George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 5, 13th edition.

[31] were at once enfranchising and despotic, involving re-

chap. II.} 1763.

volution, and constituting revolution an exterminating despotism. This logical result of his lessons was at first less observed. His fiery eloquence, and the concerted efforts of men of letters who fashioned anew the whole circle of human knowledge, overwhelmed the priesthood and the throne. The ancient forms of the state and the church were still standing; but monarchy and the hierarchy were as insulated columns, from which the building they once belonged to had crumbled away; where statues, formerly worshipped, lay mutilated and overthrown, among ruins that now sheltered the viper and the destroyer.