This，itmaybesaid，canonlybeapplicabletothosemembersofthecommunitywhoareinhumblecircumstances;
　　wealthierindividualswilldisplaytastesakintothosewhichbelongedtotheminaristocraticages。Icontesttheproposition:inpointofphysicalgratifications，themostopulentmembersofademocracywillnotdisplaytastesverydifferentfromthoseofthepeople;whetheritbethat，springingfromthepeople，theyreallysharethosetastes，orthattheyesteemitadutytosubmittothem。Indemocraticsocietythesensualityofthepublichastakenamoderateandtranquilcourse，towhichallareboundtoconform:itisasdifficulttodepartfromthecommonrulebyone’svicesasbyone’svirtues。
　　Richmenwholiveamidstdemocraticnationsarethereforemoreintentonprovidingfortheirsmallestwantsthanfortheirextraordinaryenjoyments;theygratifyanumberofpettydesires，withoutindulginginanygreatirregularitiesofpassion:thustheyaremoreapttobecomeenervatedthandebauched。
　　Theespecialtastewhichthemenofdemocraticagesentertainforphysicalenjoymentsisnotnaturallyopposedtotheprinciplesofpublicorder;nay，itoftenstandsinneedoforderthatitmaybegratified。Norisitadversetoregularityofmorals，forgoodmoralscontributetopublictranquillityandarefavorabletoindustry。Itmayevenbefrequentlycombinedwithaspeciesofreligiousmorality:menwishtobeaswelloffastheycaninthisworld，withoutforegoingtheirchanceofanother。
　　Somephysicalgratificationscannotbeindulgedinwithoutcrime;
　　fromsuchtheystrictlyabstain。Theenjoymentofothersissanctionedbyreligionandmorality;tothesetheheart，theimagination，andlifeitselfareunreservedlygivenup;till，insnatchingattheselessergifts，menlosesightofthosemorepreciouspossessionswhichconstitutethegloryandthegreatnessofmankind。ThereproachIaddresstotheprincipleofequality，isnotthatitleadsmenawayinthepursuitofforbiddenenjoyments，butthatitabsorbsthemwhollyinquestofthosewhichareallowed。Bythesemeans，akindofvirtuousmaterialismmayultimatelybeestablishedintheworld，whichwouldnotcorrupt，butenervatethesoul，andnoiselesslyunbenditsspringsofaction。
　　ChapterXII:CausesOfFanaticalEnthusiasmInSomeAmericansAlthoughthedesireofacquiringthegoodthingsofthisworldistheprevailingpassionoftheAmericanpeople，certainmomentaryoutbreaksoccur，whentheirsoulsseemsuddenlytoburstthebondsofmatterbywhichtheyarerestrained，andtosoarimpetuouslytowardsheaven。InalltheStatesoftheUnion，butespeciallyinthehalf—peopledcountryoftheFarWest，wanderingpreachersmaybemetwithwhohawkaboutthewordofGodfromplacetoplace。Wholefamilies—oldmen，women，andchildren—crossroughpassesanduntroddenwilds，comingfromagreatdistance，tojoinacamp—meeting，wheretheytotallyforgetforseveraldaysandnights，inlisteningtothesediscourses，thecaresofbusinessandeventhemosturgentwantsofthebody。Hereandthere，inthemidstofAmericansociety，youmeetwithmen，fullofafanaticalandalmostwildenthusiasm，whichhardlyexistsinEurope。Fromtimetotimestrangesectsarise，whichendeavortostrikeoutextraordinarypathstoeternalhappiness。ReligiousinsanityisverycommonintheUnitedStates。
　　Noroughtthesefactstosurpriseus。Itwasnotmanwhoimplantedinhimselfthetasteforwhatisinfiniteandtheloveofwhatisimmortal:thoseloftyinstinctsarenottheoffspringofhiscapriciouswill;theirsteadfastfoundationisfixedinhumannature，andtheyexistinspiteofhisefforts。Hemaycrossanddistortthem—destroythemhecannot。Thesoulhaswantswhichmustbesatisfied;andwhateverpainsbetakentodivertitfromitself，itsoongrowsweary，restless，anddisquietedamidsttheenjoymentsofsense。Ifeverthefacultiesofthegreatmajorityofmankindwereexclusivelybentuponthepursuitofmaterialobjects，itmightbeanticipatedthatanamazingreactionwouldtakeplaceinthesoulsofsomemen。Theywoulddriftatlargeintheworldofspirits，forfearofremainingshackledbytheclosebondageofthebody。
