首页 >出版文学> ENGLISH TRAITS>第2章

第2章

  Credenceisamainelement。’Tissaid,thattheviewsofnatureheldbyanypeopledeterminealltheirinstitutions。Whateverinfluencesaddtomentalormoralfaculty,takemenoutofnationality,asoutofotherconditions,andmakethenationallifeaculpablecompromise。
  Theselimitationsoftheformidabledoctrineofracesuggestotherswhichthreatentoundermineit,asnotsufficientlybased。
  Thefixityorinconvertiblenessofracesasweseethem,isaweakargumentfortheeternityofthesefrailboundaries,sinceallourhistoricalperiodisapointtothedurationinwhichnaturehaswrought。Anytheleastandsolitariestfactinournaturalhistory,suchasthemeliorationoffruitsandofanimalstocks,hastheworthofa_power_intheopportunityofgeologicperiods。Moreover,thoughweflattertheself—loveofmenandnationsbythelegendofpureraces,allourexperienceisofthegradationandresolutionofraces,andstrangeresemblancesmeetuseverywhere。ItneednotpuzzleusthatMalayandPapuan,CeltandRoman,SaxonandTartarshouldmix,whenweseetherudimentsoftigerandbabooninourhumanform,andknowthatthebarriersofracesarenotsofirm,butthatsomespraysprinklesusfromtheantediluvianseas。
  Theloworganizationsaresimplest;ameremouth,ajelly,orastraightworm。Asthescalemounts,theorganizationsbecomecomplex。Wearepiquedwithpuredescent,butnaturelovesinoculation。Achildblendsinhisfacethefacesofbothparents,andsomefeaturefromeveryancestorwhosefacehangsonthewall。
  Thebestnationsarethosemostwidelyrelated;andnavigation,aseffectingaworld—widemixture,isthemostpotentadvancerofnations。
  TheEnglishcompositecharacterbetraysamixedorigin。EverythingEnglishisafusionofdistantandantagonisticelements。Thelanguageismixed;thenamesofmenareofdifferentnations,——
  threelanguages,threeorfournations;——thecurrentsofthoughtarecounter:contemplationandpracticalskill;activeintellectanddeadconservatism;world—wideenterprise,anddevoteduseandwont;
  aggressivefreedomandhospitablelaw,withbitterclass—legislation;
  apeoplescatteredbytheirwarsandaffairsoverthefaceofthewholeearth,andhomesicktoaman;acountryofextremes,——dukesandchartists,BishopsofDurhamandnakedheathencolliers;——
  nothingcanbepraisedinitwithoutdamningexceptions,andnothingdenouncedwithoutsalvosofcordialpraise。
  Neitherdothispeopleappeartobeofonestem;butcollectivelyabetterracethananyfromwhichtheyarederived。Norisiteasytotraceithometoitsoriginalseats。WhocancallbyrightnameswhatracesareinBritain?Whocantracethemhistorically?Whocandiscriminatethemanatomically,ormetaphysically?
  Intheimpossibilityofarrivingatsatisfactiononthehistoricalquestionofrace,and,——comeofwhateverdisputableancestry,——theindisputableEnglishmanbeforeme,himselfverywellmarked,andnowhereelsetobefound,——IfanciedIcouldleavequiteasidethechoiceofatribeashislinealprogenitors。Defoesaidinhiswrath,"theEnglishmanwasthemudofallraces。"I
  inclinetothebelief,that,aswater,lime,andsandmakemortar,socertaintemperamentsmarrywell,and,bywell—managedcontrarieties,developasdrasticacharacterastheEnglish。Onthewhole,itisnotsomuchahistoryofoneorofcertaintribesofSaxons,Jutes,orFrisians,comingfromoneplace,andgeneticallyidentical,asitisananthologyoftemperamentsoutofthemall。CertaintemperamentssuittheskyandsoilofEngland,sayeightortenortwentyvarieties,as,outofahundredpear—trees,eightortensuitthesoilofanorchard,andthrive,whilstalltheunadaptedtemperamentsdieout。
  TheEnglishderivetheirpedigreefromsucharangeofnationalities,thatthereneedssea—roomandland—roomtounfoldthevarietiesoftalentandcharacter。Perhapstheoceanservesasagalvanicbatterytodistributeacidsatonepole,andalkaliesattheother。SoEnglandtendstoaccumulateherliberalsinAmerica,andherconservativesatLondon。TheScandinaviansinherracestillhearineveryagethemurmursoftheirmother,theocean;theBritoninthebloodhugsthehomesteadstill。
  Again,asiftointensatetheinfluencesthatarenotofrace,whatwethinkofwhenwetalkofEnglishtraitsreallynarrowsitselftoasmalldistrict。ItexcludesIreland,andScotland,andWales,andreducesitselfatlasttoLondon,thatis,tothosewhocomeandgothither。TheportraitsthathangonthewallsintheAcademyExhibitionatLondon,thefiguresinPunch’sdrawingsofthepublicmen,oroftheclub—houses,theprintsintheshop—windows,aredistinctiveEnglish,andnotAmerican,no,norScotch,norIrish:but’tisaveryrestrictednationality。Asyougonorthintothemanufacturingandagriculturaldistricts,andtothepopulationthatnevertravels,asyougointoYorkshire,asyouenterScotland,theworld’sEnglishmanisnolongerfound。InScotland,thereisarapidlossofallgrandeurofmienandmanners;aprovincialeagernessandacutenessappear;thepovertyofthecountrymakesitselfremarked,andacoarsenessofmanners;and,amongtheintellectual,istheinsanityofdialectics。InIreland,arethesameclimateandsoilasinEngland,butlessfood,norightrelationtotheland,politicaldependence,smalltenantry,andaninferiorormisplacedrace。
  Thesequeriesconcerningancestryandbloodmaybewellallowed,forthereisnoprosperitythatseemsmoretodependonthekindofmanthanBritishprosperity。Onlyahardyandwisepeoplecouldhavemadethissmallterritorygreat。Wesay,inaregattaoryacht—race,thatiftheboatsareanywherenearlymatched,itisthemanthatwins。Putthebestsailingmasterintoeitherboat,andhewillwin。
  Yetitisfineforustospeculateinfaceofunbrokentraditions,thoughvague,andlosingthemselvesinfable。Thetraditionshavegotfooting,andrefusetobedisturbed。Thekitchen—clockismoreconvenientthansiderealtime。Wemustusethepopularcategory,aswedobytheLinnaeanclassification,forconvenience,andnotasexactandfinal。Otherwise,wearepresentlyconfounded,whenthebestsettledtraitsofoneraceareclaimedbysomenewethnologistaspreciselycharacteristicoftherivaltribe。
  Ifoundplentyofwell—markedEnglishtypes,theruddycomplexionfairandplump,robustmen,withfacescutlikeadie,andastrongislandspeechandaccent;aNormantype,withthecomplacencythatbelongstothatconstitution。Others,whomightbeAmericans,foranythingthatappearedintheircomplexionorform:
