If a nation has in any considerable degree gained the habit, and exhibited the capacity, to discuss these questions with freedom, and to decide them with discretion, to argue much on politics and not to argue ruinously, an enormous advance in other kinds of civilisation may confidently be predicted for it.
Bagehot predicts that a nation capable of political discussion will advance in civilization.
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But, above all things, they were frightened of 'the world;' the spectacle of nature filled them with awe and dread.
Now it is not conceivable that a race of beings with valuable instincts supporting their existence and supplying their wants would need these simple tools.
The whole history of civilisation, is strewn with creeds and institutions which were invaluable at first, and deadly afterwards.
And therefore party is inherent in it, is bone of its bone, and breath of its breath.
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