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PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
oy Indians and African S'avages; but also, in times of heathenish darkness, in different parts of Europe: And by the Ancestors of those who are now the most enlightened and virtuous people on the ,earth. The depth of depravity and misery into which a state of igno- rance is capable of sinking the human mind is inconceivably great. Witness the history of the world, particularly during the period that- intervened between the fifth and fifteenth centuries. At the begin- ning of this time, the then civilized World, which had but commenced to recover from heathenish superstition and bondage, by the regen- •erative influence of christiamity, instead of progressing towards a state of convalescence, suffered a sudden and most dangerous relapse. A kind of lethargy seized the public mind. General knowledge and •education became entirely neglected; and even those whose immediate duty it was to give instruction and administer such remedies as the case required, became themselves supine, slothful and negligent. Caring nothing for the public good, and puffed up :with pride and :arrogance, they sought only their own aggrandizement at the ex- pense of everything virtuous and praiseworthy. Science was al- together disregarded, and knowledge was cast away, and, in their room, ignorance and superstiton were promoted, and prevailed to such an alarming extent, that the whole world was enveloped in darkness, ten thousand times mor,e terrific and destructive than that of Egypt. Dur- ing this time, as you well know, the Roman Emp [ire] was overrun by ·successive hordes of barbarians, und{er] the varions names of Alans, Huns, Ostrogoths and Visigoths, Tartars and Arabs. And by them it was ravaged and torn to pieces. Europe was devastated and its .ancient governments overthrown in favor of the feudal system. Books, the reposit [ory] of Science and implements of Education, were indis- ·criminately cast into the flames. Instead of commercial enterprize, ·scientific researches, or benevolent pursuits, the delirium of chivalry, of romance and crusading pervaded the land. Enquiry was stifled, knowledge prohibited, and in certain ·cases punished with a most cruel death. 'The thrones of Europe groaned under Tyrants of the vilest stamp; who, to gratify their own corrupt passions, hesitated not to put to the sword thousands of the best persons. Superstition and revenge introduced duels and ordeals. Schism and confusion entered the Church. And, in the east, Christianity was supplanted by Moham- medanism, one of the grossest imposition practiced upon ma [n] and which was propagated and established by fire and sword. In Europe, a most impure mixture of Christianity and Idolatry, a hideous mon- ·ster, was set up. This Monster took upon it the name of Christianity and in some things resembled it. But, .being very different in its origin, its nature, disposition and power we,re also of a very different -character. This Monster propagated and encouraged vice of every description by its indulgence and dispensations. By its courts of inquisition, its thundering bulls, awful anathemas, pompous edicts, fanatical crusades, and other means adopted to extend and establish_ its own interest, it overwhelmed mankind, as far as its power could reach, with delusion, incarceration, [th]e most horrid tortures. and <Jruel deaths. It ['d] eluged the land with the blood of its innocent' or deluded victims. Under the reign of this Monster might was
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