　　Itisnotthenwonderfulif，inthemidstofacommunitywhosethoughtstendearthward，asmallnumberofindividualsaretobefoundwhoturntheirlookstoheaven。Ishouldbesurprisedifmysticismdidnotsoonmakesomeadvanceamongstapeoplesolelyengagedinpromotingitsownworldlywelfare。ItissaidthatthedesertsoftheThebaidwerepeopledbythepersecutionsoftheemperorsandthemassacresoftheCircus;I
　　shouldrathersaythatitwasbytheluxuriesofRomeandtheEpicureanphilosophyofGreece。Iftheirsocialcondition，theirpresentcircumstances，andtheirlawsdidnotconfinethemindsoftheAmericanssocloselytothepursuitofworldlywelfare，itisprobablethattheywoulddisplaymorereserveandmoreexperiencewhenevertheirattentionisturnedtothingsimmaterial，andthattheywouldcheckthemselveswithoutdifficulty。Buttheyfeelimprisonedwithinboundswhichtheywillapparentlyneverbeallowedtopass。Assoonastheyhavepassedthesebounds，theirmindsknownotwheretofixthemselves，andtheyoftenrushunrestrainedbeyondtherangeofcommon—sense。
　　ChapterXIII:CausesOfTheRestlessSpiritOfAmericansInTheMidstOfTheirProsperityIncertainremotecornersoftheOldWorldyoumaystillsometimesstumbleuponasmalldistrictwhichseemstohavebeenforgottenamidstthegeneraltumult，andtohaveremainedstationarywhilsteverythingarounditwasinmotion。Theinhabitantsareforthemostpartextremelyignorantandpoor;
　　theytakenopartinthebusinessofthecountry，andtheyarefrequentlyoppressedbythegovernment;yettheircountenancesaregenerallyplacid，andtheirspiritslight。InAmericaIsawthefreestandmostenlightenedmen，placedinthehappiestcircumstanceswhichtheworldaffords:itseemedtomeasifacloudhabituallyhungupontheirbrow，andIthoughtthemseriousandalmostsadevenintheirpleasures。Thechiefreasonofthiscontrastisthattheformerdonotthinkoftheillstheyendure—thelatterareforeverbroodingoveradvantagestheydonotpossess。ItisstrangetoseewithwhatfeverishardortheAmericanspursuetheirownwelfare;andtowatchthevaguedreadthatconstantlytormentsthemlesttheyshouldnothavechosentheshortestpathwhichmayleadtoit。AnativeoftheUnitedStatesclingstothisworld’sgoodsasifhewerecertainnevertodie;andheissohastyingraspingatallwithinhisreach，thatonewouldsupposehewasconstantlyafraidofnotlivinglongenoughtoenjoythem。Heclutcheseverything，heholdsnothingfast，butsoonloosenshisgrasptopursuefreshgratifications。
　　IntheUnitedStatesamanbuildsahousetospendhislatteryearsinit，andhesellsitbeforetheroofison:heplantsagarden，andletsitjustasthetreesarecomingintobearing:hebringsafieldintotillage，andleavesothermentogatherthecrops:heembracesaprofession，andgivesitup:hesettlesinaplace，whichhesoonafterwardsleaves，tocarryhischangeablelongingselsewhere。Ifhisprivateaffairsleavehimanyleisure，heinstantlyplungesintothevortexofpolitics;
　　andifattheendofayearofunremittinglaborhefindshehasafewdays’vacation，hiseagercuriositywhirlshimoverthevastextentoftheUnitedStates，andhewilltravelfifteenhundredmilesinafewdays，toshakeoffhishappiness。Deathatlengthovertakeshim，butitisbeforeheiswearyofhisbootlesschaseofthatcompletefelicitywhichisforeveronthewing。
　　Atfirstsightthereissomethingsurprisinginthisstrangeunrestofsomanyhappymen，restlessinthemidstofabundance。
