DIGITISED MANUSCRIPTS

(8) was epitomized the present socialistic doctrine of the rights and equality of man. The change from Roman Catholicism to Protes- tantism marked an epoch in the manifestation of public opinion. The Reformation was hailed by the nation as a release from the pretensions and extor- tions of a depraved clergy. Indeed, it may be said that the Reformation was the cradle of public opinion. On throwing off the thraldom of Rome the people of England awoke to the consciousness of their indi- vidual moral responsibilities, and eventually gained the power of giving it practical effect. The Puri- tanical movement under Cromwell, which led to the execution of Charles I. in 1649, marks a still further progress in the advance of public opinion, as it paved the way for the attainment of the civil liberties of the nation. Nevertheless, these manifestations of public opinion were chiefly directed against national abuses, and had but little influence on the public or private conduct of single individuals. In our day public opinion follows every man like his shadow, hovers over his every word and action like a guardian or avenging spirit, upholds him either to general applause or to general reprobation. If we are more tolerant, more charitable, more humane, more moral than were our forefathers, it is not only because we are more civilised and refined than they were, but because we know and feel that public opinion will find out