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284 POLITICAL CONSEQUENCESformed. To it, in fact, belongs the first vigorous exertionsof which the human intellect became capable,when it hadshaken off the fetters which had so long crippled and restrained it. It is true, that these examples were not lostupon several of the Catholic states ;but we may fairly say,that, when they discovered the need they had of such institutions, they resorted to their Protestant neighbours as possessing the models which they should imitate. Did not theimmortal Colbert form his views upon the policy which hesaw pursued in the Netherlands ? Did not JosephII. aim atrivalling the example set before him by Frederic the Great ?Was not the progress of civil society among the small statesof Protestant Germany far beyond that of Catholic ItalyWas ?there, before the time of Leopold IL, who, by hisinstitutions in Tuscany, opened a path which the characterof the nation has preventedit from pursuing, was there, Ia say? single state in Italy of which it could be said, that itsmode of government had become sensibly improved? It isin vain to seek an explanation of these phenomena inchance, or in the character of the princes. The means ofacquiring knowledge and experience were too ample, thesuccession of princes too long,to allow of such solutions ofthe problem.It was Protestantism which, although slowly, yet surely,shed these blessings over the human race. And if GreatBritian has prevented the love of constitutional liberty frombecoming wholly extinct ; and, by its victory over the adverse elements of society, has become the model upon which,with certain varieties, the states of the continent are at thismotneiit forming their governments, has not all this beenproduced by the same cause ? Would Spain, even that Spainwhieh most rigidly excludes Protestantism, ever have received ber^new constitution without it? And would not thisvery constitution have been, in all human probability, moreBsefally and excellently framed, had the light of Protestantism shone down undimmed upon her people?IL Effect* of the Reformation upon the mutual relationsof the states of Europe.All other changes which the Reformation may have produced in the social condition of the nations of Europe., haveto the extension of their ideas, and are, therefore,