Thisisthenthesubjectonwhichitismostimportantforeachofustoentertainfixedideas;andunhappilyitisalsothesubjectonwhichitismostdifficultforeachofus，lefttohimself，tosettlehisopinionsbythesoleforceofhisreason。
　　Nonebutmindssingularlyfreefromtheordinaryanxietiesoflife—mindsatoncepenetrating，subtle，andtrainedbythinking—canevenwiththeassistanceofmuchtimeandcare，soundthedepthofthesemostnecessarytruths。And，indeed，weseethatthesephilosophersarethemselvesalmostalwaysenshroudedinuncertainties;thatateverystepthenaturallightwhichilluminatestheirpathgrowsdimmerandlesssecure;andthat，inspiteofalltheirefforts，theyhaveasyetonlydiscoveredasmallnumberofconflictingnotions，onwhichthemindofmanhasbeentossedaboutforthousandsofyears，withouteitherlayingafirmergraspontruth，orfindingnoveltyeveninitserrors。
　　Studiesofthisnaturearefarabovetheaveragecapacityofmen;
　　andevenifthemajorityofmankindwerecapableofsuchpursuits，itisevidentthatleisuretocultivatethemwouldstillbewanting。FixedideasofGodandhumannatureareindispensabletothedailypracticeofmen’slives;butthepracticeoftheirlivespreventsthemfromacquiringsuchideas。
　　Thedifficultyappearstometobewithoutaparallel。
　　Amongstthesciencestherearesomewhichareusefultothemassofmankind，andwhicharewithinitsreach;otherscanonlybeapproachedbythefew，andarenotcultivatedbythemany，whorequirenothingbeyondtheirmoreremoteapplications:butthedailypracticeofthescienceIspeakofisindispensabletoall，althoughthestudyofitisinaccessibletothefargreaternumber。
　　GeneralideasrespectingGodandhumannaturearethereforetheideasaboveallotherswhichitismostsuitabletowithdrawfromthehabitualactionofprivatejudgment，andinwhichthereismosttogainandleasttolosebyrecognizingaprincipleofauthority。Thefirstobjectandoneoftheprincipaladvantagesofreligions，istofurnishtoeachofthesefundamentalquestionsasolutionwhichisatonceclear，precise，intelligibletothemassofmankind，andlasting。Therearereligionswhichareveryfalseandveryabsurd;butitmaybeaffirmed，thatanyreligionwhichremainswithinthecircleI
　　havejusttraced，withoutaspiringtogobeyondit（asmanyreligionshaveattemptedtodo，forthepurposeofenclosingoneverysidethefreeprogressofthehumanmind），imposesasalutaryrestraintontheintellect;anditmustbeadmittedthat，ifitdonotsavemeninanotherworld，suchreligionisatleastveryconducivetotheirhappinessandtheirgreatnessinthis。Thisismoreespeciallytrueofmenlivinginfreecountries。Whenthereligionofapeopleisdestroyed，doubtgetsholdofthehighestportionsoftheintellect，andhalfparalyzesalltherestofitspowers。Everymanaccustomshimselftoentertainnonebutconfusedandchangingnotionsonthesubjectsmostinterestingtohisfellow—creaturesandhimself。Hisopinionsareill—defendedandeasilyabandoned:
　　and，despairingofeverresolvingbyhimselfthehardestproblemsofthedestinyofman，heignoblysubmitstothinknomoreaboutthem。Suchaconditioncannotbutenervatethesoul，relaxthespringsofthewill，andprepareapeopleforservitude。Nordoesitonlyhappen，insuchacase，thattheyallowtheirfreedomtobewrestedfromthem;theyfrequentlythemselvessurrenderit。Whenthereisnolongeranyprincipleofauthorityinreligionanymorethaninpolitics，menarespeedilyfrightenedattheaspectofthisunboundedindependence。Theconstantagitationofallsurroundingthingsalarmsandexhauststhem。Aseverythingisatseainthesphereoftheintellect，theydetermineatleastthatthemechanismofsocietyshouldbefirmandfixed;andastheycannotresumetheirancientbelief，theyassumeamaster。
　　Formyownpart，Idoubtwhethermancaneversupportatthesametimecompletereligiousindependenceandentirepublicfreedom。AndIaminclinedtothink，thatiffaithbewantinginhim，hemustserve;andifhebefree，hemustbelieve。
