consequently nothing to examine, or to search for! One is a
_free-thinker_ only on the express condition of renouncing all such
free exercise of thought as might lead to the acceptance of beliefs
generally received. This is verily the carnival of language, and the
_bal masqué_ of words. These corruptions of the meaning of terms are
highly instructive. Doctrines contrary to the laws of human nature bear
witness in this way to a secret shame in producing themselves under
their true colors. Just as hypocrisy is an homage which vice pays to
virtue, so these barbarisms are an homage which error pays to truth.

To return to Italy: that beautiful and noble country has not escaped the
revival of atheism. The intoxication of a new liberty, and the political
struggles in which the Papacy is at present engaged, will favor for a
time, it may be feared, the development of evil doctrines.[85] But the
lively genius of the Italians will not be long in attaching itself
again to the grand traditions of its past history; and the inhabitants
of the land, whose soil was trodden by Pythagoras and Saint Augustine,
will not link themselves with doctrines which always run those who hold
them aground sooner or later upon the sad and gloomy shores of a vulgar
empiricism.

We have not leisure, Gentlemen, to extend our study to all parts of the
globe, and besides, there are countries with regard to which information
would fail me. Therefore I say nothing of Holland, where we should have,
as I know, distressing facts to record. The silence imposed on Spain
upon the subjects which we are discussing would render the study of that
country a difficult one. I am wanting in data regarding America. Let us
conclude our survey by a few words about Russia.

If we are warranted in making general assertions in speaking of that