But they are not the only writers guilty of the practice.

The purview of French authors is often quite as limited: they regard French opinion as the only good opinion, and judge the rest of the world by their own standard.

In the present case, if we leave the world and mankind generally on one side, and apply M.Zola's facts and theories to France alone, it will be found, I think, that he has made out a remarkably good case for himself.

For it is certain that Catholicism, I may say Christianity, is fast crumbling in France.

There may be revivals in certain limited circles, efforts of the greatest energy to prop up the tottering edifice by a "rallying" of believers to the democratic cause, and by a kindling of the most bitter anti-Semitic warfare; but all these revivals and efforts, although they are extremely well-advertised and create no little stir, produce very little impression on the bulk of the population.