　　Perhaps，however，thisgreatutilityofreligionsisstillmoreobviousamongstnationswhereequalityofconditionsprevailsthanamongstothers。Itmustbeacknowledgedthatequality，whichbringsgreatbenefitsintotheworld，neverthelesssuggeststomen（aswillbeshownhereafter）someverydangerouspropensities。Ittendstoisolatethemfromeachother，toconcentrateeveryman’sattentionuponhimself;anditlaysopenthesoultoaninordinateloveofmaterialgratification。Thegreatestadvantageofreligionistoinspirediametricallycontraryprinciples。Thereisnoreligionwhichdoesnotplacetheobjectofman’sdesiresaboveandbeyondthetreasuresofearth，andwhichdoesnotnaturallyraisehissoultoregionsfarabovethoseofthesenses。Noristhereanywhichdoesnotimposeonmansomesortofdutiestohiskind，andthusdrawshimattimesfromthecontemplationofhimself。Thisoccursinreligionsthemostfalseanddangerous。Religiousnationsarethereforenaturallystrongontheverypointonwhichdemocraticnationsareweak;whichshowsofwhatimportanceitisformentopreservetheirreligionastheirconditionsbecomemoreequal。
　　IhaveneithertherightnortheintentionofexaminingthesupernaturalmeanswhichGodemploystoinfusereligiousbeliefintotheheartofman。Iamatthismomentconsideringreligionsinapurelyhumanpointofview:myobjectistoinquirebywhatmeanstheymaymosteasilyretaintheirswayinthedemocraticagesuponwhichweareentering。Ithasbeenshownthat，attimesofgeneralcultivationandequality，thehumanminddoesnotconsenttoadoptdogmaticalopinionswithoutreluctance，andfeelstheirnecessityacutelyinspiritualmattersonly。Thisproves，inthefirstplace，thatatsuchtimesreligionsought，morecautiouslythanatanyother，toconfinethemselveswithintheirownprecincts;forinseekingtoextendtheirpowerbeyondreligiousmatters，theyincurariskofnotbeingbelievedatall。Thecirclewithinwhichtheyseektoboundthehumanintellectoughtthereforetobecarefullytraced，andbeyonditsvergethemindshouldbeleftinentirefreedomtoitsownguidance。MahommedprofessedtoderivefromHeaven，andhehasinsertedintheKoran，notonlyabodyofreligiousdoctrines，butpoliticalmaxims，civilandcriminallaws，andtheoriesofscience。Thegospel，onthecontrary，onlyspeaksofthegeneralrelationsofmentoGodandtoeachother—beyondwhichitinculcatesandimposesnopointoffaith。Thisalone，besidesathousandotherreasons，wouldsufficetoprovethattheformerofthesereligionswillneverlongpredominateinacultivatedanddemocraticage，whilstthelatterisdestinedtoretainitsswayattheseasatallotherperiods。
　　Butincontinuationofthisbranchofthesubject，Ifindthatinorderforreligionstomaintaintheirauthority，humanlyspeaking，indemocraticages，theymustnotonlyconfinethemselvesstrictlywithinthecircleofspiritualmatters:theirpoweralsodependsverymuchonthenatureofthebelieftheyinculcate，ontheexternalformstheyassume，andontheobligationstheyimpose。Theprecedingobservation，thatequalityleadsmentoverygeneralandveryextensivenotions，isprincipallytobeunderstoodasappliedtothequestionofreligion。MenlivinginasimilarandequalconditionintheworldreadilyconceivetheideaoftheoneGod，governingeverymanbythesamelaws，andgrantingtoeverymanfuturehappinessonthesameconditions。TheideaoftheunityofmankindconstantlyleadsthembacktotheideaoftheunityoftheCreator;whilst，onthecontrary，inastateofsocietywheremenarebrokenupintoveryunequalranks，theyareapttodeviseasmanydeitiesastherearenations，castes，classes，orfamilies，andtotraceathousandprivateroadstoheaven。