  andtheirspeechwasmuchlessmarked,andtheirthoughtmuchlessbound。WewillcallthemSaxons。ThentheRomanhasimplantedhisdarkcomplexioninthetrinityorquaternityofbloods。
  1。Thesourcesfromwhichtraditionderivestheirstockaremainlythree。And,first,theyareoftheoldestbloodoftheworld,——theCeltic。Somepeoplesaredeciduousortransitory。WherearetheGreeks?wheretheEtrurians?wheretheRomans?ButtheCeltsorSidonidesareanoldfamily,ofwhosebeginningthereisnomemory,andtheirendislikelytobestillmoreremoteinthefuture;fortheyhaveenduranceandproductiveness。TheyplantedBritain,andgavetotheseasandmountainsnameswhicharepoems,andimitatethepurevoicesofnature。TheyarefavorablyrememberedintheoldestrecordsofEurope。Theyhadnoviolentfeudaltenure,butthehusbandmanownedtheland。Theyhadanalphabet,astronomy,priestlyculture,andasublimecreed。Theyhaveahiddenandprecariousgenius。TheymadethebestpopularliteratureofthemiddleagesinthesongsofMerlin,andthetenderanddeliciousmythologyofArthur。
  2。TheEnglishcomemainlyfromtheGermans,whomtheRomansfoundhardtoconquerintwohundredandtenyears,——say,impossibletoconquer,——whenoneremembersthelongsequel;apeopleaboutwhom,intheoldempire,therumorran,therewasneveranythatmeddledwiththemthatrepenteditnot。
  3。Charlemagne,haltingonedayinatownofNarbonneseGaul,lookedoutofawindow,andsawafleetofNorthmencruisingintheMediterranean。Theyevenenteredtheportofthetownwherehewas,causingnosmallalarmandsuddenmanningandarmingofhisgalleys。
  Astheyputouttoseaagain,theemperorgazedlongafterthem,hiseyesbathedintears。"Iamtormentedwithsorrow,"hesaid,"whenI
  foreseetheevilstheywillbringonmyposterity。"TherewasreasonfortheseXerxes’tears。Themenwhohavebuiltashipandinventedtherig,——cordage,sail,compass,andpump,——theworkinginandoutofport,haveacquiredmuchmorethanaship。Nowarmthem,andeveryshoreisattheirmercy。For,iftheyhavenotnumericalsuperioritywheretheyanchor,theyhaveonlytosailamileortwotofindit。Bonaparte’sartofwar,namelyofconcentratingforceonthepointofattack,mustalwaysbetheirswhohavethechoiceofthebattle—ground。Ofcoursetheycomeintothefightfromahighergroundofpowerthantheland—nations;andcanengagethemonshorewithavictoriousadvantageintheretreat。Assoonastheshoresaresufficientlypeopledtomakepiracyalosingbusiness,thesameskillandcouragearereadyfortheserviceoftrade。
  The_Heimskringla_,orSagasoftheKingsofNorway,collectedbySnorroSturleson,istheIliadandOdysseyofEnglishhistory。
  Itsportraits,likeHomer’s,arestronglyindividualized。TheSagasdescribeamonarchicalrepubliclikeSparta。Thegovernmentdisappearsbeforetheimportanceofcitizens。InNorway,noPersianmassesfightandperishtoaggrandizeaking,buttheactorsarebondersorlandholders,everyoneofwhomisnamedandpersonallyandpatronymicallydescribed,astheking’sfriendandcompanion。A
  sparsepopulationgivesthishighworthtoeveryman。Individualsareoftennoticedasveryhandsomepersons,whichtraitonlybringsthestorynearertotheEnglishrace。Thenthesolidmaterialinterestpredominates,sodeartoEnglishunderstanding,whereintheassociationislogical,betweenmeritandland。TheheroesoftheSagasarenottheknightsofSouthEurope。NovaporingofFranceandSpainhascorruptedthem。Theyaresubstantialfarmers,whomtheroughtimeshaveforcedtodefendtheirproperties。Theyhaveweaponswhichtheyuseinadeterminedmanner,bynomeansforchivalry,butfortheiracres。Theyarepeopleconsiderablyadvancedinruralarts,livingamphibiouslyonaroughcoast,anddrawinghalftheirfoodfromthesea,andhalffromtheland。Theyhaveherdsofcows,andmalt,wheat,bacon,butter,andcheese。Theyfishinthefiord,andhuntthedeer。Akingamongthesefarmershasavaryingpower,sometimesnotexceedingtheauthorityofasheriff。Akingwasmaintainedmuchas,insomeofourcountrydistricts,awinter—schoolmasterisquartered,aweekhere,aweekthere,andafortnightonthenextfarm,——onallthefarmersinrotation。Thisthekingcallsgoingintoguest—quarters;anditwastheonlywayinwhich,inapoorcountry,apoorking,withmanyretainers,couldbekeptalive,whenheleaveshisownfarmtocollecthisduesthroughthekingdom。
  TheseNorsemenareexcellentpersonsinthemain,withgoodsense,steadiness,wisespeech,andpromptaction。Buttheyhaveasingularturnforhomicide;theirchiefendofmanistomurder,ortobemurdered;oars,scythes,harpoons,crowbars,peatknives,andhayforks,aretoolsvaluedbythemallthemorefortheircharmingaptitudeforassassinations。Apairofkings,afterdinner,willdivertthemselvesbythrustingeachhisswordthroughtheother’sbody,asdidYngveandAlf。Anotherpairrideoutonamorningforafrolic,and,findingnoweaponnear,willtakethebitsoutoftheirhorses’mouths,andcrusheachother’sheadswiththem,asdidAlricandEric。Thesightofatent—cordoracloak—stringputsthemonhangingsomebody,awife,orahusband,or,bestofall,aking。Ifafarmerhassomuchasahayfork,hesticksitintoaKingDag。
  KingIngialdfindsitvastlyamusingtoburnuphalfadozenkingsinahall,aftergettingthemdrunk。Neverwaspoorgentlemansosurfeitedwithlife,sofurioustoberidofit,astheNorthman。Ifhecannotpickanyotherquarrel,hewillgethimselfcomfortablygoredbyabull’shorns,likeEgil,orslainbyaland—slide,liketheagriculturalKingOnund。Odindiedinhisbed,inSweden;butitwasaproverbofillcondition,todiethedeathofoldage。KingHakeofSwedencutsandslashesinbattle,aslongashecanstand,thenordershiswar—ship,loadedwithhisdeadmenandtheirweapons,tobetakenouttosea,thetillershipped,andthesailsspread;
  beingleftalone,hesetsfiretosometar—wood,andliesdowncontentedondeck。Thewindblewofftheland,theshipflewburninginclearflame,outbetweentheisletsintotheocean,andtherewastherightendofKingHake。
  TheearlySagasaresanguinaryandpiratical;thelaterareofanoblestrain。HistoryrarelyyieldsusbetterpassagesthantheconversationbetweenKingSigurdtheCrusader,andKingEystein,hisbrother,ontheirrespectivemerits,——one,thesoldier,andtheother,aloveroftheartsofpeace。
