It is utterly incredible that whole races of men in the most distant parts of the world (capable of counting, for they quickly learn to count) should have lost the art of counting, if they had ever possessed it.
Bagehot argues against the notion that entire races could lose the ability to count, emphasizing human capability.
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I do not think I put this too high when I say that a most important if not the most important object of early legislation was the enforcement of LUCKY rites.
Nothing promotes intellect like intellectual discussion, and nothing promotes intellectual discussion so much as government by discussion.
And therefore party is inherent in it, is bone of its bone, and breath of its breath.
The whole history of civilisation, is strewn with creeds and institutions which were invaluable at first, and deadly afterwards.
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