IV.—–­Reaction in Spain

I have laid down four propositions which I have endeavoured to establish—­that progress depends on a successful investigation of the laws of phenomena; that a spirit of scepticism is a condition of such investigation; that the influence of intellectual truths increases thereby relatively to that of moral truths; and that the great enemy of his progress is the protective spirit.  We shall find these propositions verified in the history of Spain.

Physically, Spain most closely resembles those non-European countries where the influence of nature is more prominent than that of man, and whose civilisations are consequently influenced more by the imagination than by the understanding.  In Spain, superstition is encouraged by the violent energies of nature.  After the fall of the Roman Empire, Spain was first engaged in a long struggle on behalf of the Arianism of the Goths against the orthodoxy of the Franks.  This was followed by centuries of struggle between the Christian Spaniard and the Mohammedan Moors.  After the conquest of Granada, the King of Spain and Emperor, Charles V., posed primarily as the champion of religion and the enemy of heresy.  His son Philip summarised his policy in the phrase that “it is better not to reign at all than to reign over heretics.”

Loyalty was supported by superstition; each strengthened the other.  Great foreign conquests were made, and a great military reputation was developed.  But the people counted for nothing.  The crown, the aristocracy, and the clergy were supreme—­the last more so than ever in the seventeenth century.  At the beginning of the eighteenth century the Bourbon replaced the Hapsburg dynasty.  The Bourbons sought to improve the country by weakening the Church, but failed to raise the people, who had become intellectually paralysed.  The greatest efforts at improvement were made by Charles III.; but Charles IV., unlike his predecessors, who had been practically foreigners, was a true Spaniard.  The inevitable reaction set in.

In the nineteenth century individuals have striven for political reform, but they have been unable to make head against those general causes which have predetermined the country to superstition.  Great as are the virtues for which the Spaniards have long been celebrated, those noble qualities are useless while ignorance is so gross and so general.

V.—­The Paradox of Scottish History

In most respects Scotland affords a complete contrast to Spain, but in regard to superstition, there is a striking similarity.  Both nations have allowed their clergy to exercise immense sway; in both intolerance has been, and still is, a crying evil; and a bigotry is habitually displayed which is still more discreditable to Scotland than to Spain.  It is the paradox of Scotch history that the people are liberal in politics and illiberal in religion.