  ButthereaderoftheNormanhistorymuststeelhimselfbyholdingfasttheremotecompensationswhichresultfromanimalvigor。
  Astheoldfossilworldshowsthatthefirststepsofreducingthechaoswereconfidedtosauriansandotherhugeandhorribleanimals,sothefoundationsofthenewcivilityweretobelaidbythemostsavagemen。
  TheNormanscameoutofFranceintoEnglandworsementhantheywentintoit,onehundredandsixtyyearsbefore。Theyhadlosttheirownlanguage,andlearnedtheRomanceorbarbarousLatinoftheGauls;andhadacquired,withthelanguage,allthevicesithadnamesfor。Theconquesthasobtainedinthechronicles,thenameofthe"memoryofsorrow。"TwentythousandthieveslandedatHastings。
  ThesefoundersoftheHouseofLordsweregreedyandferociousdragoons,sonsofgreedyandferociouspirates。Theywereallalike,theytookeverythingtheycouldcarry,theyburned,harried,violated,tortured,andkilled,untileverythingEnglishwasbroughttothevergeofruin。Such,however,istheillusionofantiquityandwealth,thatdecentanddignifiedmennowexistingboasttheirdescentfromthesefilthythieves,whoshowedafarjusterconvictionoftheirownmerits,byassumingfortheirtypestheswine,goat,jackal,leopard,wolf,andsnake,whichtheyseverallyresembled。
  EnglandyieldedtotheDanesandNorthmeninthetenthandeleventhcenturies,andwasthereceptacleintowhichallthemettleofthatstrenuouspopulationwaspoured。ThecontinueddraughtofthebestmeninNorway,Sweden,andDenmark,tothesepiraticalexpeditions,exhaustedthosecountries,likeatreewhichbearsmuchfruitwhenyoung,andthesehavebeensecond—ratepowerseversince。
  Thepoweroftheracemigrated,andleftNorwayvoid。KingOlafsaid,"WhenKingHarold,myfather,wentwestwardtoEngland,thechosenmeninNorwayfollowedhim:butNorwaywassoemptiedthen,thatsuchmenhavenotsincebeentofindinthecountry,norespeciallysuchaleaderasKingHaroldwasforwisdomandbravery。"
  Itwasatardyrecoiloftheseinvasions,when,in1801,theBritishgovernmentsentNelsontobombardtheDanishfortsintheSound;and,in1807,LordCathcart,atCopenhagen,tooktheentireDanishfleet,asitlayinthebasins,andalltheequipmentsfromtheArsenal,andcarriedthemtoEngland。Konghelle,thetownwherethekingsofNorway,Sweden,andDenmarkwerewonttomeet,isnowrentedtoaprivateEnglishgentlemanforahuntingground。
  Ittookmanygenerationstotrim,andcomb,andperfumethefirstboat—loadofNorsepiratesintoroyalhighnessesandmostnobleKnightsoftheGarter:buteverysparkleofornamentdatesbacktotheNorseboat。Therewillbetimeenoughtomellowthisstrengthintocivilityandreligion。Itisamedicalfact,thatthechildrenoftheblindsee;thechildrenoffelonshaveahealthyconscience。
  Manyamean,dastardlyboyis,attheageofpuberty,transformedintoaseriousandgenerousyouth。
  ThemildnessofthefollowingageshasnotquiteeffacedthesetraitsofOdin;astherudimentofastructurematuredinthetigerissaidtobestillfoundunabsorbedintheCaucasianman。Thenationhasatough,acrid,animalnature,whichcenturiesofchurchingandcivilizinghavenotbeenabletosweeten。Alfierisaid,"thecrimesofItalyweretheproofofthesuperiorityofthestock;"andonemaysayofEngland,thatthiswatchmovesonasplinterofadamant。TheEnglishunculturedareabrutalnation。
  Thecrimesrecordedintheircalendarsleavenothingtobedesiredinthewayofcoldmalignity。DeartotheEnglishheartisafairstand—upfight。Thebrutalityofthemannersinthelowerclassappearsintheboxing,bear—baiting,cock—fighting,loveofexecutions,andinthereadinessforaset—tointhestreets,delightfultotheEnglishofallclasses。ThecostermongersofLondonstreetsholdcowardiceinloathing:——"wemustworkourfistswell;weareallhandywithourfists。"Thepublicschoolsarechargedwithbeingbear—gardensofbrutalstrength,andarelikedbythepeopleforthatcause。Thefaggingisatraitofthesamequality。Medwin,intheLifeofShelley,relates,that,atamilitaryschool,theyrolledupayoungmaninasnowball,andlefthimsoinhisroom,whiletheothercadetswenttochurch;——andcrippledhimforlife。Theyhaveretainedimpressment,deck—flogging,army—flogging,andschool—flogging。Suchistheferocityofthearmydiscipline,thatasoldiersentencedtoflogging,sometimespraysthathissentencemaybecommutedtodeath。
  FloggingbanishedfromthearmiesofWesternEurope,remainsherebythesanctionoftheDukeofWellington。Therightofthehusbandtosellthewifehasbeenretaineddowntoourtimes。TheJewshavebeenthefavoritevictimsofroyalandpopularpersecution。HenryIII。mortgagedalltheJewsinthekingdomtohisbrother,theEarlofCornwall,assecurityformoneywhichheborrowed。Thetortureofcriminals,andtherackforextortingevidence,wereslowlydisused。
  Ofthecriminalstatutes,SirSamuelRomillysaid,"Ihaveexaminedthecodesofallnations,andoursistheworst,andworthyoftheAnthropophagi。"Inthelastsession,theHouseofCommonswaslisteningtodetailsoffloggingandtorturepractisedinthejails。
  Assoonasthisland,thusgeographicallyposted,gotahardypeopleintoit,theycouldnothelpbecomingthesailorsandfactorsoftheglobe。Fromchildhood,theydabbledinwater,theyswumlikefishes,theirplaythingswereboats。Inthecaseoftheship—money,thejudgesdelivereditforlaw,that"Englandbeinganisland,theverymidlandshiresthereinarealltobeaccountedmaritime:"andFulleradds,"thegeniusevenoflandlockedcountiesdrivingthenativeswithamaritimedexterity。"Asearlyastheconquest,itisremarkedinexplanationofthewealthofEngland,thatitsmerchantstradetoallcountries。
  TheEnglish,atthepresentday,havegreatvigorofbodyandendurance。Othercountrymenlookslightandundersizedbesidethem,andinvalids。TheyarebiggermenthantheAmericans。IsupposeahundredEnglishtakenatrandomoutofthestreet,wouldweighafourthmore,thansomanyAmericans。Yet,Iamtold,theskeletonisnotlarger。Theyareround,ruddy,andhandsome;atleast,thewholebustiswellformed;andthereisatendencytostoutandpowerfulframes。Iremarkedthestoutness,onmyfirstlandingatLiverpool;
