Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 4.djvu/855

 REVIEIVS 835

factors in the production of the three types of early civilizations the action of the immediate physical environment on man and man's reac- tion against nature. Thus, in the cold, wet country, where natural forces act regularly, where man subdues nature, we discover well-knit social groups with a civilization distinctively moral. The German is a type of this development. In the hot, dry country, where natural forces are overpowering, where man yields to nature, hope and humility are developed, and we discover a civilization essentially religious in character. Of this type Semitic civilization is a good instance. The third class is formed by the tribute-takers — the conquerors who live by controlling other people. In this society the concept of citizenship is formed and law is developed. Roman civilization is the type. These three types have together furnished the basis of English thought and character.

The fifteenth century was a period of change and progress for England as well as for the rest of Europe. The invention of printing, the use of gunpowder and the compass, the discovery of America, the introduction of chimneys and glass windows into houses, and beer, sugar, and sweets into diet, revolutionized every phase of society. Family life was now made possible and agreeable. In part, at least, communal life was supplanted, and woman's position became higher. The church of the Middle Age inculcated habits of thought that lay at the basis of social progress.

In the sixteenth century the development of England began to be differentiated from that of the continent. From now on it was more normal.

The next period treated is that dominated by the thoughts of the Calvinists : indeed, the chapter is entitled "The Calvinists." Calvin's scheme was the outgrowth of the economic ideas of the age. Its cen- tral thought was the covenant between man and God. The whole scheme was legal rather than moral. Resulting from the sudden change in economic conditions, which clothed the Englishman in wool and placed him before a fire, we have three types of character — the sensualist, the original, unmodified Englishman, who retained the dross of primitive times ; the dinger, who wished to keep things as they were, who wanted peace and security, and believed in the divine right of kings ; and the stalwart, or concrete Puritan, who soon died of con- sumption because he did not care for comfort.

The first great thinker of the age was Hobbes. His main thoughts are, that necessity is the only rule of action ; that nature is in a state