第4章
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  Doestheearlyhistoryofeachtribeshowthepermanentbias,which,thoughnotlesspotent,ismasked,asthetribespreadsitsactivityintocolonies,commerce,codes,arts,letters?Theearlyhistoryshowsit,asthemusicianplaystheairwhichheproceedstoconcealinatempestofvariations。InAlfred,intheNorthmen,onemayreadthegeniusoftheEnglishsociety,namely,thatprivatelifeistheplaceofhonor。Glory,acareer,andambition,wordsfamiliartothelongitudeofParis,areseldomheardinEnglishspeech。

  Nelsonwrotefromtheirheartshishomelytelegraph,\"Englandexpectseverymantodohisduty。\"

  Foractualservice,forthedignityofaprofession,ortoappeasediseasedorinflamedtalent,thearmyandnavymaybeentered(theworstboysdoingwellinthenavy);andthecivilservice,indepartmentswhereseriousofficialworkisdone;andtheyholdinesteemthebarristerengagedinthesevererstudiesofthelaw。Butthecalm,sound,andmostBritishBritonshrinksfrompubliclife,ascharlatanism,andrespectsaneconomyfoundedonagriculture,coal—mines,manufactures,ortrade,whichsecuresanindependencethroughthecreationofrealvalues。

  Theywishneithertocommandorobey,buttobekingsintheirownhouses。Theyareintellectualanddeeplyenjoyliterature;theylikewelltohavetheworldserveduptotheminbooks,maps,models,andeverymodeofexactinformation,and,thoughnotcreatorsinart,theyvalueitsrefinement。Theyarereadyforleisure,candirectandfilltheirownday,norneedsomuchasotherstheconstraintofanecessity。Butthehistoryofthenationdiscloses,ateveryturn,thisoriginalpredilectionforprivateindependence,and,howeverthisinclinationmayhavebeendisturbedbythebribeswithwhichtheirvastcolonialpowerhaswarpedmenoutoforbit,theinclinationendures,andformsandreformsthelaws,letters,manners,andoccupations。Theychoosethatwelfarewhichiscompatiblewiththecommonwealth,knowingthatsuchaloneisstable;

  aswisemerchantspreferinvestmentsinthethreepercents。

  ChapterIX_Cockayne_

  Theenglishareanationofhumorists。Individualrightispushedtotheuttermostboundcompatiblewithpublicorder。Propertyissoperfect,thatitseemsthecraftofthatrace,andnottoexistelsewhere。Thekingcannotsteponanacrewhichthepeasantrefusestosell。Atestatorendowsadogorarookery,andEuropecannotinterferewithhisabsurdity。Everyindividualhashisparticularwayofliving,whichhepushestofolly,andthedecidedsympathyofhiscompatriotsisengagedtobackupMr。Crump’swhimbystatutes,andchancellors,andhorse—guards。ThereisnofreaksoridiculousbutsomeEnglishmanhasattemptedtoimmortalizebymoneyandlaw。

  BritishcitizenshipisasomnipotentasRomanwas。Mr。Cockayneisverysensibleofthis。Thepursymanmeansbyfreedomtherighttodoashepleases,anddoeswronginordertofeelhisfreedom,andmakesaconscienceofpersistinginit。

  Heisintenselypatriotic,forhiscountryissosmall。Hisconfidenceinthepowerandperformanceofhisnationmakeshimprovokinglyincuriousaboutothernations。Hedislikesforeigners。

  Swedenborg,wholivedmuchinEngland,notes\"thesimilitudeofmindsamongtheEnglish,inconsequenceofwhichtheycontractfamiliaritywithfriendswhoareofthatnation,andseldomwithothers:andtheyregardforeigners,asonelookingthroughatelescopefromthetopofapalaceregardsthosewhodwellorwanderaboutoutofthecity。\"A

  mucholdertraveller,theVenetianwhowrotethe\"RelationofEngland,\"(*1)in1500,says:——\"TheEnglisharegreatloversofthemselves,andofeverythingbelongingtothem。Theythinkthattherearenoothermenthanthemselves,andnootherworldbutEngland;and,whenevertheyseeahandsomeforeigner,theysaythathelookslikeanEnglishman,anditisagreatpityheshouldnotbeanEnglishman;andwhenevertheypartakeofanydelicacywithaforeigner,theyaskhimwhethersuchathingismadeinhiscountry。\"

  Whenheaddsepithetsofpraise,hisclimaxis\"soEnglish;\"andwhenhewishestopayyouthehighestcompliment,hesays,IshouldnotknowyoufromanEnglishman。Franceis,byitsnaturalcontrast,akindofblackboardonwhichEnglishcharacterdrawsitsowntraitsinchalk。ThisarrogancehabituallyexhibitsitselfinallusionstotheFrench。IsupposethatallmenofEnglishbloodinAmerica,Europe,orAsia,haveasecretfeelingofjoythattheyarenotFrenchnatives。Mr。ColeridgeissaidtohavegivenpublicthankstoGod,atthecloseofalecture,thathehaddefendedhimfrombeingabletoutterasinglesentenceintheFrenchlanguage。IhavefoundthatEnglishmenhavesuchagoodopinionofEngland,thattheordinaryphrases,inallgoodsociety,ofpostponingordisparagingone’sownthingsintalkingwithastranger,areseriouslymistakenbythemforaninsuppressiblehomagetothemeritsoftheirnation;andtheNewYorkerorPennsylvanianwhomodestlylamentsthedisadvantageofanewcountry,log—huts,andsavages,issurprisedbytheinstantandunfeignedcommiserationofthewholecompany,whoplainlyaccountalltheworldoutofEnglandaheapofrubbish。