  porter,drayman,coachman,guard,——whatsubstantial,respectable,grandfatherlyfigures,withcostumeandmannerstosuit。TheAmericanhasarrivedattheoldmansion—house,andfindshimselfamonguncles,aunts,andgrandsires。Thepicturesonthechimney—tilesofhisnurserywerepicturesofthesepeople。Heretheyareintheidenticalcostumesandair,whichsotookhim。
  Itisthefaultoftheirformsthattheygrowstocky,andthewomenhavethatdisadvantage,——fewtall,slenderfiguresofflowingshape,butstuntedandthicksetpersons。TheFrenchsay,thattheEnglishwomenhavetwolefthands。But,inallages,theyareahandsomerace。Thebronzemonumentsofcrusaderslyingcross—legged,intheTempleChurchatLondon,andthoseinWorcesterandinSalisburyCathedrals,whicharesevenhundredyearsold,areofthesametypeasthebestyouthfulheadsofmennowinEngland;——pleasebybeautyofthesamecharacter,anexpressionblendinggood—nature,valor,andrefinement,and,mainly,bythatuncorruptyouthinthefaceofmanhood,whichisdailyseeninthestreetsofLondon。
  BothbranchesoftheScandinavianracearedistinguishedforbeauty。TheanecdoteofthehandsomecaptiveswhichSaintGregoryfoundatRome,A。D。600,ismatchedbythetestimonyoftheNormanchroniclers,fivecenturieslater,whowonderedatthebeautyandlongflowinghairoftheyoungEnglishcaptives。Meantime,theHeimskringlahasfrequentoccasiontospeakofthepersonalbeautyofitsheroes。Whenitisconsideredwhathumanity,whatresourcesofmentalandmoralpower,thetraitsoftheblonderacebetoken,——itsaccessiontoempiremarksanewandfinerepoch,whereintheoldmineralforceshallbesubjugatedatlastbyhumanity,andshallploughinitsfurrowhenceforward。Itisnotafinalrace,onceacrabalwayscrab,butaracewithafuture。
  OntheEnglishfacearecombineddecisionandnerve,withthefaircomplexion,blueeyes,andopenandfloridaspect。Hencetheloveoftruth,hencethesensibility,thefineperception,andpoeticconstruction。ThefairSaxonman,withopenfront,andhonestmeaning,domestic,affectionate,isnotthewoodoutofwhichcannibal,orinquisitor,orassassinismade,butheismouldedforlaw,lawfultrade,civility,marriage,thenurtureofchildren,forcolleges,churches,charities,andcolonies。
  Theyarerathermanlythanwarlike。Whenthewarisover,themaskfallsfromtheaffectionateanddomestictastes,whichmakethemwomeninkindness。Thisunionofqualitiesisfabledintheirnationallegendof_BeautyandtheBeast_,or,longbefore,intheGreeklegendof_Hermaphrodite_。Thetwosexesareco—presentintheEnglishmind。IapplytoBritannia,queenofseasandcolonies,thewordsinwhichherlatestnovelistportrayshisheroine:"sheisasmildassheisgame,andasgameassheismild。"TheEnglishdelightintheantagonismwhichcombinesinonepersontheextremesofcourageandtenderness。Nelson,dyingatTrafalgar,sendshislovetoLordCollingwood,and,likeaninnocentschoolboythatgoestobed,says,"Kissme,Hardy,"andturnstosleep。LordCollingwood,hiscomrade,wasofanaturethemostaffectionateanddomestic。
  AdmiralRodney’sfigureapproachedtodelicacyandeffeminacy,andhedeclaredhimselfverysensibletofear,whichhesurmountedonlybyconsiderationsofhonorandpublicduty。Clarendonsays,theDukeofBuckinghamwassomodestandgentle,thatsomecourtiersattemptedtoputaffrontsonhim,untiltheyfoundthatthismodestyandeffeminacywasonlyamaskforthemostterribledetermination。AndSirJamesParrysaid,theotherday,ofSirJohnFranklin,that,"ifhefoundWellingtonSoundopen,heexploredit;forhewasamanwhoneverturnedhisbackonadanger,yetofthattenderness,thathewouldnotbrushawayamosquito。"Evenfortheirhighwaymenthesamevirtueisclaimed,andRobinHoodcomesdescribedtousas_mitissimuspraedonum_,thegentlestthief。Buttheyknowwheretheirwar—dogslie。Cromwell,Blake,Marlborough,Chatham,Nelson,andWellington,arenottobetrifledwith,andthebrutalstrengthwhichliesatthebottomofsociety,theanimalferocityofthequaysandcockpits,thebulliesofthecoster—mongersofShoreditch,SevenDials,andSpitalfields,theyknowhowtowakeup。
  Theyhaveavigoroushealth,andlastwellintomiddleandoldage。Theoldmenareasredasroses,andstillhandsome。Aclearskin,apeach—bloomcomplexion,andgoodteeth,arefoundallovertheisland。Theyuseaplentifulandnutritiousdiet。Theoperativecannotsubsistonwatercresses。Beef,mutton,wheatbread,andmalt—liquors,areuniversalamongthefirst—classlaborers。Goodfeedingisachiefpointofnationalprideamongthevulgar,and,intheircaricatures,theyrepresenttheFrenchmanasapoor,starvedbody。ItiscuriousthatTacitusfoundtheEnglishbeeralreadyinuseamongtheGermans:"theymakefrombarleyorwheatadrinkcorruptedintosomeresemblancetowine。"LordChiefJusticeFortescueinHenryVI。’stime,says,"TheinhabitantsofEnglanddrinknowater,unlessatcertaintimes,onareligiousscore,andbywayofpenance。"Theextremesofpovertyandasceticpenance,itwouldseem,neverreachcoldwaterinEngland。Wood,theantiquary,indescribingthepovertyandmacerationofFatherLacey,anEnglishJesuit,doesnotdenyhimbeer。Hesays,"hisbedwasunderathatching,andthewaytoitupaladder;hisfarewascoarse;hisdrink,ofapennyagawn,orgallon。"
  Theyhavemoreconstitutionalenergythananyotherpeople。
  Theythink,withHenriQuatre,thatmanlyexercisesarethefoundationofthatelevationofmindwhichgivesonenatureascendantoveranother;or,withtheArabs,thatthedaysspentinthechasearenotcountedinthelengthoflife。Theybox,run,shoot,ride,row,andsailfrompoletopole。Theyeat,anddrink,andlivejollyintheopenair,puttingabarofsolidsleepbetweendayandday。
  Theywalkandrideasfastastheycan,theirheadbentforward,asifurgedonsomepressingaffair。TheFrenchsay,thatEnglishmeninthestreetalwayswalkstraightbeforethemlikemaddogs。Menandwomenwalkwithinfatuation。Assoonashecanhandleagun,huntingisthefineartofeveryEnglishmanofcondition。Theyarethemostvoraciouspeopleofpreythateverexisted。Everyseasonturnsoutthearistocracyintothecountry,toshootandfish。ThemorevigorousrunoutoftheislandtoEurope,toAmerica,toAsia,toAfrica,andAustralia,tohuntwithfurybygun,bytrap,byharpoon,bylasso,withdog,withhorse,withelephant,orwithdromedary,allthegamethatisinnature。Thesemenhavewrittenthegame—booksofallcountries,asHawker,Scrope,Murray,Herbert,Maxwell,Cumming,andahostoftravellers。Thepeopleathomeareaddictedtoboxing,running,leaping,androwingmatches。
