17.  In  the  more  civilized  countries  of  Europe  neither  of  these
classes  has  so  far  triumphed  as  to  bring  the  others  into  subjection  to
itself;  and  some  writers,  observing  that  in  Asia  and  Egypt,  the  tri-


774  PHILOSOPHY  OF  HISTORY.  [PAIIT  IIL

umph  of  monarchy,  aristocracy,  or  theocracy,  has  led  to  the  system
of  castes,  and  interposed  a  barrier  to  the  progress  of  civilization,  have
been  led  to  attribute  to  the  constant  struggle  between  the  three  great
powers  in  European  society,  the  wonderful  energy  and  productive-
ness of  modern  European  civilization,3-  and  to  predict  its  illimitable
progress.  That  the  progress  of  civilization  is  to  be  onward,  even
in  Europe,  despite  the  opposing  elements  of  monarchy,  aristocracy,
and  democracy,  we  do  not  doubt  5  but  our  faith  in  man's  moral  des-
tiny forbids  us  to  believe  that  the  struggle  is  to  be  unending ;  and
we  confidently  anticipate  the  period  when  democracy  will  triumph,
although  it  will  not  be  until  her  cause  relies  for  its  main  support
upon  the  general  intelligence  and  virtue  of  the  people.  With  them,
universal  education  alone  can  lead  to  universal  emancipation.
