CHAPTER XII.

THE REASONS WHY THE CONSERVATIVE INFLUENCES OF PAGAN CIVILIZATION DID NOT ARREST THE RUIN OF THE ROMAN WORLD.

Necessary Corruption of all Institutions under Paganism--Glory succeeded by Shame--The Army a worn-out Mechanism--The low Aims of Government-- Difficulties of the Emperors--Laws perverted or unenforced--The Degeneracy of Art--The Frivolity of Literature--The imperfect Triumph of Philosophy--Nothing Conservative in human Creations--Necessity of Aid from foreign and Divine Sources