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 1 36 INTRODUCTION

the crackers or "one slave and one bale of cotton men" and their educated though moneyless leaders.

By the by, our Bible-reading in schools question has come up again with us, and the Catholics press their pretension as a claim. I see no objection to dropping both Bibles, leaving the instruction in that matter or the omission of it to parental prejudice. Catholicism spreads a good deal amongst us, and I am not surprised. Most men do not like the responsibility of their own consciences, and like also to have their imaginations excited. It is only a few superior minds that repel the seductions of mystery. For my own part, I do not see how the com- mon people could ever have got rid of their faith in that church, if the self-interest of their leaders had not forced them out of it. Indeed, the Episcopal church would not have existed except for the desire of Henry VIII. to commit adultery ; and I am little surprised that, among Protestants themselves, Calvinism should drive out the Unitarian creed (a more refined, but indefinite one). The more appreciable and diffusive stimulant of fire and brimstone will probably for a long time be deemed necessary to make ignorant people obey the laws.

As for the Catholic system, it is evident that pure force alone could in any age have rooted it out. The ingenuity in its details of government is striking, and wholly delu- sive to the unreflecting, — the requiring that a priest should be in all respects a perfect man, for instance. A lusty priest perfect in all his organs and in excellent health must be naturally superstitious and with a small intellect, before he puts himself under discipline ; he is, therefore, a safe man. This law, therefore, excludes those intellectual men who from over-study, bad habits, or misfortune, fly to the church in a state of temporary morbidity, but who would

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