But it is very different with the Western Barbarians, where _birth_ gives a right to exalted place in Government! Power, among the English, is wholly in the hands of this hereditary class--called _Nobility_--elsewhere called Aristocracy [Fo-hi]. Thus, learning has been unimportant, unless as a sort of accomplishment; and been mostly confined to Priests. With them, it was a means of increased influence, and added to the effect of the Superstitious pretensions. Force and fraud being the main agents of Government and sources of distinction, learning was not merely disregarded, but held in contempt by the High-Caste. What learning there was (chiefly confined to the Priests), busied itself with the Superstition, and with the ancient tongues; because with these Superstition had its _literary roots_. Still, some grew more inquisitive, especially outside the Priestly order, and learning made some progress. Gradually, there emerged from the Halls of Learning, rules, which (countenanced by some Sovereigns), began to influence Society. For Sovereigns, and the High-Caste, had begun, in some measure, to affect a liking for learning--confined, however, almost wholly to the narrow range referred to. These _rules_ were in fact DEGREES; which conferred upon the possessor a Literary distinction. The _Halls of Learning_, which had been in good measure established by Sovereigns, out of plunder, upon the orders of Priests (who would obtain the money through the Ruler's dread of the devil, when apprehending or near to death); these, alone, could confer the degrees. No power accompanied them. They, merely, became requisite to any one who wished to enter upon, what is called, the _Learned professions_. These are of the _Superstition_, of the _Law_, and of _Medicine_. Soon, in these employments, the degrees became quite _Cabalistic_; and made these callings mysteries to the rest of the world.