  Isuppose,thedogsandhorsesmustbethankedforthefact,thatthemenhavemusclesalmostastoughandsuppleastheirown。
  Ifineveryefficientman,thereisfirstafineanimal,intheEnglishraceitisofthebestbreed,awealthy,juicy,broad—chestedcreature,steepedinaleandgoodcheer,andalittleoverloadedbyhisflesh。Menofanimalnaturerely,likeanimals,ontheirinstincts。TheEnglishmanassociateswellwithdogsandhorses。Hisattachmenttothehorsearisesfromthecourageandaddressrequiredtomanageit。Thehorsefindsoutwhoisafraidofit,anddoesnotdisguiseitsopinion。Theiryoungboilingclerksandlustycollegianslikethecompanyofhorsesbetterthanthecompanyofprofessors。Isuppose,thehorsesarebettercompanyforthem。ThehorsehasmoreusesthanBuffonnoted。Ifyougointothestreets,everydriverinbusordrayisabully,and,ifIwantedagoodtroopofsoldiers,Ishouldrecruitamongthestables。Addacertaindegreeofrefinementtothevivacityoftheseriders,andyouobtaintheprecisequalitywhichmakesthemenandwomenofpolitesocietyformidable。
  Theycomehonestlybytheirhorsemanship,with_Hengst_and_Horsa_fortheirSaxonfounders。TheotherbranchoftheirracehadbeenTartarnomads。Thehorsewasalltheirwealth。Thechildrenwerefedonmares’milk。ThepasturesofTartarywerestillrememberedbythetenaciouspracticeoftheNorsementoeathorsefleshatreligiousfeasts。IntheDanishinvasions,themaraudersseizeduponhorseswheretheylanded,andwereatonceconvertedintoabodyofexpertcavalry。
  Atonetime,thisskillseemstohavedeclined。Twocenturiesago,theEnglishhorseneverperformedanyeminentservicebeyondtheseas;andthereasonassigned,was,thatthegeniusoftheEnglishhathalwaysmoreinclinedthemtofoot—service,aspureandpropermanhood,withoutanymixture;whilst,inavictoryonhorseback,thecreditoughttobedividedbetwixtthemanandhishorse。Butintwohundredyears,achangehastakenplace。Now,theyboastthattheyunderstandhorsesbetterthananyotherpeopleintheworld,andthattheirhorsesarebecometheirsecondselves。
  "WilliamtheConquerorbeing,"saysCamden,"betteraffectedtobeaststhantomen,imposedheavyfinesandpunishmentsonthosethatshouldmeddlewithhisgame。"TheSaxonChroniclesays,"helovedthetalldeerasifheweretheirfather。"AndrichEnglishmenhavefollowedhisexample,accordingtotheirability,eversince,inencroachingonthetillageandcommonswiththeirgame—preserves。ItisaproverbinEngland,thatitissafertoshootaman,thanahare。Theseverityofthegame—lawscertainlyindicatesanextravagantsympathyofthenationwithhorsesandhunters。Thegentlemenarealwaysonhorseback,andhavebroughthorsestoanidealperfection,——theEnglishracerisafactitiousbreed。A
  scoreortwoofmountedgentlemenmayfrequentlybeseenrunninglikecentaursdownahillnearlyassteepastheroofofahouse。Everyinn—roomislinedwithpicturesofraces;telegraphscommunicate,everyhour,tidingsoftheheatsfromNewmarketandAscot:andtheHouseofCommonsadjournsoverthe`DerbyDay。’
  ChapterV_Ability_
  ThesaxonandtheNorthmanarebothScandinavians。Historydoesnotallowustofixthelimitsoftheapplicationofthesenameswithanyaccuracy;butfromtheresidenceofaportionofthesepeopleinFrance,andfromsomeeffectofthatpowerfulsoilontheirbloodandmanners,theNormanhascomepopularlytorepresentinEnglandthearistocratic,——andtheSaxonthedemocraticprinciple。
  Andthough,Idoubtnot,thenoblesareofbothtribes,andtheworkersofboth,yetweareforcedtousethenamesalittlemythically,onetorepresenttheworker,andtheothertheenjoyer。
  Theislandwasaprizeforthebestrace。Eachofthedominantracestrieditsfortuneinturn。ThePh;oenician,theCelt,andtheGoth,hadalreadygotin。TheRomancame,butintheverydaywhenhisfortuneculminated。Helookedintheeyesofanewpeoplethatwastosupplanthisown。Hedisembarkedhislegions,erectedhiscampsandtowers,——presentlyheheardbadnewsfromItaly,andworseandworse,everyyear;atlast,hemadeahandsomecomplimentofroadsandwalls,anddeparted。ButtheSaxonseriouslysettledintheland,builded,tilled,fished,andtraded,withGermantruthandadhesiveness。TheDanecame,anddividedwithhim。Lastofall,theNorman,orFrench—Dane,arrived,andformallyconquered,harriedandruledthekingdom。Acenturylater,itcameout,thattheSaxonhadthemostbottomandlongevity,hadmanagedtomakethevictorspeakthelanguageandacceptthelawandusageofthevictim;forcedthebarontodictateSaxontermstoNormankings;and,stepbystep,gotalltheessentialsecuritiesofcivillibertyinventedandconfirmed。
  Thegeniusoftheraceandthegeniusoftheplaceconspiredtothiseffect。Theislandislucrativetofreelabor,butnotworthpossessiononotherterms。Theracewassointellectual,thatafeudalormilitarytenurecouldnotlastlongerthanthewar。ThepoweroftheSaxon—Danes,sothoroughlybeateninthewar,thatthenameofEnglishandvilleinweresynonymous,yetsovivaciousastoextortchartersfromthekings,stoodonthestrongpersonalityofthesepeople。Senseandeconomymustruleinaworldwhichismadeofsenseandeconomy,andthebanker,withhisseven_percent_,drivestheearloutofhiscastle。Anobilityofsoldierscannotkeepdownacommonaltyofshrewdscientificpersons。Whatsignifiesapedigreeofahundredlinks,againstacotton—spinnerwithsteaminhismill;or,againstacompanyofbroad—shoulderedLiverpoolmerchants,forwhomStephensonandBrunelarecontrivinglocomotivesandatubularbridge?
  TheseSaxonsarethehandsofmankind。Theyhavethetastefortoil,adistasteforpleasureorrepose,andthetelescopicappreciationofdistantgain。Theyarethewealth—makers,——andbydintofmentalfaculty,whichhasitsownconditions。TheSaxonworksafterliking,or,onlyforhimself;andtosethimatwork,andtobegintodrawhismonstrousvaluesoutofbarrenBritain,alldishonor,fret,andbarriermustberemoved,andthenhisenergiesbegintoplay。
  TheScandinavianfanciedhimselfsurroundedbyTrolls,——akindofgoblinmen,withvastpowerofworkandskilfulproduction,——divinestevedores,carpenters,reapers,smiths,andmasons,swifttorewardeverykindnessdonethem,withgiftsofgoldandsilver。
