Such, then, is the revolution that is now going
forward in opinion — from the supernatural interpreta-
tion of phenomena to the natural, from theology to
Positivism. But in politics an analogous movement
may be traced. Ever since the enfranchisement of the
Commons, the power of feudalism has continued to
decline, and that of industry to increase.'^* It is not
diflScult, therefore, to perceive that, as in the one de-
partment the scientific classes will acquire ^ spiritual '
■power, — so, in the other, the industrial classes will be
invested with ^ temporal ' authority.''^ In order to con-
ciliate the two extremes — feudalism and industrialism
— there arose a transitional period of Parliamentary
government. But the general ideas upon which it is
founded are purely negative, and it is, therefore, im-
possible that society can repose upon them, and hence
the organization of society upon the industrial system

^ See Appendix, No. 23. 73 jj. ^q. 24. 7* Jb. No. 25.
7^ lb. No. 2G.
72 SAINT-SIMOX

1824. is dependent upon the elaboration of a positive philo-
sophy and politics.'*

IV.
