Page:Montesquieu - The spirit of laws.djvu/21

Rh of calculation when we enquire into the end of marriage, and it is still less so, when we enquire into marriage as a law established and confirmed by Jesus Christ.

Again, the author having said, that polygamy is more conformable to nature in some countries than in others, the critic has seized the words more conformable to nature, to make him say, that he approves polygamy. To which he answers, "If I say, that I should like better to have a fever than the scurvy, does this signify that I should like to have a fever? or only that the scurvy is more disagreeable to me than a fever?"

Having finished his reply to what had been objected on the subject of polygamy, he vindicates that excellent part of his work which treats of the climates; when speaking of the influence these have upon religion, he vindicates that excellent part of his work which treats of the climates; when speaking of the influence these have upon religion, he says, "I am very sensible that religion is in its own nature independent of all physical causes whatsoever, that the religion which is good in one country is good in another, and that it cannot be pernicious in one country without being so in all; but yet, Rh