volume one

XXIV LNTEODUCTION.
and acting together, gave birth to the holy war ; and carried,
among the Crusaders, valour, resignation, and heroism
of character to the highest degree of eminence.
The part which the union of these two principles necessarily
had in the undertaking of the holy wars will be plainly
perceived in our narration. It will be much less easy for us
to make all the results of the crusades appreciated. Some
writers have seen nothing in these great expeditions but the
most deplorable excesses, without any advantage to the ages
that succeeded them ; others, on the contrary, maintain that
we owe to thein all the benefits of civilization. It is not, at
present, my business to examine these two conflicting opinions.
Without believing that the holy wars have done
either all the good or all the harm that is attributed to them,
it must be admitted that they were a source of bitter sorrow
to the generations that saw them or took part in them ; but,
like the ills and tempests of human life, which render man
better, and often assist the progress of his reason, they have
forwarded the experiences of nations ; and it may be said,
that after having for a time seriously agitated and shaken
society, they have, in the end, much strengthened the foun-
dations of it. This opinion, when stripped of all spirit
of exaggeration or system, will, perhaps, appear the most
reasonable ; I, besides, experience some pleasure in adopting
it, from its being consolatory to the age in which we live.
The present generation which has witnessed the outbreak of
so many passions on the political scene, which has passed
through so many calamities, will not see without interest
that Providence sometimes employs great revolutions to
enlighten mankind, and to ensure the future prosperity of
empires.