
neighbouring nations。
In China； there seems to be a pretty considerable stock of
politeness and science； which； in the course of so many
centuries； might naturally be expected to ripen into some thing
more perfect and finished； than what has yet arisen from them。
But China is one vast empire； speaking one language； governed by
one law； and sympathizing in the same manners。 The authority of
any teacher； such as Confucius； was propagated easily from one
corner of the empire to the other。 None had courage to resist the
torrent of popular opinion。 And posterity was not bold enough to
dispute what had been universally received by their ancestors。
This seems to be one natural reason； why the sciences have made
so slow a progress in that mighty empire。＇4＇
If we consider the face of the globe； Europe； of all the
four parts of the world； is the most broken by seas； rivers； and
mountains； and Greece of all countries of Europe。 Hence these
regions were naturally divided into several distinct governments。
And hence the sciences arose in Greece； and Europe has been
hitherto the most constant habitation of them。
I have sometimes been inclined to think； that interruptions
in the periods of learning； were they not attended with such a
destruction of ancient books； and the records of history； would
be rather favourable to the arts and sciences； by breaking the
progress of authority； and dethroning the tyrannical usurpers
over human reason。 In this particular； they have the same
influence； as interruptions in political governments and
societies。 Consider the blind submission of the ancient
philosophers to the several masters in each school； and you will
be convinced； that little good could be expected from a hundred
centuries of such a servile philosophy。 Even the Eclectics； who
arose about the age of Augustus； notwithstanding their professing
to chuse freely what pleased them from every different sect； were
yet； in the main； as slavish and dependent as any of their
brethren since they sought for truth not in nature； but in the
several schools； where they supposed she must necessarily be
found； though not united in a body； yet dispersed in parts。 Upon
the revival of learning； those sects of Stoics and Epicureans；
Platonists and Pythagoricians； could never regain any credit or
authority； and； at the same time； by the example of their fall；
kept men from submitting； with such blind deference； to those new
sects； which have attempted to gain an ascendant over them。
The observation； which I shall form on this head； of
the rise and progress of the arts and sciences； is； 。
To balance a large state or society； whether monarchical or
republican； on general laws； is a work of so great difficulty；
that no human genius； however comprehensive； is able； by the mere
dint of reason and reflection； to effect it。 The judgments of
many must unite in this work： Experience must guide their labour：
Time must bring it to perfection： And the feeling of
inconveniencies must correct the mistakes； which they inevitably
fall into； in their first trials and experiments。 Hence appears
the impossibility； that this undertaking should be begun and
carried on in any monarchy； since such a form of government； ere
civilized； knows no other se
