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。