  InallEnglishhistory,thisdreamcomestopass。CertainTrollsorworkingbrains,underthenamesofAlfred,Bede,Caxton,Bracton,Camden,Drake,Selden,Dugdale,Newton,Gibbon,Brindley,Watt,Wedgwood,dwellinthetroll—mountsofBritain,andturnthesweatoftheirfacetopowerandrenown。
  Iftheraceisgood,soistheplace。Nobodylandedonthisspellboundislandwithimpunity。Theenchantmentsofbarrenshingleandroughweather,transformedeveryadventurerintoalaborer。Eachvagabondthatarrivedbenthisnecktotheyokeofgain,orfoundtheairtootenseforhim。Thestrongsurvived,theweakerwenttotheground。Eventhepleasure—huntersandsotsofEnglandareofatoughertexture。AhardtemperamenthadbeenformedbySaxonandSaxon—Dane,andsuchoftheseFrenchorNormansascouldreachit,werenaturalizedineverysense。
  AlltheadmirableexpedientsormeanshituponinEnglandmustbelookedatasgrowthsorirresistibleoffshootsoftheexpandingmindoftherace。Amanofthatbrainthinksandactsthus;andhisneighbor,beingafflictedwiththesamekindofbrain,thoughheisrich,andcalledabaron,oraduke,thinksthesamething,andisreadytoallowthejusticeofthethoughtandactinhisretainerortenant,thoughsorelyagainsthisbaronialorducalwill。
  Theislandwasrenownedinantiquityforitsbreedofmastiffs,sofierce,that,whentheirteethwereset,youmustcuttheirheadsofftopartthem。Themanwaslikehisdog。Thepeoplehavethatnervousbilioustemperament,whichisknownbymedicalmentoresisteverymeansemployedtomakeitspossessorsubservienttothewillofothers。TheEnglishgameismainforcetomainforce,theplantingoffoottofoot,fairplayandopenfield,——aroughtugwithouttrickordodging,tilloneorbothcometopieces。KingEthelwaldspokethelanguageofhisrace,whenheplantedhimselfatWimborne,andsaid,`hewoulddooneoftwothings,ortherelive,ortherelie。’Theyhatecraftandsubtlety。Theyneitherpoison,norwaylay,norassassinate;and,whentheyhavepoundedeachothertoapoultice,theywillshakehandsandbefriendsfortheremainderoftheirlives。
  YoushalltracetheseGothictouchesatschool,atcountryfairs,atthehustings,andinparliament。Noartifice,nobreachoftruthandplaindealing,——notsomuchassecretballot,issufferedintheisland。Inparliament,thetacticsoftheoppositionistoresisteverystepofthegovernment,byapitilessattack:andinabargain,noprospectofadvantageissodeartothemerchant,asthethoughtofbeingtrickedismortifying。
  SirKenelmDigby,acourtierofCharlesandJames,whowonthesea—fightofScanderoon,wasamodelEnglishmaninhisday。"Hispersonwashandsomeandgigantic,hehadsogracefulelocutionandnobleaddress,that,hadhebeendroptoutofthecloudsinanypartoftheworld,hewouldhavemadehimselfrespected:hewasskilledinsixtongues,andmasterofartsandarms。"(*1)SirKenelmwroteabook,"OfBodiesandofSouls,"inwhichhepropounds,that"syllogismsdobreedorratherareallthevarietyofman’slife。
  Theyarethestepsbywhichwewalkinallourbusinesses。Man,asheisman,dothnothingelsebutweavesuchchains。Whatsoeverhedoth,swarvingfromthiswork,hedothasdeficientfromthenatureofman:and,ifhedoaughtbeyondthis,bybreakingoutintodiverssortsofexterioractions,hefindeth,nevertheless,inthislinkedsequelofsimplediscourses,theart,thecause,therule,thebounds,andthemodelofit。"(*2)
  TherespokethegeniusoftheEnglishpeople。Thereisanecessityonthemtobelogical。Theywouldhardlygreetthegoodthatdidnotlogicallyfall,——asifitexcludedtheirownmerit,orshooktheirunderstandings。Theyarejealousofmindsthathavemuchfacilityofassociation,fromaninstinctivefearthattheseeingmanyrelationstotheirthoughtmightimpairthisserialcontinuityandlucrativeconcentration。Theyareimpatientofgenius,orofmindsaddictedtocontemplation,andcannotconcealtheircontemptforsalliesofthought,howeverlawful,whosestepstheycannotcountbytheirwontedrule。Neitherdotheyreckonbetterasyllogismthatendsinsyllogism。Fortheyhaveasupremeeyetofacts,andtheirsisalogicthatbringssalttosoup,hammertonail,oartoboat,thelogicofcooks,carpenters,andchemists,followingthesequenceofnature,andoneonwhichwordsmakenoimpression。Theirmindisnotdazzledbyitsownmeans,butlockedandboltedtoresults。Theylovemen,who,likeSamuelJohnson,adoctorintheschools,wouldjumpoutofhissyllogismtheinstanthismajorpropositionwasindanger,tosavethat,atallhazards。Theirpracticalvisionisspacious,andtheycanholdmanythreadswithoutentanglingthem。
  Allthestepstheyorderlytake;butwiththehighlogicofneverconfoundingtheminorandmajorproposition;keepingtheireyeontheiraim,inallthecomplicityanddelayincidenttotheseveralseriesofmeanstheyemploy。Thereisroomintheirmindsforthisvandthat,——ascienceofdegrees。Inthecourts,theindependenceofthejudgesandtheloyaltyofthesuitorsareequallyexcellent。
  InParliament,theyhavehitonthatcapitalinventionoffreedom,aconstitutionalopposition。Andwhencourtsandparliamentarebothdeaf,theplaintiffisnotsilenced。Calm,patient,hisweaponofdefencefromyeartoyearistheobstinatereproductionofthegrievance,withcalculationsandestimates。But,meantime,heisdrawingnumbersandmoneytohisopinion,resolvedthatifallremedyfails,rightofrevolutionisatthebottomofhischarter—box。Theyareboundtoseetheirmeasurecarried,andsticktoitthroughagesofdefeat。
  IntothisEnglishlogic,however,aninfusionofjusticeenters,notsoapparentinotherraces,——abeliefintheexistenceoftwosides,andtheresolutiontoseefairplay。Thereisoneveryquestion,anappealfromtheassertionoftheparties,totheproofofwhatisasserted。Theyareimpiousintheirscepticismofatheory,butkissthedustbeforeafact。Isitamachine,isitacharter,isitaboxerinthering,isitacandidateonthehustings,——theuniverseofEnglishmenwillsuspendtheirjudgment,untilthetrialcanbehad。Theyarenottobeledbyaphrase,theywantaworkingplan,aworkingmachine,aworkingconstitution,andwillsitoutthetrial,andabidebytheissue,andrejectallpreconceivedtheories。Inpoliticstheyputbluntquestions,whichmustbeanswered;whoistopaythetaxes?whatwillyoudofortrade?whatforcorn?whatforthespinner?
