ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that the American Revolution marked the beginning of a new political era; that this Revolution must inevitably result in major progress for civilisation in general; and that it would soon bring about great changes in the European social order. In Europe the greatest statesman, or at any rate the one who is regarded as the most able, held in the greatest esteem, promoted, and praised most highly, is always the man who can find a means of increasing the revenue from taxation without arousing the wrath of the taxpayers. The habits contracted under old institutions are great obstacles to the establishment of a really new regime. This establishment demands great philosophical efforts and great financial sacrifices. The funds required by useful undertakings, whatever their scale, will be provided by voluntary subscriptions, and the subscribers themselves will supervise the use and administration of their money.