　　ItcannotbedeniedthatChristianityitselfhasfelt，toacertainextent，theinfluencewhichsocialandpoliticalconditionsexerciseonreligiousopinions。AttheepochatwhichtheChristianreligionappeareduponearth，Providence，bywhomtheworldwasdoubtlesspreparedforitscoming，hadgatheredalargeportionofthehumanrace，likeanimmenseflock，underthesceptreoftheCaesars。Themenofwhomthismultitudewascomposedweredistinguishedbynumerousdifferences;buttheyhadthusmuchincommon，thattheyallobeyedthesamelaws，andthateverysubjectwassoweakandinsignificantinrelationtotheimperialpotentate，thatallappearedequalwhentheirconditionwascontrastedwithhis。ThisnovelandpeculiarstateofmankindnecessarilypredisposedmentolistentothegeneraltruthswhichChristianityteaches，andmayservetoexplainthefacilityandrapiditywithwhichtheythenpenetratedintothehumanmind。Thecounterpartofthisstateofthingswasexhibitedafterthedestructionoftheempire。TheRomanworldbeingthenasitwereshatteredintoathousandfragments，eachnationresumeditspristineindividuality。Aninfinitescaleofranksverysoongrewupinthebosomofthesenations;thedifferentracesweremoresharplydefined，andeachnationwasdividedbycastesintoseveralpeoples。Inthemidstofthiscommoneffort，whichseemedtobeurginghumansocietytothegreatestconceivableamountofvoluntarysubdivision，Christianitydidnotlosesightoftheleadinggeneralideaswhichithadbroughtintotheworld。Butitappeared，nevertheless，tolenditself，asmuchaswaspossible，tothosenewtendenciestowhichthefractionaldistributionofmankindhadgivenbirth。MencontinuedtoworshipanonlyGod，theCreatorandPreserverofallthings;buteverypeople，everycity，and，sotospeak，everyman，thoughttoobtainsomedistinctprivilege，andwinthefavorofanespecialpatronatthefootoftheThroneofGrace。UnabletosubdividetheDeity，theymultipliedandimproperlyenhancedtheimportanceofthedivineagents。ThehomageduetosaintsandangelsbecameanalmostidolatrousworshipamongstthemajorityoftheChristianworld;andapprehensionsmightbeentertainedforamomentlestthereligionofChristshouldretrogradetowardsthesuperstitionswhichithadsubdued。Itseemsevident，thatthemorethebarriersareremovedwhichseparatenationfromnationamongstmankind，andcitizenfromcitizenamongstapeople，thestrongeristhebentofthehumanmind，asifbyitsownimpulse，towardstheideaofanonlyandall—powerfulBeing，dispensingequallawsinthesamemannertoeveryman。Indemocraticages，then，itismoreparticularlyimportantnottoallowthehomagepaidtosecondaryagentstobeconfoundedwiththeworshipduetotheCreatoralone。
　　Anothertruthisnolessclear—thatreligionsoughttoassumefewerexternalobservancesindemocraticperiodsthanatanyothers。InspeakingofphilosophicalmethodamongtheAmericans，Ihaveshownthatnothingismorerepugnanttothehumanmindinanageofequalitythantheideaofsubjectiontoforms。Menlivingatsuchtimesareimpatientoffigures;totheireyessymbolsappeartobethepuerileartificewhichisusedtoconcealortosetofftruths，whichshouldmorenaturallybebaredtothelightofopenday:theyareunmovedbyceremonialobservances，andtheyarepredisposedtoattachasecondaryimportancetothedetailsofpublicworship。Thosewhosecareitistoregulatetheexternalformsofreligioninademocraticageshouldpayacloseattentiontothesenaturalpropensitiesofthehumanmind，inordernotunnecessarilytoruncountertothem。I
　　firmlybelieveinthenecessityofforms，whichfixthehumanmindinthecontemplationofabstracttruths，andstimulateitsardorinthepursuitofthem，whilsttheyinvigorateitspowersofretainingthemsteadfastly。NordoIsupposethatitispossibletomaintainareligionwithoutexternalobservances;
　　but，ontheotherhand，Iampersuadedthat，intheagesuponwhichweareentering，itwouldbepeculiarlydangeroustomultiplythembeyondmeasure;andthattheyoughtrathertobelimitedtoasmuchasisabsolutelynecessarytoperpetuatethedoctrineitself，whichisthesubstanceofreligionsofwhichtheritualisonlytheform。*aAreligionwhichshouldbecomemoreminute，moreperemptory，andmoresurchargedwithsmallobservancesatatimeinwhichmenarebecomingmoreequal，wouldsoonfinditselfreducedtoabandoffanaticalzealotsinthemidstofaninfidelpeople。
　　[Footnotea:Inallreligionstherearesomeceremonieswhichareinherentinthesubstanceofthefaithitself，andinthesenothingshould，onanyaccount，bechanged。ThisisespeciallythecasewithRomanCatholicism，inwhichthedoctrineandtheformarefrequentlysocloselyunitedastoformonepointofbelief。]
