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Such a change would not be greater than some other changes

through which the world has passed in the transition from ancient

to modern society, for example, the emancipation of the serfs in

Russia, or the abolition of slavery in America and the West

Indies; and not so great as the difference which separates the

Eastern village community from the Western world. To accomplish

such a revolution in the course of a few centuries, would imply a

rate of progress not more rapid than has actually taken place

during the last fifty or sixty years. The kingdom of Japan

underwent more change in five or six years than Europe in five or

six hundred. Many opinions and beliefs which have been cherished

among ourselves quite as strongly as the sacredness of property

have passed away; and the most untenable propositions respecting

the right of bequests or entail have been maintained with as much

fervour as the most moderate.