Page:Essays on Catholicism, Liberalism, and Socialism.djvu/92

phenomena that he sees, it never seems as if he described them, but rather as if he produced them. If he discusses party questions, he points out their relative proportions of truth and error with so delicate a discrimination that it does not seem as if he so decided, because of their merits and defects, but rather that these merits and defects were the result of his arrangement. He usually debates as if he instructed, and when he instructs he seems by nature to be invested with a superior authority. If he casually speaks of religion, his language is solemn, formal, and austere; and were it permitted in the present age to express a sentiment of veneration, he would be reverential. He concedes to it a great influence in the work of social restoration, as becomes such a man in speaking of so great an institution. Although it cannot be discovered that he considers religion as the queen and mistress of all other institutions, it may be affirmed that it is at all events in his eyes as an amnestied sovereign, who, even in the days of her utmost power, still retains the marks of past servitude. The distinguishing characteristic of Mr. Guizot is, that he sees well all that he observes, and that he sees whatever is visible, and considers each thing by itself and separately. The weak point of his mind is not to perceive that these visible things, although distinct, combine to form a harmonious, hierarchical, and united body, animated by an invisible force. His work, in which he makes an exposition of European civilization, displays his eminent characteristic and great defect more than any of his other writings. Mr. Guizot has seen, in this complex and prolific civilization, all that was to be seen, except this civilization itself. He who wishes to discover the numerous and various elements