　　Ianticipatetheobjection，thatasallreligionshavegeneralandeternaltruthsfortheirobject，theycannotthusshapethemselvestotheshiftingspiritofeveryagewithoutforfeitingtheirclaimtocertaintyintheeyesofmankind。TothisIreplyagain，thattheprincipalopinionswhichconstitutebelief，andwhichtheologianscallarticlesoffaith，mustbeverycarefullydistinguishedfromtheaccessoriesconnectedwiththem。Religionsareobligedtoholdfasttotheformer，whateverbethepeculiarspiritoftheage;buttheyshouldtakegoodcarenottobindthemselvesinthesamemannertothelatteratatimewheneverythingisintransition，andwhenthemind，accustomedtothemovingpageantofhumanaffairs，reluctantlyendurestheattempttofixittoanygivenpoint。Thefixityofexternalandsecondarythingscanonlyaffordachanceofdurationwhencivilsocietyisitselffixed;underanyothercircumstancesIholdittobeperilous。
　　Weshallhaveoccasiontoseethat，ofallthepassionswhichoriginatein，orarefosteredby，equality，thereisonewhichitrenderspeculiarlyintense，andwhichitinfusesatthesametimeintotheheartofeveryman:Imeantheloveofwell—being。Thetasteforwell—beingistheprominentandindeliblefeatureofdemocraticages。Itmaybebelievedthatareligionwhichshouldundertaketodestroysodeepseatedapassion，wouldmeetitsowndestructionthenceintheend;andifitattemptedtoweanmenentirelyfromthecontemplationofthegoodthingsofthisworld，inordertodevotetheirfacultiesexclusivelytothethoughtofanother，itmaybeforeseenthatthesoulwouldatlengthescapefromitsgrasp，toplungeintotheexclusiveenjoymentofpresentandmaterialpleasures。Thechiefconcernofreligionsistopurify，toregulate，andtorestraintheexcessiveandexclusivetasteforwell—beingwhichmenfeelatperiodsofequality;buttheywoulderrinattemptingtocontrolitcompletelyortoeradicateit。Theywillnotsucceedincuringmenoftheloveofriches:buttheymaystillpersuadementoenrichthemselvesbynonebuthonestmeans。
　　Thisbringsmetoafinalconsideration，whichcomprises，asitwere，alltheothers。Themoretheconditionsofmenareequalizedandassimilatedtoeachother，themoreimportantisitforreligions，whilsttheycarefullyabstainfromthedailyturmoilofsecularaffairs，notneedlesslytoruncountertotheideaswhichgenerallyprevail，andthepermanentinterestswhichexistinthemassofthepeople。Foraspublicopiniongrowstobemoreandmoreevidentlythefirstandmostirresistibleofexistingpowers，thereligiousprinciplehasnoexternalsupportstrongenoughtoenableitlongtoresistitsattacks。Thisisnotlesstrueofademocraticpeople，ruledbyadespot，thaninarepublic。Inagesofequality，kingsmayoftencommandobedience，butthemajorityalwayscommandsbelief:tothemajority，therefore，deferenceistobepaidinwhatsoeverisnotcontrarytothefaith。
　　IshowedinmyformervolumeshowtheAmericanclergystandalooffromsecularaffairs。Thisisthemostobvious，butitisnottheonly，exampleoftheirself—restraint。InAmericareligionisadistinctsphere，inwhichthepriestissovereign，butoutofwhichhetakescarenevertogo。Withinitslimitsheisthemasterofthemind;beyondthem，heleavesmentothemselves，andsurrendersthemtotheindependenceandinstabilitywhichbelongtotheirnatureandtheirage。IhaveseennocountryinwhichChristianityisclothedwithfewerforms，figures，andobservancesthanintheUnitedStates;orwhereitpresentsmoredistinct，moresimple，ormoregeneralnotionstothemind。AlthoughtheChristiansofAmericaaredividedintoamultitudeofsects，theyalllookupontheirreligioninthesamelight。ThisappliestoRomanCatholicismaswellastotheotherformsofbelief。TherearenoRomishpriestswhoshowlesstastefortheminuteindividualobservancesforextraordinaryorpeculiarmeansofsalvation，orwhoclingmoretothespirit，andlesstotheletterofthelaw，thantheRomanCatholicpriestsoftheUnitedStates。NowhereisthatdoctrineoftheChurch，whichprohibitstheworshipreservedtoGodalonefrombeingofferedtothesaints，moreclearlyinculcatedormoregenerallyfollowed。YettheRomanCatholicsofAmericaareverysubmissiveandverysincere。
