In another passage, again, he says that civilization "is a course for humanity to run--a destiny for it to accomplish. Nations have transmitted, from age to age, something to their successors which is never lost, but which grows, and continues as a common stock, and will thus be carried on to the end of all things. For my part (he continues), I feel assured that human nature has such a destiny; that a general civilization pervades the human race; that at every epoch it augments; and that there, consequently, is a universal history of civilization to be written." It must be obvious to the reader who compares these extracts, that Mr. Guizot expresses a totally distinct idea or collection of ideas in each. First, the civilization of a particular nation, which exists "wherever the intellectual nature of man distinguishes itself by its energy, brilliancy, and grandeur." Such a civilization may flourish, "notwithstanding the greatest imperfections in the social system." Secondly, Mr. Guizot's _beau-idéal_ of the best, most perfect civilization, where the political forms insure the greatest happiness, promote the most rapid--yet well-regulated--progress. Thirdly, a great system of particular civilizations, as that of Europe, the various elements of which "are connected by the same principles, and tend all to bring about the same general results." Fourthly, a supposed general progress of the whole human race toward a higher state of perfection. To all these ideas, provided they are not confounded one with another, I have already given my assent. (See _Introduction_, p. 51.) With regard to the latter, however, I would observe that it by no means militates against a belief in the intellectual imparity of races, and the permanency of this imparity. As in a society composed of individuals, all enjoy the fruits of the general progress, though all have not contributed to it in equal measure, and some not at all: so, in that society, of which we may suppose the various branches of the human family to be the members, even the inferior participate more or less in the benefits of intellectual labor, of which they would have been incapable. Because I can transport myself with almost the swiftness of a bird from one place to another, it does not follow that--though I profit by Watt's genius--I could have invented the steam-engine, or even that I understand the principles upon which that invention is based.--H. [96] W. Von Humboldt, _Ueber die Kawi-Sprache auf der Insel Java; Einleitung_, vol. i. p. 37. Berlin. "Die _Civilization_ ist die Vermenschlichung der Völker in ihren äusseren Einrichtungen und Gebräuchen, und der darauf Bezug habenden inneren Gesinnung." [97] William Von Humboldt. "Die Kultur fügt dieser Veredlung des gesellschaftlichen Zustandes Wissenschaft und Kunst hinzu."