Under the title of the Middle Ages is comprehended that period of
history which succeeded the destruction of the Roman western empire
and extended to the end of the fifteenth or beginning of the sixteenth
century, when learning was revived in Europe. This period of about
eight hundred years may be said to divide ancient from modern times.
The early portion of the middle ages is sometimes styled the Dark
Ages; for during this time the ancient civilization of Rome, a bequest
from Egypt and Greece, disappeared, and ancient institutions perished,
without anything better being substituted. The middle ages altogether
differ from any other period in history. They may be generally
described as an era of universal disorder, in which was maintained a
struggle between force and reason. Old governments were broken up, and
new ones took their place, only to be dismembered in turn. Literature
sunk into obscurity, and was confined to the cells of monks. Slavery
was universal, and was modified alone by the benign influence of
Christianity. Gradually, as it will be seen, nations assumed a settled
character, arts were discovered, and for military turbulence were
substituted peaceful institutions. Much, therefore, as there is to
deplore in the history of the middle ages, there is not a little to
commend and be grateful for. We must view these ages as being the
cradle of modern civilization, the era whence sprung much that we
venerate in our institutions, much that distinguishes modern from
ancient manners.