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OF THE REFORMATION.S47zens, on whose prosperitythe future fate of nations was todepend.After a lapse of four centuries Europe sustained a secondand still greater change in the Reformation. And as thisof their common andagreed with the former in the pointimmediate origin from religion, although both were undoubtedly of great political importance,it was reserved forour own age to witness a third species of revolution, which,springing immediately from political ideas, obtained an immediate political tendency and; which, when its results arefolly developed, will perhaps furnish the historian of futuretimes with even richer materials than either of those whichhave precededit.The National Institute, in requiring a development of theconsequences which resulted to the political progress andgeneral illumination of Europe from the Reformation, haschosen a subject worthy of itself. It is a proposition whichhas never been satisfactorily answered, but which is nowripefor discussion. Near three centuries have elapsed sincethat mighty change began to operate its ;consequences havedeveloped themselves in all their principal features; theclouds of prejudice and passion, which at first float over anage of great revolutions, and deny a clear view to the observer of the time, have now been long dispersed ;and thehistorian must be content that his own feeble vision shouldbear the blame, if it cannot embrace the wide prospect before him.The present inquiryis not directed to the consequencesof the Reformation, as it affected the intelligence and civilization of mankind this subjectis left to others. We shallsimply investigate the political results of that event as theyaffected Europe and these we shall class under two heads :the 1st, comprising the changes in particular states. The2nd, those which were wrought in the social and politicalsystem of Europe.In an undertaking of this sort it is evident that the authormust be prepared to lay aside the prejudices which his edhcation,Ms country, and his religion,throw in his wayttiatlie must resolve moreover not to sacrifice the tm% altfaongliknown and acknowledged, to the brilliancy which investswhat is new and paradoxical.