  ThissingularfairnessanditsresultsstriketheFrenchwithsurprise。PhilipdeComminessays,"Now,inmyopinion,amongallthesovereigntiesIknowintheworld,thatinwhichthepublicgoodisbestattendedto,andtheleastviolenceexercisedonthepeople,isthatofEngland。"Lifeissafe,andpersonalrights;andwhatisfreedom,withoutsecurity?whilst,inFrance,`fraternity,’
  `equality,’and`indivisibleunity,’arenamesforassassination。
  Montesquieusaid,"Englandisthefreestcountryintheworld。IfamaninEnglandhadasmanyenemiesashairsonhishead,noharmwouldhappentohim。"
  Theirself—respect,theirfaithincausation,andtheirrealisticlogicorcouplingofmeanstoends,havegiventhemtheleadershipofthemodernworld。Montesquieusaid,"NopeoplehavetruecommonsensebutthosewhoareborninEngland。"Thiscommonsenseisaperceptionofalltheconditionsofourearthlyexistence,oflawsthatcanbestated,andoflawsthatcannotbestated,orthatarelearnedonlybypractice,inwhichallowanceforfrictionismade。Theyareimpiousintheirscepticismoftheory,andinhighdepartmentstheyarecrampedandsterile。Buttheunconditionalsurrendertofacts,andthechoiceofmeanstoreachtheirends,areasadmirableaswithantsandbees。
  Thebiasofthenationisapassionforutility。Theylovethelever,thescrew,andpulley,theFlandersdraught—horse,thewaterfall,wind—mills,tide—mills;theseaandthewindtobeartheirfreightships。MorethanthediamondKoh—i—noor,whichglittersamongtheircrownjewels,theyprizethatdullpebblewhichiswiserthanaman,whosepolesturnthemselvestothepolesoftheworld,andwhoseaxisisparalleltotheaxisoftheworld。Now,theirtoysaresteamandgalvanism。Theyareheavyatthefinearts,butadroitatthecoarse;notgoodinjewelryormosaics,butthebestiron—masters,colliers,wool—combers,andtanners,inEurope。Theyapplythemselvestoagriculture,todraining,toresistingencroachmentsofsea,wind,travellingsands,coldandwetsub—soil;
  tofishery,tomanufactureofindispensablestaples,——salt,plumbago,leather,wool,glass,pottery,andbrick,——tobeesandsilkworms;——andbytheirsteadycombinationstheysucceed。A
  manufacturersitsdowntodinnerinasuitofclotheswhichwaswoolonasheep’sbackatsunrise。Youdinewithagentlemanonvenison,pheasant,quail,pigeons,poultry,mushrooms,andpine—apples,allthegrowthofhisestate。Theyareneathusbandsfororderingalltheirtoolspertainingtohouseandfield。Allarewellkept。Thereisnowantandnowaste。Theystudyuseandfitnessintheirbuilding,intheorderoftheirdwellings,andintheirdress。TheFrenchmaninventedtheruffle,theEnglishmanaddedtheshirt。TheEnglishmanwearsasensiblecoatbuttonedtothechin,ofroughbutsolidandlastingtexture。Ifheisalord,hedressesalittleworsethanacommoner。Theyhavediffusedthetasteforplainsubstantialhats,shoes,andcoatsthroughEurope。Theythinkhimthebestdressedman,whosedressissofitforhisusethatyoucannotnoticeorremembertodescribeit。
  Theysecuretheessentialsintheirdiet,intheirarts,andmanufactures。Everyarticleofcutleryshows,initsshape,thoughtandlongexperienceofworkmen。Theyputtheexpenseintherightplace,as,intheirsea—steamers,inthesolidityofthemachineryandthestrengthoftheboat。TheadmirableequipmentoftheirarcticshipscarriesLondontothepole。Theybuildroads,aqueducts,warmandventilatehouses。Andtheyhaveimpressedtheirdirectnessandpracticalhabitonmoderncivilization。
  Intrade,theEnglishmanbelievesthatnobodybreakswhooughtnottobreak;and,that,ifhedonotmaketradeeverything,itwillmakehimnothing;andactsonthisbelief。Thespiritofsystem,attentiontodetails,andthesubordinationofdetails,or,thenotdrivingthingstoofinely,(whichischargedontheGermans,)
  constitutethatdespatchofbusiness,whichmakesthemercantilepowerofEngland。
  Inwar,theEnglishmanlookstohismeans。HeisoftheopinionofCivilis,hisGermanancestor,whomTacitusreportsasholding"thatthegodsareonthesideofthestrongest;"———asentencewhichBonaparteunconsciouslytranslated,whenhesaid,"thathehadnoticed,thatProvidencealwaysfavoredtheheaviestbattalion。"Theirmilitarysciencepropoundsthatiftheweightoftheadvancingcolumnisgreaterthanthatoftheresisting,thelatterisdestroyed。ThereforeWellington,whenhecametothearmyinSpain,hadeverymanweighed,firstwithaccoutrements,andthenwithout;believingthattheforceofanarmydependedontheweightandpoweroftheindividualsoldiers,inspiteofcannon。LordPalmerstontoldtheHouseofCommons,thatmorecareistakenofthehealthandcomfortofEnglishtroopsthanofanyothertroopsintheworld;andthat,hencetheEnglishcanputmoremenintotherank,onthedayofaction,onthefieldofbattle,thananyotherarmy。
  BeforethebombardmentoftheDanishfortsintheBaltic,Nelsonspentdayafterday,himselfintheboats,ontheexhaustingserviceofsoundingthechannel。ClerkofEldin’scelebratedman;oeuvreofbreakingthelineofsea—battle,andNelson’sfeatof_doubling,_orstationinghisshipsoneontheouterbow,andanotherontheouterquarterofeachoftheenemy’swereonlytranslationsintonavaltacticsofBonaparte’sruleofconcentration。LordCollingwoodwasaccustomedtotellhismen,that,iftheycouldfirethreewell—directedbroadsidesinfiveminutes,novesselcouldresistthem;and,fromconstantpractice,theycametodoitinthreeminutesandahalf。
  Butconsciousthatnoraceofbettermenexists,theyrelymostonthesimplestmeans;anddonotlikeponderousanddifficulttactics,butdelighttobringtheaffairhandtohand,wherethevictorylieswiththestrength,courage,andenduranceoftheindividualcombatants。Theyadopteveryimprovementinrig,inmotor,inweapons,buttheyfundamentallybelievethatthebeststratageminnavalwar,istolayyourshipclosealongsideoftheenemy’sship,andbringallyourgunstobearonhim,untilyouorhegotothebottom。Thisistheoldfashion,whichnevergoesoutoffashion,neitherinnoroutofEngland。
  Itisnotusuallyapointofhonor,norareligioussentiment,andneveranywhimthattheywillshedtheirbloodfor;butusuallyproperty,andrightmeasuredbyproperty,thatbreedsrevolution。
  TheyhavenoIndiantasteforatomahawk—dance,noFrenchtasteforabadgeoraproclamation。TheEnglishmanispeaceablymindinghisbusiness,andearninghisday’swages。Butifyouoffertolayhandonhisday’swages,onhiscow,orhisrightincommon,orhisshop,hewillfighttotheJudgment。Magna—charta,jury—trial,_habeas—corpus_,star—chamber,ship—money,Popery,Plymouth—colony,AmericanRevolution,areallquestionsinvolvingayeoman’srighttohisdinner,and,exceptastouchingthat,wouldnothavelashedtheBritishnationtorageandrevolt。
  Whilsttheyarethusinstinctwithaspiritoforder,andofcalculation,itmustbeownedtheyarecapableoflargerviews;buttheindulgenceisexpensivetothem,costsgreatcrises,oraccumulationsofmentalpower。Incommon,thehorseworksbestwithblinders。NothingismoreinthelineofEnglishthought,thanourunvarnishedConnecticutquestion,"Pray,sir,howdoyougetyourlivingwhenyouareathome?"Thequestionsoffreedom,oftaxation,ofprivilege,aremoneyquestions。Heavyfellows,steepedinbeerandfleshpots,theyarehardofhearinganddimofsight。Theirdrowsymindsneedtobeflagellatedbywarandtradeandpoliticsandpersecution。Theycannotwellreadaprinciple,exceptbythelightoffagotsandofburningtowns。