　　Thespectacleitselfishoweverasoldastheworld;thenoveltyistoseeawholepeoplefurnishanexemplificationofit。TheirtasteforphysicalgratificationsmustberegardedastheoriginalsourceofthatsecretinquietudewhichtheactionsoftheAmericansbetray，andofthatinconstancyofwhichtheyaffordfreshexampleseveryday。Hewhohassethisheartexclusivelyuponthepursuitofworldlywelfareisalwaysinahurry，forhehasbutalimitedtimeathisdisposaltoreachit，tograspit，andtoenjoyit。Therecollectionofthebrevityoflifeisaconstantspurtohim。Besidesthegoodthingswhichhepossesses，heeveryinstantfanciesathousandotherswhichdeathwillpreventhimfromtryingifhedoesnottrythemsoon。Thisthoughtfillshimwithanxiety，fear，andregret，andkeepshismindinceaselesstrepidation，whichleadshimperpetuallytochangehisplansandhisabode。Ifinadditiontothetasteforphysicalwell—beingasocialconditionbesuperadded，inwhichthelawsandcustomsmakenoconditionpermanent，hereisagreatadditionalstimulanttothisrestlessnessoftemper。Menwillthenbeseencontinuallytochangetheirtrack，forfearofmissingtheshortestcuttohappiness。Itmayreadilybeconceivedthatifmen，passionatelybentuponphysicalgratifications，desireeagerly，theyarealsoeasilydiscouraged:
　　astheirultimateobjectistoenjoy，themeanstoreachthatobjectmustbepromptandeasy，orthetroubleofacquiringthegratificationwouldbegreaterthanthegratificationitself。
　　Theirprevailingframeofmindthenisatonceardentandrelaxed，violentandenervated。Deathisoftenlessdreadedthanperseveranceincontinuouseffortstooneend。
　　TheequalityofconditionsleadsbyastillstraighterroadtoseveraloftheeffectswhichIhaveheredescribed。Whenalltheprivilegesofbirthandfortuneareabolished，whenallprofessionsareaccessibletoall，andaman’sownenergiesmayplacehimatthetopofanyoneofthem，aneasyandunboundedcareerseemsopentohisambition，andhewillreadilypersuadehimselfthatheisborntonovulgardestinies。Butthisisanerroneousnotion，whichiscorrectedbydailyexperience。Thesameequalitywhichallowseverycitizentoconceivetheseloftyhopes，rendersallthecitizenslessabletorealizethem:itcircumscribestheirpowersoneveryside，whilstitgivesfreerscopetotheirdesires。Notonlyaretheythemselvespowerless，buttheyaremetateverystepbyimmenseobstacles，whichtheydidnotatfirstperceive。Theyhavesweptawaytheprivilegesofsomeoftheirfellow—creatureswhichstoodintheirway，buttheyhaveopenedthedoortouniversalcompetition:thebarrierhaschangeditsshaperatherthanitsposition。Whenmenarenearlyalike，andallfollowthesametrack，itisverydifficultforanyoneindividualtowalkquickandcleaveawaythroughthedensethrongwhichsurroundsandpresseshim。Thisconstantstrifebetweenthepropensitiesspringingfromtheequalityofconditionsandthemeansitsuppliestosatisfythem，harassesandweariesthemind。
　　Itispossibletoconceivemenarrivedatadegreeoffreedomwhichshouldcompletelycontentthem;theywouldthenenjoytheirindependencewithoutanxietyandwithoutimpatience。
　　Butmenwillneverestablishanyequalitywithwhichtheycanbecontented。Whatevereffortsapeoplemaymake，theywillneversucceedinreducingalltheconditionsofsocietytoaperfectlevel;andeveniftheyunhappilyattainedthatabsoluteandcompletedepression，theinequalityofmindswouldstillremain，which，comingdirectlyfromthehandofGod，willforeverescapethelawsofman。Howeverdemocraticthenthesocialstateandthepoliticalconstitutionofapeoplemaybe，itiscertainthateverymemberofthecommunitywillalwaysfindoutseveralpointsabouthimwhichcommandhisownposition;andwemayforeseethathislookswillbedoggedlyfixedinthatdirection。Wheninequalityofconditionsisthecommonlawofsociety，themostmarkedinequalitiesdonotstriketheeye:wheneverythingisnearlyonthesamelevel，theslightestaremarkedenoughtohurtit。Hencethedesireofequalityalwaysbecomesmoreinsatiableinproportionasequalityismorecomplete。
　　Amongstdemocraticnationsmeneasilyattainacertainequalityofconditions:theycanneverattaintheequalitytheydesire。Itperpetuallyretiresfrombeforethem，yetwithouthidingitselffromtheirsight，andinretiringdrawsthemon。
