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set on foot expeditions to the East； in order to discover there treasures still concealed； （from which further
disclosures have been anticipated； respecting profound theological questions； particularly on the higher
antiquity and sources of Buddhism）； and with a view to promote the interest of Catholicism by this circuitous
but scientifically interesting method。
§ 67
We owe to the interest which has occasioned these investigations； very much that is valuable； but
this investigation bears direct testimony against itself for it would seem to be awaiting the issue of
an historical demonstration of that which is presupposed by it as historically established。 That
advanced condition of the knowledge of God； and of other scientific； e。g。； astronomical
knowledge （such as has been falsely attributed to the Hindus）； and the assertion that such a
condition occurred at the very beginning of History； — or that the religions of various nations were
traditionally derived from it； and have developed themselves in degeneracy and depravation （as is
represented in the rudely…conceived so…called “Emanation System；”）； — all these are suppositions
which neither have； nor； — if we may contrast with their arbitrary subjective origin； the true
conception of History； — can attain historical confirmation。
§ 68
The only consistent and worthy method which philosophical investigation can adopt； is to take up
History — where Rationality begins to manifest itself in the actual conduct of the World's affairs
（not where it is merely an undeveloped potentiality）； — where a condition of things is present in
which it realises itself in consciousness； will and action。 The inorganic existence of Spirit — that of
abstract Freedom — unconscious torpidity in respect to good and evil （and consequently to
laws）； or； if we please to term it so； “blessed ignorance；” — is itself not a subject of History。
Natural； and at the same time religious morality； is the piety of the family。 In this social relation；
morality consists in the members behaving towards each other not as individuals … possessing an
independent will； not as persons。 The Family therefore is excluded from that process of
development in which History takes its rise。 But when this self…involved spiritual Unity steps
beyond this circle of feeling and natural love； and first attains the consciousness of personality； we
have that dark； dull centre of indifference； in which neither Nature nor Spirit is open and
transparent； and for which Nature and Spirit can bee open and transparent only by means of a
further process； — a very lengthened culture of that Will at length bee self…conscious。
Consciousness alone is clearness； and is that alone for which God （or any other existence） can be
revealed。 In its true form — in absolute universality — nothing can be manifested except to
consciousness made percipient of it。 Freedom is nothing but the recognition and adoption of such
universal substantial objects as Right and Law； and the production of a reality that is accordant
with them — the State。 Nations may have passed a long life before arriving at this their destination；
and during this period； they may have attained considerable culture in some directions。 This
ante…historical period — consistently with what has been said — lies out of our plan； whether a real
history followed it； or the peoples in question never attained a political constitution。 — It is a great
discovery in history — as of a new world — which has been made within rather more than the last
twenty years； respecting the Sanskrit and the connection of the European languages with it。 In
particular； the connection of the German and Indian peoples has been demonstrated； with as much
certainty as such subjects allow of。 Even at the present time we know of peoples which scarcely
form a society； much less a State； but that have been long known as existing； while with regard to
others； which in their advanced condition excite our especial interest； tradition reaches beyond the
record of the founding of the State； and they experienced many changes prior to that epoch。 In the
connection just referred to； between the languages of nations so widely separated； we have a
result before us； which proves the diffusion of those nations from Asia as a centre； and the so
dissimilar development of what had been originally related； as an incontestable fact； not as an
inference deduced by that favourite method of bining； and reasoning from； circumstances
grave and trivial； which has already enriched and will continue to enrich history with so many
fictions given out as facts。 But that apparently so extensive range of events lies beyond the pale of
history； in fact preceded it。 In our language the term History unites the objective with the
subjective side； and denotes quite as much the historia rerum gestarum； as the res gestae
themselves； on the other hand it prehends not less what has happened； than the narration of
what has happened。 This union of the two meanings we must regard as of a higher order than mere
outward accident； we must suppose historical narrations to have appeared contemporaneously
with historical deeds and events。 It is an internal vital principle mon to both that produces them
synchronously。 Family memorials； patriarchal traditions； have an interest confined to the family and
the clan。 The uniform course of events which such a condition implies； is no subject of serious
remembrance； though distinct transactions or turns of fortune； may rouse Mnemosyne to form
conceptions of them； — in the same way as love and the religious emotions provoke imagination to
give shape to a previously formless impulse。 But it is the State which first presents subject…matter
that is not only adapted to the prose of History； but involves the production of such history in the
very progress of its own being。 Instead of merely subjective mandates on the part of government；
— sufficing for the needs of the moment； — a munity that is acquiring a stable existence； and
exalting itself into a State； requires formal mands and laws — prehensive and universally
binding prescriptions； and thus produces a record as well as an interest concerned with intelligent；
definite — and； in their results — lasting transactions and occurrences； on which Mnemosyne； for
the behoof of the perennial object of the formation and constitution of the State； is impelled to
confer perpetuity。 Profound sentiments generally； such as that of love； as also religious intuition and
its conceptions； are in themselves plete — constantly present and satisfying； but that outward
existence of a political constitution which is enshrined in its rational laws and customs； is an
imperfect Present； and cannot be thoroughly understood without a knowledge of the past。
§ 69
The periods — whether we suppose them to be centuries or millennia — that were passed by
nations before history was written among them； — and which may have been filled with
revolutions； nomadic wanderings； and the strangest mutations； — are on that very account destitute
of objective history； because they present no subjective history； no annals。 We need not suppose
that the records of such periods have accidentally perished； rather； because they were not
possible； do we find them wanting。 Only in a State cognisant of Laws； can distinct transactions
take place； acpanied by such a clear consciousness of them as supplies the ability and
suggests the necessity of an enduring record。 It strikes every one； in beginning to form an
acquaintance with the treasures of Indian literature； that a land so rich in intellectual products； and
those of the profoundest order of thought； has no History； and in this respect contrasts most
strongly with China — an empire possessing one so remarkable； one going back to the most
ancient times。 India has not only ancient books relating to religion； and splendid poetical
productions； but also ancient codes； the existence of which latter kind of literature has been
mentioned as a condition necessary t