volume one

264 KISTOIIY OF THE carsADL3
part of the nation, and that tliis increase of prosperity was in
the nature of things. After the fii'st crusade, was seen that
which is always to be observed in all nations that are progressing
in civilization. Power had a tendency to centralize
itself in the hands of him who protected Kberty. Glory
became the reward of all who were called upon to defend
their country; consideration and riches took a direction towards
that class from which intelligence was to be expected.
It is certain that knowledge arose in Europe among the
clergy, and that they alone were able to consecrate in some
wav manv of the salutary' results of the crusades. As long
as the clergy powerfidly assisted the progress of civihzation,
they preserved their wealth ; as soon as they went beyond
civilization, thev lost it. This is the course of thino^s on
earth. As lontr as institutions are favourable to societr,
society reveres them;* when under some relations they are
esteemed less useful, they lose their importance. "Without
anv necessitv for declamation, we must leave the inoratitude
natural to nations to take its course, as we must their inconstancy,
and to time ; which are but too powerful in destroying
instruments which societ}' has employed with some
advantage.
Many cities of Italv had arrived at a certain dej^ree of
civilization before the first crusade ; but this civilization,
born in the midst of a barbarous age, and spread amongst
some isolated nations divided among themselves, had no
power to attain maturitA'. For civilization to produce the
salutary effects it is capable of, everything must at the same
time, have a tendency to the same perfection. EJnowledge,
laws, morals, power, all must proceed together. This is what
has happened in France ;t therefore must France one day
become the model and centre of ci\Tlization in Europe. The
holy wars contributed much to this happy revolution, which
may be seen even in the first crusade.
* I only here speak of the clergy with regard to its knowledge. The
opinion I express is not only applicable to France, but to all the states of
Europe.
t What a comment upon man's assumption is the history of France
since this was written I
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Trans.