　　Ateverymomenttheythinktheyareabouttograspit;itescapesateverymomentfromtheirhold。Theyarenearenoughtoseeitscharms，buttoofarofftoenjoythem;andbeforetheyhavefullytasteditsdelightstheydie。Tothesecausesmustbeattributedthatstrangemelancholywhichoftentimeswillhaunttheinhabitantsofdemocraticcountriesinthemidstoftheirabundance，andthatdisgustatlifewhichsometimesseizesupontheminthemidstofcalmandeasycircumstances。ComplaintsaremadeinFrancethatthenumberofsuicidesincreases;inAmericasuicideisrare，butinsanityissaidtobemorecommonthananywhereelse。Thesearealldifferentsymptomsofthesamedisease。TheAmericansdonotputanendtotheirlives，howeverdisquietedtheymaybe，becausetheirreligionforbidsit;andamongstthemmaterialismmaybesaidhardlytoexist，notwithstandingthegeneralpassionforphysicalgratification。
　　Thewillresists—reasonfrequentlygivesway。Indemocraticagesenjoymentsaremoreintensethanintheagesofaristocracy，andespeciallythenumberofthosewhopartakeinthemislarger:
　　but，ontheotherhand，itmustbeadmittedthatman’shopesandhisdesiresareoftenerblasted，thesoulismorestrickenandperturbed，andcareitselfmorekeen。
　　BookTwo—ChaptersXIV—XIII
　　ChapterXIV:TasteForPhysicalGratificationsUnitedInAmericaToLoveOfFreedomAndAttentionToPublicAffairsWhenademocraticstateturnstoabsolutemonarchy，theactivitywhichwasbeforedirectedtopublicandtoprivateaffairsisallatoncecentreduponthelatter:theimmediateconsequenceis，forsometime，greatphysicalprosperity;butthisimpulsesoonslackens，andtheamountofproductiveindustryischecked。Iknownotifasingletradingormanufacturingpeoplecanbecited，fromtheTyriansdowntotheFlorentinesandtheEnglish，whowerenotafreepeoplealso。Thereisthereforeaclosebondandnecessaryrelationbetweenthesetwoelements—
　　freedomandproductiveindustry。Thispropositionisgenerallytrueofallnations，butespeciallyofdemocraticnations。I
　　havealreadyshownthatmenwholiveinagesofequalitycontinuallyrequiretoformassociationsinordertoprocurethethingstheycovet;and，ontheotherhand，Ihaveshownhowgreatpoliticalfreedomimprovesanddiffusestheartofassociation。
　　Freedom，intheseages，isthereforeespeciallyfavorabletotheproductionofwealth;norisitdifficulttoperceivethatdespotismisespeciallyadversetothesameresult。Thenatureofdespoticpowerindemocraticagesisnottobefierceorcruel，butminuteandmeddling。Despotismofthiskind，thoughitdoesnottrampleonhumanity，isdirectlyopposedtothegeniusofcommerceandthepursuitsofindustry。
　　Thusthemenofdemocraticagesrequiretobefreeinordermorereadilytoprocurethosephysicalenjoymentsforwhichtheyarealwayslonging。Itsometimeshappens，however，thattheexcessivetastetheyconceiveforthesesameenjoymentsabandonsthemtothefirstmasterwhoappears。Thepassionforworldlywelfarethendefeatsitself，and，withoutperceivingit，throwstheobjectoftheirdesirestoagreaterdistance。
　　Thereis，indeed，amostdangerouspassageinthehistoryofademocraticpeople。Whenthetasteforphysicalgratificationsamongstsuchapeoplehasgrownmorerapidlythantheireducationandtheirexperienceoffreeinstitutions，thetimewillcomewhenmenarecarriedaway，andloseallself—restraint，atthesightofthenewpossessionstheyareabouttolayholdupon。Intheirintenseandexclusiveanxietytomakeafortune，theylosesightofthecloseconnectionwhichexistsbetweentheprivatefortuneofeachofthemandtheprosperityofall。Itisnotnecessarytodoviolencetosuchapeopleinordertostripthemoftherightstheyenjoy;theythemselveswillinglyloosentheirhold。Thedischargeofpoliticaldutiesappearstothemtobeatroublesomeannoyance，whichdivertsthemfromtheiroccupationsandbusiness。Iftheyberequiredtoelectrepresentatives，tosupporttheGovernmentbypersonalservice，tomeetonpublicbusiness，theyhavenotime—theycannotwastetheirprecioustimeinuselessengagements:suchidleamusementsareunsuitedtoseriousmenwhoareengagedwiththemoreimportantinterestsoflife。Thesepeoplethinktheyarefollowingtheprincipleofself—interest，buttheideatheyentertainofthatprincipleisaveryrudeone;andthebettertolookafterwhattheycalltheirbusiness，theyneglecttheirchiefbusiness，whichistoremaintheirownmasters。
