tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">185–188

The diminution of religious persecution is owing to the progress of knowledge 188–190 The diminution of the warlike spirit is owing to the same cause 190–192 Illustrations from Russia and Turkey 195–197 As civilization advances, men of intellect avoid becoming soldiers 198 Illustrations of this from ancient Greece and modern Europe 198–202 The three principal ways in which the progress of knowledge has lessened the warlike spirit are:   1. The invention of gunpowder 203–209 2. The discoveries made by political economists 210–211 3. The application of steam to purposes of travelling 219–223 Inference to be drawn as to the causes of social progress 224–226
CHAPTER V. INQUIRY INTO THE INFLUENCE EXERCISED BY RELIGION, LITERATURE, AND GOVERNMENT. Recapitulation of preceding arguments 227 Moral feelings influence individuals, but do not affect society in the aggregate 228–229 This being as yet little understood, historians have not collected proper materials for writing history 230 Reasons why the present history is restricted to England 231–235 Comparison of the history of England with that of France 235–236 With that of Germany 237–240 With that of the United States of America 240–242 Necessity of ascertaining the fundamental laws of intellectual progress 243 Much may be gained in that respect from studying the histories of Germany, America, France, Spain, and Scotland 244–246 Deductive spirit in Scotland 246–252 Influence of religion on the progress of society 253–266 Illustration from the efforts of missionaries 254–256 Illustration from the Hebrews 257–258 Illustration from the early history of Christianity 259–262 And from Sweden and Scotland 263–266 Influence of literature on the progress of society 268–272 Influence of government on the progress of society 272–287 Illustrated by repeal of the corn-laws