  TacitussaysoftheGermans,"powerfulonlyinsuddenefforts,theyareimpatientoftoilandlabor。"Thishighly—destinedrace,ifithadnotsomewhereaddedthechamberofpatiencetoitsbrain,wouldnothavebuiltLondon。Iknownotfromwhichofthetribesandtemperamentsthatwenttothecompositionofthepeoplethistenacitywassupplied,buttheyclincheverynailtheydrive。Theyhavenorunningforluck,andnoimmoderatespeed。Theyspendlargelyontheirfabric,andawaittheslowreturn。Theirleatherliestanningsevenyearsinthevat。AtRogers’smills,inSheffield,whereIwasshowntheprocessofmakingarazorandapenknife,Iwastoldthereisnoluckinmakinggoodsteel;thattheymakenomistakes,everybladeinthehundredandinthethousandisgood。Andthatischaracteristicofalltheirwork,——nomoreisattemptedthanisdone。
  WhenThorandhiscompanionsarriveatUtgard,heistoldthat"nobodyispermittedtoremainhere,unlessheunderstandsomeart,andexcelinitallothermen。"ThesamequestionisstillputtotheposterityofThor。Anationoflaborers,everymanistrainedtosomeoneartordetail,andaimsatperfectioninthat;notcontentunlesshehassomethinginwhichhethinkshesurpassesallothermen。Hewouldrathernotdoanythingatall,thannotdoitwell。
  Isupposenopeoplehavesuchthoroughness;——fromthehighesttothelowest,everymanmeaningtobemasterofhisart。
  "Toshowcapacity,"aFrenchmandescribedastheendofaspeechindebate:"no,"saidanEnglishman,"buttosetyourshoulderatthewheel,——toadvancethebusiness。"SirSamuelRomillyrefusedtospeakinpopularassemblies,confininghimselftotheHouseofCommons,whereameasurecanbecarriedbyaspeech。ThebusinessoftheHouseofCommonsisconductedbyafewpersons,butthesearehard—worked。SirRobertPeel"knewtheBlueBooksbyheart。"HiscolleaguesandrivalscarryHansardintheirheads。Thehighcivilandlegalofficesarenotbedsofease,butpostswhichexactfrightfulamountsofmentallabor。Manyofthegreatleaders,likePitt,Canning,Castlereagh,Romilly,aresoonworkedtodeath。TheyareexcellentjudgesEnglandofagoodworker,andwhentheyfindone,likeClarendon,SirPhilipWarwick,SirWilliamCoventry,Ashley,Burke,Thurlow,Mansfield,Pitt,Eldon,Peel,orRussell,thereisnothingtoogoodortoohighforhim。
  TheyhaveawonderfulheatinthepursuitofapublicaimPrivatepersonsexhibit,inscientificandantiquarianresearches,thesamepertinacityasthenationshowedinthecoalitionsinwhichityokedEuropeagainsttheempireofBonaparte,oneaftertheotherdefeated,andstillrenewed,untilthesixthhurledhimfromhisseat。
  SirJohnHerschel,incompletionoftheworkofhisfather,whohadmadethecatalogueofthestarsofthenorthernhemisphere,expatriatedhimselfforyearsattheCapeofGoodHope,finishedhisinventoryofthesouthernheaven,camehome,andredacteditineightyearsmore;——aworkwhosevaluedoesnotbeginuntilthirtyyearshaveelapsed,andthenceforwardarecordtoallagesofthehighestimport。TheAdmiraltysentouttheArcticexpeditionsyearafteryear,insearchofSirJohnFranklin,until,atlast,theyhavethreadedtheirwaythroughpolarpackandBehring’sStraits,andsolvedthegeographicalproblem。LordElgin,atAthens,sawtheimminentruinoftheGreekremains,setuphisscaffoldings,inspiteofepigrams,and,afterfiveyears’labortocollectthem,gothismarblesonshipboard。Theshipstruckarock,andwenttothebottom。Hehadthemallfishedup,bydivers,atavastexpense,andbroughttoLondon;notknowingthatHaydon,Fuseli,andCanova,andallgoodheadsinalltheworld,weretobehisapplauders。Inthesamespirit,weretheexcavationandresearchbySirCharlesFellowes,fortheXanthianmonument;andofLayard,forhisNinevehsculptures。
  Thenationsitsintheimmensecitytheyhavebuilded,aLondonextendedintoeveryman’smind,thoughheliveinVanDieman’sLandorCapetown。Faithfulperformanceofwhatisundertakentobeperformed,theyhonorinthemselves,andexactinothers,ascertificateofequalitywiththemselves。Themodernworldistheirs。
  Theyhavemadeandmakeitdaybyday。ThecommercialrelationsoftheworldaresointimatelydrawntoLondon,thateverydollaronearthcontributestothestrengthoftheEnglishgovernment。Andifallthewealthintheplanetshouldperishbywarordeluge,theyknowthemselvescompetenttoreplaceit。
  TheyhaveapprovedtheirSaxonblood,bytheirsea—goingqualities;theirdescentfromOdin’ssmiths,bytheirhereditaryskillinworkinginiron;theirBritishbirth,byhusbandryandimmensewheatharvests;andjustifiedtheiroccupancyofthecentreofhabitableland,bytheirsupremeabilityandcosmopolitanspirit。
  Theyhavetilled,builded,forged,spun,andwoven。Theyhavemadetheislandathoroughfare;andLondonashop,alaw—court,arecord—office,andscientificbureau,invitingtostrangers;asanctuarytorefugeesofeverypoliticalandreligiousopinion;andsuchacity,thatalmosteveryactiveman,inanynation,findshimself,atonetimeorother,forcedtovisitit。
  Ineverypathofpracticalactivity,theyhavegoneevenwiththebest。Thereisnosecretofwar,inwhichtheyhavenotshownmastery。Thesteam—chamberofWatt,thelocomotiveofStephenson,thecotton—muleofRoberts,performthelaboroftheworld。Thereisnodepartmentofliterature,ofscience,orofusefulart,inwhichtheyhavenotproducedafirst—ratebook。ItisEngland,whoseopinioniswaitedforonthemeritofanewinvention,animprovedscience。Andinthecomplicationsofthetradeandpoliticsoftheirvastempire,theyhavebeenequaltoeveryexigency,withcounselandwithconduct。Isittheirluck,orisitinthechambersoftheirbrain,——itistheircommercialadvantage,thatwhateverlightappearsinbettermethodorhappyinvention,breaksout_intheirrace_。Theyareafamilytowhichadestinyattaches,andtheBansheehasswornthatamaleheirshallneverbewanting。Theyhaveawealthofmentofillimportantposts,andthevigilanceofpartycriticisminsurestheselectionofacompetentperson。
  AproofoftheenergyoftheBritishpeople,isthehighlyartificialconstructionofthewholefabric。Theclimateandgeography,Isaid,werefactitious,asifthehandsofmanhadarrangedtheconditions。Thesamecharacterpervadesthewholekingdom。Baconsaid,"Romewasastatenotsubjecttoparadoxes;"
  butEnglandsubsistsbyantagonismsandcontradictions。Thefoundationsofitsgreatnessaretherollingwaves;and,fromfirsttolast,itisamuseumofanomalies。Thisfoggyandrainycountryfurnishestheworldwithastronomicalobservations。Itsshortriversdonotaffordwater—power,butthelandshakesunderthethunderofthemills。Thereisnogoldmineofanyimportance,butthereismoregoldinEnglandthaninallothercountries。Itistoofarnorthforthecultureofthevine,butthewinesofallcountriesareinitsdocks。TheFrenchComtedeLauraguaissaid,"nofruitripensinEnglandbutabakedapple";butorangesandpine—applesareascheapinLondonasintheMediterranean。TheMark—LaneExpress,ortheCustomHouseReturnsbearouttotheletterthevauntofPope,"LetIndiaboastherpalms,norenvyweTheweepingamber,northespicytree,While,byouroaks,thosepreciousloadsareborne,Andrealmscommandedwhichthosetreesadorn。"
  Thenativecattleareextinct,buttheislandisfullofartificialbreeds。TheagriculturistBakewell,createdsheepandcowsandhorsestoorder,andbreedsinwhicheverythingwasomittedbutwhatiseconomical。Thecowissacrificedtoherbag,theoxtohissurloin。Stall—feedingmakessperm—millsofthecattle,andconvertsthestabletoachemicalfactory。Therivers,lakesandponds,toomuchfished,orobstructedbyfactories,areartificiallyfilledwiththeeggsofsalmon,turbotandherring。