　　Asthecitizenswhoworkdonotcaretoattendtopublicbusiness，andastheclasswhichmightdevoteitsleisuretothesedutieshasceasedtoexist，theplaceoftheGovernmentis，asitwere，unfilled。Ifatthatcriticalmomentsomeableandambitiousmangraspsthesupremepower，hewillfindtheroadtoeverykindofusurpationopenbeforehim。Ifhedoesbutattendforsometimetothematerialprosperityofthecountry，nomorewillbedemandedofhim。Aboveallhemustinsurepublictranquillity:menwhoarepossessedbythepassionofphysicalgratificationgenerallyfindoutthattheturmoiloffreedomdisturbstheirwelfare，beforetheydiscoverhowfreedomitselfservestopromoteit。Iftheslightestrumorofpubliccommotionintrudesintothepettypleasuresofprivatelife，theyarearousedandalarmedbyit。Thefearofanarchyperpetuallyhauntsthem，andtheyarealwaysreadytoflingawaytheirfreedomatthefirstdisturbance。
　　Ireadilyadmitthatpublictranquillityisagreatgood;
　　butatthesametimeIcannotforgetthatallnationshavebeenenslavedbybeingkeptingoodorder。Certainlyitisnottobeinferredthatnationsoughttodespisepublictranquillity;butthatstateoughtnottocontentthem。Anationwhichasksnothingofitsgovernmentbutthemaintenanceoforderisalreadyaslaveatheart—theslaveofitsownwell—being，awaitingbutthehandthatwillbindit。Bysuchanationthedespotismoffactionisnotlesstobedreadedthanthedespotismofanindividual。Whenthebulkofthecommunityisengrossedbyprivateconcerns，thesmallestpartiesneednotdespairofgettingtheupperhandinpublicaffairs。Atsuchtimesitisnotraretoseeuponthegreatstageoftheworld，asweseeatourtheatres，amultituderepresentedbyafewplayers，whoalonespeakinthenameofanabsentorinattentivecrowd:theyaloneareinactionwhilstallarestationary;theyregulateeverythingbytheirowncaprice;theychangethelaws，andtyrannizeatwilloverthemannersofthecountry;andthenmenwondertoseeintohowsmallanumberofweakandworthlesshandsagreatpeoplemayfall。
　　HithertotheAmericanshavefortunatelyescapedalltheperilswhichIhavejustpointedout;andinthisrespecttheyarereallydeservingofadmiration。PerhapsthereisnocountryintheworldwherefeweridlemenaretobemetwiththaninAmerica，orwhereallwhoworkaremoreeagertopromotetheirownwelfare。ButifthepassionoftheAmericansforphysicalgratificationsisvehement，atleastitisnotindiscriminating;
　　andreason，thoughunabletorestrainit，stilldirectsitscourse。AnAmericanattendstohisprivateconcernsasifhewerealoneintheworld，andthenextminutehegiveshimselfuptothecommonwealasifhehadforgottenthem。Atonetimeheseemsanimatedbythemostselfishcupidity，atanotherbythemostlivelypatriotism。Thehumanheartcannotbethusdivided。
　　TheinhabitantsoftheUnitedStatesalternatelydisplaysostrongandsosimilarapassionfortheirownwelfareandfortheirfreedom，thatitmaybesupposedthatthesepassionsareunitedandmingledinsomepartoftheircharacter。AndindeedtheAmericansbelievetheirfreedomtobethebestinstrumentandsurestsafeguardoftheirwelfare:theyareattachedtotheonebytheother。Theybynomeansthinkthattheyarenotcalledupontotakeapartinthepublicweal;theybelieve，onthecontrary，thattheirchiefbusinessistosecureforthemselvesagovernmentwhichwillallowthemtoacquirethethingstheycovet，andwhichwillnotdebarthemfromthepeacefulenjoymentofthosepossessionswhichtheyhaveacquired。
