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252 lost in meditation on the events which a few months would probably unfold. Like most young men whose imagination exercises itself in politics, he was a republican. Every age has its own enthusiasm; and it was only of late years that enthusiasm had taken the direction of liberty. The ideal of liberty—now the excitement of the day—had arisen from three sources. First, from the religious discussions, which led to an extent and to conclusions of which the original agitators of such discussions little dreamed. To claim a right of thinking for yourself in one instance, ends by claiming that right in many; and when the habit of examination is once introduced, the folly of any exclusive privilege is soon manifest; for most privileges have commenced in some necessity of the time, and a positive benefit has accrued from their exercise to the many as well as to the individual. But, unfortunately, the privilege often remains after its necessity has passed away; and for a space holds on by the vain yet strong tenure of habit. Some unusual abuse awakens unusual attention; the right is questioned, while the power to enforce it is weakened, and then alteration becomes inevitable. The despotic power vested in the church during the darker ages was the only check upon that lawless era, and was far more