exhibit to us a genuine picture of human nature in its rudest and most
uncultivated state.

[Sidenote] Religious divisions the primary cause of emigrations to
the west.

With the revival of learning in Europe, towards the close of the
fifteenth century, a more free and liberal way of thinking, with respect
to religion, was introduced and encouraged, than had taken place during
many preceding ages. At this period several men of genius and courage
appeared, who discovered to the world the gross absurdity of many of the
tenets and practices of the Romish church; but were unwilling totally to
overturn her established jurisdiction and authority. At length Luther
boldly exposed her errors to public view, and the spirit of the age,
groaning under the papal yoke, applauded the undertaking. Multitudes, who
had long been oppressed, were ripe for a change, and well disposed for
favouring the progress of that reformation which he attempted and
introduced. By this means great commotions were excited throughout
Christendom, and thousands united and entered warmly into designs of
asserting their religious liberty. Hence a spirit of emigration arose and
men seemed bent on visiting the remotest regions of the earth, rather
than submit to spiritual oppression at home.

Instead of improving the discoveries made in America during the reign of
his father, Henry the eighth was busily engaged in gratifying the
cravings of licentious appetites, or in opposing by writings the progress
of the reformation. In his reign Sebastian Cabot, that eminent mariner,
finding himself shamefully neglected by the capricious and voluptuous
monarch, went over to Spain. There he got employment for several years,
and made some new and useful discoveries in America for the Spanish