The whole gigantic swing of modern democracy and of the scientific spirit was released by it.

The veil of the temple of religion and of knowledge was rent in twain, and the arcana of the priest and clerk exposed to the gaze of the people.

The reading public became the supreme court before whom, from this time, all cases must be argued.

The conflict of opinions and parties, of privilege and freedom, of science and obscurantism, was transferred from the secret chamber of a small, privileged, professional, and sacerdotal coterie to the arena of the reading public.
[Sidenote: Exploration] It is amazing, but true, that within fifty years after this exploit, mankind should have achieved another like unto it in a widely different sphere.

The horror of the sea was on the ancient world; a heart of oak and triple bronze was needed to venture on the ocean, and its annihilation was one of the blessings of the new earth promised by the Apocalypse.