　　ChapterXV:ThatReligiousBeliefSometimesTurnsTheThoughtsOfTheAmericansToImmaterialPleasuresIntheUnitedStates，ontheseventhdayofeveryweek，thetradingandworkinglifeofthenationseemssuspended;allnoisescease;adeeptranquillity，sayratherthesolemncalmofmeditation，succeedstheturmoiloftheweek，andthesoulresumespossessionandcontemplationofitself。Uponthisdaythemartsoftrafficaredeserted;everymemberofthecommunity，accompaniedbyhischildren，goestochurch，wherehelistenstostrangelanguagewhichwouldseemunsuitedtohisear。Heistoldofthecountlessevilscausedbyprideandcovetousness:heisremindedofthenecessityofcheckinghisdesires，ofthefinerpleasureswhichbelongtovirtuealone，andofthetruehappinesswhichattendsit。Onhisreturnhome，hedoesnotturntotheledgersofhiscalling，butheopensthebookofHolyScripture;therehemeetswithsublimeoraffectingdescriptionsofthegreatnessandgoodnessoftheCreator，oftheinfinitemagnificenceofthehandiworkofGod，oftheloftydestiniesofman，ofhisduties，andofhisimmortalprivileges。ThusitisthattheAmericanattimesstealsanhourfromhimself;andlayingasideforawhilethepettypassionswhichagitatehislife，andtheephemeralinterestswhichengrossit，hestraysatonceintoanidealworld，whereallisgreat，eternal，andpure。
　　IhaveendeavoredtopointoutinanotherpartofthisworkthecausestowhichthemaintenanceofthepoliticalinstitutionsoftheAmericansisattributable;andreligionappearedtobeoneofthemostprominentamongstthem。IamnowtreatingoftheAmericansinanindividualcapacity，andIagainobservethatreligionisnotlessusefultoeachcitizenthantothewholeState。TheAmericansshow，bytheirpractice，thattheyfeelthehighnecessityofimpartingmoralitytodemocraticcommunitiesbymeansofreligion。Whattheythinkofthemselvesinthisrespectisatruthofwhicheverydemocraticnationoughttobethoroughlypersuaded。
　　Idonotdoubtthatthesocialandpoliticalconstitutionofapeoplepredisposesthemtoadoptacertainbeliefandcertaintastes，whichafterwardsflourishwithoutdifficultyamongstthem;whilstthesamecausesmaydivertapeoplefromcertainopinionsandpropensities，withoutanyvoluntaryeffort，and，asitwere，withoutanydistinctconsciousness，ontheirpart。Thewholeartofthelegislatoriscorrectlytodiscernbeforehandthesenaturalinclinationsofcommunitiesofmen，inordertoknowwhethertheyshouldbeassisted，orwhetheritmaynotbenecessarytocheckthem。Forthedutiesincumbentonthelegislatordifferatdifferenttimes;thegoaltowardswhichthehumanraceoughtevertobetendingisalonestationary;themeansofreachingitareperpetuallytobevaried。
　　IfIhadbeenborninanaristocraticage，inthemidstofanationwherethehereditarywealthofsome，andtheirremediablepenuryofothers，shouldequallydivertmenfromtheideaofbetteringtheircondition，andholdthesoulasitwereinastateoftorporfixedonthecontemplationofanotherworld，I
　　shouldthenwishthatitwerepossibleformetorousethatpeopletoasenseoftheirwants;IshouldseektodiscovermorerapidandmoreeasymeansforsatisfyingthefreshdesireswhichImighthaveawakened;and，directingthemoststrenuouseffortsofthehumanmindtophysicalpursuits，Ishouldendeavortostimulateittopromotethewell—beingofman。Ifithappenedthatsomemenwereimmoderatelyincitedtothepursuitofriches，anddisplayedanexcessivelikingforphysicalgratifications，I
　　shouldnotbealarmed;thesepeculiarsymptomswouldsoonbeabsorbedinthegeneralaspectofthepeople。
　　Theattentionofthelegislatorsofdemocraciesiscalledtoothercares。Givedemocraticnationseducationandfreedom，andleavethemalone。Theywillsoonlearntodrawfromthisworldallthebenefitswhichitcanafford;theywillimproveeachoftheusefularts，andwilldaybydayrenderlifemorecomfortable，moreconvenient，andmoreeasy。Theirsocialconditionnaturallyurgestheminthisdirection;Idonotfearthattheywillslackentheircourse。
　　Butwhilstmantakesdelightinthishonestandlawfulpursuitofhiswellbeing，itistobeapprehendedthathemayintheendlosetheuseofhissublimestfaculties;andthatwhilstheisbusiedinimprovingallaroundhim，hemayatlengthdegradehimself。Here，andhereonly，doestheperillie。Itshouldthereforebetheunceasingobjectofthelegislatorsofdemocracies，andofallthevirtuousandenlightenedmenwholivethere，toraisethesoulsoftheirfellow—citizens，andkeepthemlifteduptowardsheaven。Itisnecessarythatallwhofeelaninterestinthefuturedestiniesofdemocraticsocietyshouldunite，andthatallshouldmakejointandcontinualeffortstodiffusetheloveoftheinfinite，asenseofgreatness，andaloveofpleasuresnotofearth。Ifamongsttheopinionsofademocraticpeopleanyofthosepernicioustheoriesexistwhichtendtoinculcatethatallperisheswiththebody，letmenbywhomsuchtheoriesareprofessedbemarkedasthenaturalfoesofsuchapeople。