　　Anotherremarkisapplicabletotheclergyofeverycommunion。TheAmericanministersofthegospeldonotattempttodrawortofixallthethoughtsofmanuponthelifetocome;
　　theyarewillingtosurrenderaportionofhishearttothecaresofthepresent;seemingtoconsiderthegoodsofthisworldasimportant，althoughassecondary，objects。Iftheytakenopartthemselvesinproductivelabor，theyareatleastinterestedinitsprogression，andreadytoapplauditsresults;andwhilsttheyneverceasetopointtotheotherworldasthegreatobjectofthehopesandfearsofthebeliever，theydonotforbidhimhonestlytocourtprosperityinthis。Farfromattemptingtoshowthatthesethingsaredistinctandcontrarytooneanother，theystudyrathertofindoutonwhatpointtheyaremostnearlyandcloselyconnected。
　　AlltheAmericanclergyknowandrespecttheintellectualsupremacyexercisedbythemajority;theyneversustainanybutnecessaryconflictswithit。Theytakenoshareinthealtercationsofparties，buttheyreadilyadoptthegeneralopinionsoftheircountryandtheirage;andtheyallowthemselvestobeborneawaywithoutoppositioninthecurrentoffeelingandopinionbywhicheverythingaroundthemiscarriedalong。Theyendeavortoamendtheircontemporaries，buttheydonotquitfellowshipwiththem。Publicopinionisthereforeneverhostiletothem;itrathersupportsandprotectsthem;andtheirbeliefowesitsauthorityatthesametimetothestrengthwhichisitsown，andtothatwhichtheyborrowfromtheopinionsofthemajority。Thusitisthat，byrespectingalldemocratictendenciesnotabsolutelycontrarytoherself，andbymakinguseofseveralofthemforherownpurposes，religionsustainsanadvantageousstrugglewiththatspiritofindividualindependencewhichishermostdangerousantagonist。
　　BookOne—ChaptersVI—IX
　　ChapterVI:OfTheProgressOfRomanCatholicismInTheUnitedStatesAmericaisthemostdemocraticcountryintheworld，anditisatthesametime（accordingtoreportsworthyofbelief）thecountryinwhichtheRomanCatholicreligionmakesmostprogress。
　　Atfirstsightthisissurprising。Twothingsmustherebeaccuratelydistinguished:equalityinclinesmentowishtoformtheirownopinions;but，ontheotherhand，itimbuesthemwiththetasteandtheideaofunity，simplicity，andimpartialityinthepowerwhichgovernssociety。Menlivingindemocraticagesarethereforeverypronetoshakeoffallreligiousauthority;
　　butiftheyconsenttosubjectthemselvestoanyauthorityofthiskind，theychooseatleastthatitshouldbesingleanduniform。Religiouspowersnotradiatingfromacommoncentrearenaturallyrepugnanttotheirminds;andtheyalmostasreadilyconceivethatthereshouldbenoreligion，asthatthereshouldbeseveral。Atthepresenttime，morethaninanyprecedingone，RomanCatholicsareseentolapseintoinfidelity，andProtestantstobeconvertedtoRomanCatholicism。IftheRomanCatholicfaithbeconsideredwithinthepaleofthechurch，itwouldseemtobelosingground;withoutthatpale，tobegainingit。Noristhiscircumstancedifficultofexplanation。Themenofourdaysarenaturallydisposedtobelieve;but，assoonastheyhaveanyreligion，theyimmediatelyfindinthemselvesalatentpropensitywhichurgesthemunconsciouslytowardsCatholicism。ManyofthedoctrinesandthepracticesoftheRomishChurchastonishthem;buttheyfeelasecretadmirationforitsdiscipline，anditsgreatunityattractsthem。IfCatholicismcouldatlengthwithdrawitselffromthepoliticalanimositiestowhichithasgivenrise，Ihavehardlyanydoubtbutthatthesamespiritoftheage，whichappearstobesoopposedtoit，wouldbecomesofavorableastoadmitofitsgreatandsuddenadvancement。Oneofthemostordinaryweaknessesofthehumanintellectistoseektoreconcilecontraryprinciples，andtopurchasepeaceattheexpenseoflogic。Thustherehaveeverbeen，andwilleverbe，menwho，afterhavingsubmittedsomeportionoftheirreligiousbelieftotheprincipleofauthority，willseektoexemptseveralotherpartsoftheirfaithfromitsinfluence，andtokeeptheirmindsfloatingatrandombetweenlibertyandobedience。ButIaminclinedtobelievethatthenumberofthesethinkerswillbelessindemocraticthaninotherages;andthatourposteritywilltendmoreandmoretoasingledivisionintotwoparts—somerelinquishingChristianityentirely，andothersreturningtothebosomoftheChurchofRome。
