We are still further, at present, from the disposition and situation which would allow laws of education to govern us, supported only by a political spirit; in order to make the trial, we must be divided into little associations; and by some means, not yet discovered, be able to oppose invincible obstacles to the enlargement of them, and to preserve us from the desires and voluptuousness which are the inevitable consequence of an augmentation of wealth, and the progress of the arts and sciences: in short, and it is a singular remark, at a period when man is become a being the most compounded, on account of these social modifications, he has need, more than ever, of a principle which will penetrate to the very source of his numerous affections; consequently it would be necessary suddenly to carry him back to his primitive simplicity, to make him agree, in some measure, with the limited extent of an education purely civil. Let me add, that a like education could not be adapted to the commonalty, as in Sparta; they must be separated from the citizens, and kept in servitude: an observation which leads me to a very important reflection; it is, that in a country where slavery would be introduced, where the most numerous class would be governed by the continual fear of the severest chastisement, they would be able to confide more in the mere ascendency of political morality; for this morality only having to keep in order the part of society represented by those who have property, the task would not be difficult; but among us, where happily all men, without any distinction, are subject to the yoke of the law, an authority so extensive, must necessarily be strengthened and seconded by the universal influence of religious opinions.