　　Thematerialistsareoffensivetomeinmanyrespects;theirdoctrinesIholdtobepernicious，andIamdisgustedattheirarrogance。Iftheirsystemcouldbeofanyutilitytoman，itwouldseemtobebygivinghimamodestopinionofhimself。Butthesereasonersshowthatitisnotso;andwhentheythinktheyhavesaidenoughtoestablishthattheyarebrutes，theyshowthemselvesasproudasiftheyhaddemonstratedthattheyaregods。Materialismis，amongstallnations，adangerousdiseaseofthehumanmind;butitismoreespeciallytobedreadedamongstademocraticpeople，becauseitreadilyamalgamateswiththatvicewhichismostfamiliartotheheartundersuchcircumstances。
　　Democracyencouragesatasteforphysicalgratification:thistaste，ifitbecomeexcessive，soondisposesmentobelievethatallismatteronly;andmaterialism，inturn，hurriesthembackwithmadimpatiencetothesesamedelights:suchisthefatalcirclewithinwhichdemocraticnationsaredrivenround。Itwerewellthattheyshouldseethedangerandholdback。
　　Mostreligionsareonlygeneral，simple，andpracticalmeansofteachingmenthedoctrineoftheimmortalityofthesoul。
　　Thatisthegreatestbenefitwhichademocraticpeoplederives，fromitsbelief，andhencebeliefismorenecessarytosuchapeoplethantoallothers。Whenthereforeanyreligionhasstruckitsrootsdeepintoademocracy，bewarelestyoudisturbthem;butratherwatchitcarefully，asthemostpreciousbequestofaristocraticages。Seeknottosupersedetheoldreligiousopinionsofmenbynewones;lestinthepassagefromonefaithtoanother，thesoulbeingleftforawhilestrippedofallbelief，theloveofphysicalgratificationsshouldgrowuponitandfillitwholly。
　　Thedoctrineofmetempsychosisisassuredlynotmorerationalthanthatofmaterialism;neverthelessifitwereabsolutelynecessarythatademocracyshouldchooseoneofthetwo，Ishouldnothesitatetodecidethatthecommunitywouldrunlessriskofbeingbrutalizedbybelievingthatthesoulofmanwillpassintothecarcassofahog，thanbybelievingthatthesoulofmanisnothingatall。Thebeliefinasupersensualandimmortalprinciple，unitedforatimetomatter，issoindispensabletoman’sgreatness，thatitseffectsarestrikingevenwhenitisnotunitedtothedoctrineoffuturerewardandpunishment;andwhenitholdsnomorethanthatafterdeaththedivineprinciplecontainedinmanisabsorbedintheDeity，ortransferredtoanimatetheframeofsomeothercreature。Menholdingsoimperfectabeliefwillstillconsiderthebodyasthesecondaryandinferiorportionoftheirnature，andtheywilldespiseitevenwhilsttheyyieldtoitsinfluence;whereastheyhaveanaturalesteemandsecretadmirationfortheimmaterialpartofman，eventhoughtheysometimesrefusetosubmittoitsdominion。Thatisenoughtogivealoftycasttotheiropinionsandtheirtastes，andtobidthemtendwithnointerestedmotive，andasitwerebyimpulse，topurefeelingsandelevatedthoughts。
　　ItisnotcertainthatSocratesandhisfollowershadveryfixedopinionsastowhatwouldbefallmanhereafter;butthesolepointofbeliefonwhichtheyweredetermined—thatthesoulhasnothingincommonwiththebody，andsurvivesit—wasenoughtogivethePlatonicphilosophythatsublimeaspirationbywhichitisdistinguished。ItisclearfromtheworksofPlato，thatmanyphilosophicalwriters，hispredecessorsorcontemporaries，professedmaterialism。Thesewritershavenotreachedus，orhavereachedusinmerefragments。Thesamethinghashappenedinalmostallages;thegreaterpartofthemostfamousmindsinliteratureadheretothedoctrinesofasupersensualphilosophy。Theinstinctandthetasteofthehumanracemaintainthosedoctrines;theysavethemoftentimesinspiteofmenthemselves，andraisethenamesoftheirdefendersabovethetideoftime。Itmustnotthenbesupposedthatatanyperiodorunderanypoliticalcondition，thepassionforphysicalgratifications，andtheopinionswhicharesuperinducedbythatpassion，canevercontentawholepeople。Theheartofmanisofalargermould:itcanatoncecompriseatasteforthepossessionsofearthandtheloveofthoseofheaven:attimesitmayseemtoclingdevotedlytotheone，butitwillneverbelongwithoutthinkingoftheother。