　　ChapterVII:OfTheCauseOfALeaningToPantheismAmongstDemocraticNationsIshalltakeoccasionhereaftertoshowunderwhatformthepreponderatingtasteofademocraticpeopleforverygeneralideasmanifestsitselfinpolitics;butIwouldpointout，atthepresentstageofmywork，itsprincipaleffectonphilosophy。Itcannotbedeniedthatpantheismhasmadegreatprogressinourage。ThewritingsofapartofEuropebearvisiblemarksofit:
　　theGermansintroduceitintophilosophy，andtheFrenchintoliterature。MostoftheworksofimaginationpublishedinFrancecontainsomeopinionsorsometingecaughtfrompantheisticaldoctrines，ortheydisclosesometendencytosuchdoctrinesintheirauthors。Thisappearstomenotonlytoproceedfromanaccidental，butfromapermanentcause。
　　Whentheconditionsofsocietyarebecomingmoreequal，andeachindividualmanbecomesmorelikealltherest，moreweakandmoreinsignificant，ahabitgrowsupofceasingtonoticethecitizenstoconsideronlythepeople，andofoverlookingindividualstothinkonlyoftheirkind。Atsuchtimesthehumanmindseekstoembraceamultitudeofdifferentobjectsatonce;
　　anditconstantlystrivestosucceedinconnectingavarietyofconsequenceswithasinglecause。Theideaofunitysopossessesitselfofman，andissoughtforbyhimsouniversally，thatifhethinkshehasfoundit，hereadilyyieldshimselfuptoreposeinthatbelief。NordoeshecontenthimselfwiththediscoverythatnothingisintheworldbutacreationandaCreator;stillembarrassedbythisprimarydivisionofthings，heseekstoexpandandtosimplifyhisconceptionbyincludingGodandtheuniverseinonegreatwhole。Iftherebeaphilosophicalsystemwhichteachesthatallthingsmaterialandimmaterial，visibleandinvisible，whichtheworldcontains，areonlytobeconsideredastheseveralpartsofanimmenseBeing，whichaloneremainsunchangedamidstthecontinualchangeandceaselesstransformationofallthatconstitutesit，wemayreadilyinferthatsuchasystem，althoughitdestroytheindividualityofman—nay，ratherbecauseitdestroysthatindividuality—willhavesecretcharmsformenlivingindemocracies。Alltheirhabitsofthoughtpreparethemtoconceiveit，andpredisposethemtoadoptit。Itnaturallyattractsandfixestheirimagination;itfostersthepride，whilstitsoothestheindolence，oftheirminds。Amongstthedifferentsystemsbywhoseaidphilosophyendeavorstoexplaintheuniverse，Ibelievepantheismtobeoneofthosemostfittedtoseducethehumanmindindemocraticages。
　　Againstitallwhoabideintheirattachmenttothetruegreatnessofmanshouldstruggleandcombine。
　　ChapterVIII:ThePrincipleOfEqualitySuggestsToTheAmericansTheIdeaOfTheIndefinitePerfectibilityOfManEqualitysuggeststothehumanmindseveralideaswhichwouldnothaveoriginatedfromanyothersource，anditmodifiesalmostallthosepreviouslyentertained。Itakeasanexampletheideaofhumanperfectibility，becauseitisoneoftheprincipalnotionsthattheintellectcanconceive，andbecauseitconstitutesofitselfagreatphilosophicaltheory，whichiseveryinstanttobetracedbyitsconsequencesinthepracticeofhumanaffairs。Althoughmanhasmanypointsofresemblancewiththebrutecreation，onecharacteristicispeculiartohimself—
　　heimproves:theyareincapableofimprovement。Mankindcouldnotfailtodiscoverthisdifferencefromitsearliestperiod。
　　Theideaofperfectibilityisthereforeasoldastheworld;
　　equalitydidnotgivebirthtoit，althoughithasimpartedtoitanovelcharacter。
