Chapter VIII

OUTLINES OF THE HISTORY OF THE SPANISH INTELLECT FROM THE FIFTH TO THE
MIDDLE OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.

In the preceding Chapters four propositions have been
established 425-426

The truth of which may be further verified by studying the
history of Spain 426

In Spain, superstition is encouraged by physical phenomena 426-434

It was also encouraged by the great Arian war with France 434-439

And, subsequently, by the war with the Mohammedans 439-444

These three causes influenced the policy of Ferdinand and
Isabella 444-446

Continuation of the same policy by Charles V. and by Philip II. 446-453

Philip II., notwithstanding his repulsive qualities, was loved
by the nation 453-455

Their affection for him was the result of general causes,
which, during several centuries, have made the Spaniards the
most loyal people in Europe 455

Origin of Spanish loyalty, and evidence of it 455-461

Loyalty became united with superstition, and each strengthened
the other 461-462

In consequence of this union, great foreign conquests were
made, and a great military spirit was developed 461-465

But this sort of progress, depending too much upon individuals,
is necessarily unstable 465-466

The progress of England, on the other hand, depends upon the
ability of the nation, and therefore, continues, whether
individual rulers are skilful, or whether they are unskilful 466-467

In Spain, the ruling classes were supreme; the people counted
for nothing; and hence the grandeur of the country, which was
raised up by the able princes of the sixteenth century, was as
quickly pulled down by the weak princes of the seventeenth 467-472

The decay of Spain, in the seventeenth century, was connected
with the increasing influence of the clergy 472-483

The first use which the clergy made of their power was to expel
all the Moors 483-496

Effect of this expulsion in impoverishing Spain 497-499

Decline of manufactures, and of population, and increase of
poverty 499-511

In 1700, when affairs were at their worst, the Austrian dynasty
was succeeded by the Bourbon 513-514

Spain was now ruled by foreigners 514-520

Who endeavoured to improve the country by weakening the church 521-525

But the authority of the church had so enfeebled the national
intellect, that the people, immersed in ignorance, remained
inert 525-543

Government attempted to remedy this ignorance by calling in
foreign aid 534-545

The influence of foreigners in Spain was displayed in the
expulsion of the Jesuits, in 1767 545-546

And in the attacks made on the Inquisition 547-548

It was also displayed in the foreign policy of Spain 548-550

All this was promoted by the authority and high character of
Charles III. 552-554

But it was of no avail; because politicians can do nothing,
when the spirit of the country is against them 534-555

Still, Charles III. effected great improvements, from which, on
a superficial view, permanent benefit might have been expected 555-568

Summary of what was accomplished for Spain, by the government,
between the years 1700 and 1788 568-570

Inasmuch, however, as these ameliorations were opposed to the
habits of the national character, a reaction was inevitable 570-571

In 1788, Charles III. was succeeded by Charles IV., and the new
king, being a true Spaniard, the reaction began 571-573

In the nineteenth century, political reformers again
endeavoured to improve Spain 574

For the reasons already stated, their efforts were fruitless,
notwithstanding the early establishment in that country of
municipal privileges, and of popular representation 575-576

In this way, general causes always triumph over particular
actions 577-578

Those general causes predetermined the country to superstition,
and it was impossible for individuals to make head against them 578-583

Nothing can weaken superstition but knowledge 583

Such failures are the more observable, because Spain enjoys
immense natural advantages 583-585

And has possessed great patriots and great legislators 585

The Spaniards have, moreover, long been celebrated for honour,
courage, temperance, humanity, and religious sincerity 585-588

So far, however, as national progress is concerned, these noble
qualities are useless, while ignorance is so gross and so
general 588-592

This it is, which, isolating Spain from the rest of the
civilized world, keeps alive that spirit of superstition, that
reverence for antiquity, and that blind and servile loyalty,
which, as long as they last, will render improvement
impossible; and which must last until ignorance is removed 592-597

HISTORY OF CIVILIZATION IN ENGLAND.