　　Ifitbeeasytoseethatitismoreparticularlyimportantindemocraticagesthatspiritualopinionsshouldprevail，itisnoteasytosaybywhatmeansthosewhogoverndemocraticnationsmaymakethempredominate。Iamnobelieverintheprosperity，anymorethaninthedurability，ofofficialphilosophies;andastostatereligions，Ihavealwaysheld，thatiftheybesometimesofmomentaryservicetotheinterestsofpoliticalpower，theyalways，soonerorlater，becomefataltotheChurch。NordoI
　　thinkwiththosewhoassert，thattoraisereligionintheeyesofthepeople，andtomakethemdohonortoherspiritualdoctrines，itisdesirableindirectlytogiveherministersapoliticalinfluencewhichthelawsdenythem。Iamsomuchalivetothealmostinevitabledangerswhichbesetreligiousbeliefwhenevertheclergytakepartinpublicaffairs，andIamsoconvincedthatChristianitymustbemaintainedatanycostinthebosomofmoderndemocracies，thatIhadrathershutupthepriesthoodwithinthesanctuarythanallowthemtostepbeyondit。
　　Whatmeansthenremaininthehandsofconstitutedauthoritiestobringmenbacktospiritualopinions，ortoholdthemfasttothereligionbywhichthoseopinionsaresuggested？
　　Myanswerwilldomeharmintheeyesofpoliticians。Ibelievethatthesoleeffectualmeanswhichgovernmentscanemployinordertohavethedoctrineoftheimmortalityofthesouldulyrespected，isevertoactasiftheybelievedinitthemselves;
　　andIthinkthatitisonlybyscrupulousconformitytoreligiousmoralityingreataffairsthattheycanhopetoteachthecommunityatlargetoknow，tolove，andtoobserveitinthelesserconcernsoflife。
　　ChapterXVI:ThatExcessiveCareOfWorldlyWelfareMayImpairThatWelfareThereisaclosertiethaniscommonlysupposedbetweentheimprovementofthesoulandtheameliorationofwhatbelongstothebody。Manmayleavethesetwothingsapart，andconsidereachofthemalternately;buthecannotseverthementirelywithoutatlastlosingsightofoneandoftheother。Thebeastshavethesamesensesasourselves，andverynearlythesameappetites。Wehavenosensualpassionswhicharenotcommontoourraceandtheirs，andwhicharenottobefound，atleastinthegerm，inadogaswellasinaman。Whenceisitthenthattheanimalscanonlyprovidefortheirfirstandlowestwants，whereaswecaninfinitelyvaryandendlesslyincreaseourenjoyments？
　　Wearesuperiortothebeastsinthis，thatweuseoursoulstofindoutthosematerialbenefitstowhichtheyareonlyledbyinstinct。Inman，theangelteachesthebrutetheartofcontentingitsdesires。Itisbecausemaniscapableofrisingabovethethingsofthebody，andofcontemninglifeitself，ofwhichthebeastshavenottheleastnotion，thathecanmultiplythesesamethingsofthebodytoadegreewhichinferiorracesareequallyunabletoconceive。Whateverelevates，enlarges，andexpandsthesoul，rendersitmorecapableofsucceedinginthoseveryundertakingswhichconcernitnot。Whatever，ontheotherhand，enervatesorlowersit，weakensitforallpurposes，thechiefest，aswellastheleast，andthreatenstorenderitalmostequallyimpotentfortheoneandfortheother。Hencethesoulmustremaingreatandstrong，thoughitwereonlytodevoteitsstrengthandgreatnessfromtimetotimetotheserviceofthebody。Ifmenwereevertocontentthemselveswithmaterialobjects，itisprobablethattheywouldlosebydegreestheartofproducingthem;andtheywouldenjoythemintheend，likethebrutes，withoutdiscernmentandwithoutimprovement。