　　Whenthecitizensofacommunityareclassedaccordingtotheirrank，theirprofession，ortheirbirth，andwhenallmenareconstrainedtofollowthecareerwhichhappenstoopenbeforethem，everyonethinksthattheutmostlimitsofhumanpoweraretobediscernedinproximitytohimself，andnoneseeksanylongertoresisttheinevitablelawofhisdestiny。Notindeedthatanaristocraticpeopleabsolutelycontestsman’sfacultyofself—improvement，buttheydonotholdittobeindefinite;
　　ameliorationtheyconceive，butnotchange:theyimaginethatthefutureconditionofsocietymaybebetter，butnotessentiallydifferent;andwhilsttheyadmitthatmankindhasmadevaststridesinimprovement，andmaystillhavesometomake，theyassigntoitbeforehandcertainimpassablelimits。Thustheydonotpresumethattheyhavearrivedatthesupremegoodoratabsolutetruth（whatpeopleorwhatmanwaseverwildenoughtoimagineit？）buttheycherishapersuasionthattheyhaveprettynearlyreachedthatdegreeofgreatnessandknowledgewhichourimperfectnatureadmitsof;andasnothingmovesaboutthemtheyarewillingtofancythateverythingisinitsfitplace。Thenitisthatthelegislatoraffectstolaydowneternallaws;thatkingsandnationswillraisenonebutimperishablemonuments;andthatthepresentgenerationundertakestosparegenerationstocomethecareofregulatingtheirdestinies。
　　Inproportionascastesdisappearandtheclassesofsocietyapproximate—asmanners，customs，andlawsvary，fromthetumultuousintercourseofmen—asnewfactsarise—asnewtruthsarebroughttolight—asancientopinionsaredissipated，andotherstaketheirplace—theimageofanidealperfection，foreveronthewing，presentsitselftothehumanmind。Continualchangesaretheneveryinstantoccurringundertheobservationofeveryman:thepositionofsomeisrenderedworse;andhelearnsbuttoowell，thatnopeopleandnoindividual，howenlightenedsoevertheymaybe，canlayclaimtoinfallibility;—theconditionofothersisimproved;whenceheinfersthatmanisendowedwithanindefinitefacultyofimprovement。Hisreversesteachhimthatnonemayhopetohavediscoveredabsolutegood—
　　hissuccessstimulateshimtothenever—endingpursuitofit。
　　Thus，foreverseeking—foreverfalling，toriseagain—oftendisappointed，butnotdiscouraged—hetendsunceasinglytowardsthatunmeasuredgreatnesssoindistinctlyvisibleattheendofthelongtrackwhichhumanityhasyettotread。Itcanhardlybebelievedhowmanyfactsnaturallyflowfromthephilosophicaltheoryoftheindefiniteperfectibilityofman，orhowstronganinfluenceitexercisesevenonmenwho，livingentirelyforthepurposesofactionandnotofthought，seemtoconformtheiractionstoit，withoutknowinganythingaboutit。IaccostanAmericansailor，andIinquirewhytheshipsofhiscountryarebuiltsoastolastbutforashorttime;heanswerswithouthesitationthattheartofnavigationiseverydaymakingsuchrapidprogress，thatthefinestvesselwouldbecomealmostuselessifitlastedbeyondacertainnumberofyears。Inthesewords，whichfellaccidentallyandonaparticularsubjectfromamanofrudeattainments，Irecognizethegeneralandsystematicideauponwhichagreatpeopledirectsallitsconcerns。
　　Aristocraticnationsarenaturallytooapttonarrowthescopeofhumanperfectibility;democraticnationstoexpanditbeyondcompass。
　　ChapterIX:TheExampleOfTheAmericansDoesNotProveThatA
　　DemocraticPeopleCanHaveNoAptitudeAndNoTasteForScience，Literature，OrArtItmustbeacknowledgedthatamongstfewofthecivilizednationsofourtimehavethehighersciencesmadelessprogressthanintheUnitedStates;andinfewhavegreatartists，finepoets，orcelebratedwritersbeenmorerare。ManyEuropeans，struckbythisfact，havelookeduponitasanaturalandinevitableresultofequality;andtheyhavesupposedthatifademocraticstateofsocietyanddemocraticinstitutionswereevertoprevailoverthewholeearth，thehumanmindwouldgraduallyfinditsbeacon—lightsgrowdim，andmenwouldrelapseintoaperiodofdarkness。Toreasonthusis，Ithink，toconfoundseveralideaswhichitisimportanttodivideandtoexamineseparately:itistomingle，unintentionally，whatisdemocraticwithwhatisonlyAmerican。
