ing under so many misfortunes, of that principle of unity which still sustains them. Urged by an enlightened patriotism, as well as by his devotion to the Church, M. Balmez undertook to refute the errors by which it was attempted to seduce a suffering nation; and the first volume, which was received with the greatest favour, was followed by three others. In spite of the circumstances which gave occasion to this book, we must not suppose that the ideas which it contains have a limited application, or that they are valuable only for Spain. M. Balmez extends his view over the whole of society; he examines facts and principles in general; he paints the modern and ancient world with those vivid and lasting colours which denote an observer accustomed to master details. No doubt Spain is the subject of some special observations, written with vigour and love. We feel that the breast of the author dilates when he thinks of his country, but this love does not mislead his vision, or stop the course of his inquiries; and, moreover, Spain has been the theme of so much furious declamation, the influence of Catholicity in that part of Europe has been so cruelly attacked, that it is pleasing to hear on this subject the testimony of one of the most learned of her children--of a man who knows and loves both Spain and the Church."-Correspondent, May 1845.

"To this gradual regeneration of the public mind, no one has more powerfully contributed than the young Spanish ecclesiastic whose work stands at the head of this article, whose name is not unknown to our readers, and who by his political, as well as theological and philosophical writings, has acquired a very high reputation in his country. M. Balmez edited for some years the ablest journal in Spain, entitled El Pensiamento de la Nacion, and wherein his object was to restore the Church to her former dignity and influence, reconcile and unite all the friends of monarchy, whether belonging to the Carlist or Christino parties; and, while he respected the legal interests which had sprung out of the revolution, to persuade country to recast her political institutions as much as possible on the model of the ancient Cortes. His political opinions are, we believe, represented in public life by that enlightened statesman the Conde Viluma, and his friends."-Dublin Review, March 1848, p. 47.

"DEATH OF THE ABBE BALMEZ.-This distinguished Spanish divine, the author of one of the most elaborate works of modern theological literature, Catholicism compared with Protestantism, and other learned writings, died at Vich, July 9, 1848, when only in his thirty-eighth year. His last production was an Essay on the character of Pius IX. as Pontiff and Sovereign. His funeral took place on the 11th, with all the pomp that could be furnished by the civil and ecclesiastical authorities of the city. *** A marble monument is to be placed over the remains of the doctor, at a cost of 24,000 reals; and the ayuntamiento have determined that one of the plazas of the city shall bear the name of Balmez, in order to perpetuate the memory of so eminent a writer, the boast of the Spanish clergy and the Catalan people."-Rambler, August 1848.

AUTHOR'S PREFACE.

AMONG the many and important evils which have been the necessary result of the profound revolutions of modern times, there appears a good extremely valuable to science, and which will probably have a beneficial influence on the human race,-I mean the love of studies having for their object man and society. The shocks have been so rude, that the earth has, as it were, opened under our feet; and the human mind, which, full of pride and haughtiness, but lately advanced on a triumphal car amid acclamations and cries of victory, has been alarmed and stopped in its career. Absorbed by an important thought, overcome by a profound reflection, it has asked itself, “What am I? whence do I come? what is my destination?" Religious questions have regained their high importance; and when they might have been supposed to have been scattered by the breath of indifference, or almost annihilated by the astonishing development of material interests, by the progress of the natural and exact sciences, by the continually increasing ardour of political debates,— we have seen that, so far from having been stifled by the immense weight which seemed to have overwhelmed them, they have reappeared on a sudden in all their magnitude, in their gigantic form, predominant over society, and reaching from the heavens to the abyss.

This disposition of men's minds naturally drew their attention to the religious revolution of the sixteenth century; it was natural that they should ask what this revolution had done to promote the interests of humanity. Unhappily, great mistakes have been made in this inquiry. Either because they have looked at the facts through the distorted medium of sectarian prejudice, or because they have only considered them superficially, men have arrived at the conclusion, that the reformers of the sixteenth century have conferred a signal benefit on the nations of Europe, by contributing to the development of science, of the arts, of human liberty, and of every thing which is comprised in the word

civilisation.

a

What do history and philosophy say on this subject? How has man, either individually or collectively, considered in a religious, social, political, or literary point of view, been benefited by the reform of the sixteenth century? Did Europe, under the exclusive influence of Catholicity, pursue a prosperous career? Did Catholicity impose a single fetter on the movements of civilisation? This is the examination which I propose to make in this work. Every age has its peculiar wants; and it is much to be wished that all Catholic writers were convinced that the complete examination of these questions is one of the most urgent necessities of the times in which we live. Bellarmine and Bossuet have done what was required for their times; we ought to do the same for ours. I am fully aware of the immense extent of the questions I have adverted to, and I do not flatter myself that I shall be able to elucidate them as they deserve; but, however this may be, I promise to enter on my task with the courage which is inspired by a love of truth; and when my strength shall be exhausted, I shall sit down with tranquillity of mind, in expectation that another, more vigorous than myself, will carry into effect so important an enterprise.