　　Thereligionprofessedbythefirstemigrants，andbequeathedbythemtotheirdescendants，simpleinitsformofworship，austereandalmostharshinitsprinciples，andhostiletoexternalsymbolsandtoceremonialpomp，isnaturallyunfavorabletothefinearts，andonlyyieldsareluctantsufferancetothepleasuresofliterature。TheAmericansareaveryoldandaveryenlightenedpeople，whohavefallenuponanewandunboundedcountry，wheretheymayextendthemselvesatpleasure，andwhichtheymayfertilizewithoutdifficulty。Thisstateofthingsiswithoutaparallelinthehistoryoftheworld。InAmerica，then，everyonefindsfacilities，unknownelsewhere，formakingorincreasinghisfortune。Thespiritofgainisalwaysonthestretch，andthehumanmind，constantlydivertedfromthepleasuresofimaginationandthelaborsoftheintellect，isthereswayedbynoimpulsebutthepursuitofwealth。NotonlyaremanufacturingandcommercialclassestobefoundintheUnitedStates，astheyareinallothercountries;
　　butwhatneveroccurredelsewhere，thewholecommunityissimultaneouslyengagedinproductiveindustryandcommerce。Iamconvincedthat，iftheAmericanshadbeenaloneintheworld，withthefreedomandtheknowledgeacquiredbytheirforefathers，andthepassionswhicharetheirown，theywouldnothavebeenslowtodiscoverthatprogresscannotlongbemadeintheapplicationofthescienceswithoutcultivatingthetheoryofthem;thatalltheartsareperfectedbyoneanother:and，howeverabsorbedtheymighthavebeenbythepursuitoftheprincipalobjectoftheirdesires，theywouldspeedilyhaveadmitted，thatitisnecessarytoturnasidefromitoccasionally，inorderthebettertoattainitintheend。
　　Thetasteforthepleasuresofthemindismoreoversonaturaltotheheartofcivilizedman，thatamongstthepolitenations，whichareleastdisposedtogivethemselvesuptothesepursuits，acertainnumberofcitizensarealwaystobefoundwhotakepartinthem。Thisintellectualcraving，whenoncefelt，wouldverysoonhavebeensatisfied。ButattheverytimewhentheAmericanswerenaturallyinclinedtorequirenothingofsciencebutitsspecialapplicationstotheusefulartsandthemeansofrenderinglifecomfortable，learnedandliteraryEuropewasengagedinexploringthecommonsourcesoftruth，andinimprovingatthesametimeallthatcanministertothepleasuresorsatisfythewantsofman。AttheheadoftheenlightenednationsoftheOldWorldtheinhabitantsoftheUnitedStatesmoreparticularlydistinguishedone，towhichtheywerecloselyunitedbyacommonoriginandbykindredhabits。Amongstthispeopletheyfounddistinguishedmenofscience，artistsofskill，writersofeminence，andtheywereenabledtoenjoythetreasuresoftheintellectwithoutrequiringtolaborinamassingthem。I
　　cannotconsenttoseparateAmericafromEurope，inspiteoftheoceanwhichintervenes。IconsiderthepeopleoftheUnitedStatesasthatportionoftheEnglishpeoplewhichiscommissionedtoexplorethewildsoftheNewWorld;whilsttherestofthenation，enjoyingmoreleisureandlessharassedbythedrudgeryoflife，maydevoteitsenergiestothought，andenlargeinalldirectionstheempireofthemind。
　　ThepositionoftheAmericansisthereforequiteexceptional，anditmaybebelievedthatnodemocraticpeoplewilleverbeplacedinasimilarone。TheirstrictlyPuritanicalorigin—theirexclusivelycommercialhabits—eventhecountrytheyinhabit，whichseemstodiverttheirmindsfromthepursuitofscience，literature，andthearts—theproximityofEurope，whichallowsthemtoneglectthesepursuitswithoutrelapsingintobarbarism—
　　athousandspecialcauses，ofwhichIhaveonlybeenabletopointoutthemostimportant—havesingularlyconcurredtofixthemindoftheAmericanuponpurelypracticalobjects。Hispassions，hiswants，hiseducation，andeverythingabouthimseemtouniteindrawingthenativeoftheUnitedStatesearthward:
　　hisreligionalonebidshimturn，fromtimetotime，atransientanddistractedglancetoheaven。LetusceasethentoviewalldemocraticnationsunderthemaskoftheAmericanpeople，andletusattempttosurveythematlengthwiththeirownproperfeatures。