  (*1)PrintedbytheCamdenSociety。

  Thesameinsularlimitationpincheshisforeignpolitics。Hestickstohistraditionsandusages,and,sohelphimGod!hewillforcehisislandby—lawsdownthethroatofgreatcountries,likeIndia,China,Canada,Australia,andnotonlyso,butimposeWappingontheCongressofVienna,andtrampledownallnationalitieswithhistaxedboots。LordChathamgoesforliberty,andnotaxationwithoutrepresentation;——forthatisBritishlaw;butnotahobnailshalltheydaremakeinAmerica,butbuytheirnailsinEngland,——

  forthatalsoisBritishlaw;andthefactthatBritishcommercewastoberecreatedbytheindependenceofAmerica,tookthemallbysurprise。

  Inshort,IamafraidthatEnglishnatureissorankandaggressiveastobealittleincompatiblewitheveryother。Theworldisnotwideenoughfortwo。

  But,beyondthisnationality,itmustbeadmitted,theislandoffersadailyworshiptotheoldNorsegodBrage,celebratedamongourScandinavianforefathers,forhiseloquenceandmajesticair。

  TheEnglishhaveasteadycourage,thatfitsthemforgreatattemptsandendurance:theyhavealsoapettycourage,throughwhicheverymandelightsinshowinghimselfforwhatheis,andindoingwhathecan;sothat,inallcompanies,eachofthemhastoogoodanopinionofhimselftoimitateanybody。Hehidesnodefectofhisform,features,dress,connection,orbirthplace,forhethinkseverycircumstancebelongingtohimcomesrecommendedtoyou。Ifoneofthemhaveabald,orared,oragreenhead,orbowlegs,orascar,ormark,orapaunch,orasqueakingoraravenvoice,hehaspersuadedhimselfthatthereissomethingmodishandbecominginit,andthatitsitswellonhim。

  Butnaturemakesnothinginvain,andthislittlesuperfluityofself—regardintheEnglishbrain,isoneofthesecretsoftheirpowerandhistory。For,itsetseverymanonbeinganddoingwhathereallyisandcan。Ittakesawayadodging,skulking,secondaryair,andencouragesafrankandmanlybearing,sothateachmanmakesthemostofhimself,andlosesnoopportunityforwantofpushing。A

  man’spersonaldefectswillcommonlyhavewiththerestoftheworld,preciselythatimportancewhichtheyhavetohimself。Ifhemakeslightofthem,sowillothermen。Weallfindintheseaconvenientmeterofcharacter,sincealittlemanwouldberuinedbythevexation。Irememberashrewdpolitician,inoneofourwesterncities,toldme,\"thathehadknownseveralsuccessfulstatesmenmadebytheirfoible。\"Andanother,anex—governorofIllinois,saidtome,\"Ifamanknewanything,hewouldsitinacornerandbemodest;

  butheissuchanignorantpeacock,thathegoesbustlingupanddown,andhitsonextraordinarydiscoveries。\"

  Thereisalsothisbenefitinbrag,thatthespeakerisunconsciouslyexpressinghisownideal。Humorhimbyallmeans,drawitallout,andholdhimtoit。TheirculturegenerallyenablesthetravelledEnglishtoavoidanyridiculousextremesofthisself—pleasing,andtogiveitanagreeableair。ThenthenaturaldispositionisfosteredbytherespectwhichtheyfindentertainedintheworldforEnglishability。ItwassaidofLouisXIV。,thathisgaitandairwerebecomingenoughinsogreatamonarch,yetwouldhavebeenridiculousinanotherman;sotheprestigeoftheEnglishnamewarrantsacertainconfidentbearing,whichaFrenchmanorBelgiancouldnotcarry。Atallevents,theyfeelthemselvesatlibertytoassumethemostextraordinarytoneonthesubjectofEnglishmerits。

  AnEnglishladyontheRhinehearingaGermanspeakingofherpartyasforeigners,exclaimed,\"No,wearenotforeigners;weareEnglish;itisyouthatareforeigners。\"Theytellyoudaily,inLondon,thestoryoftheFrenchmanandEnglishmanwhoquarrelled。

  Bothwereunwillingtofight,buttheircompanionsputthemuptoit:

  atlast,itwasagreed,thattheyshouldfightalone,inthedark,andwithpistols:thecandleswereputout,andtheEnglishman,tomakesurenottohitanybody,firedupthechimney,andbroughtdowntheFrenchman。Theyhavenocuriosityaboutforeigners,andansweranyinformationyoumayvolunteerwith\"Oh,Oh!\"untiltheinformantmakesuphismind,thattheyshalldieintheirignorance,foranyhelphewilloffer。Therearereallynolimitstothisconceit,thoughbrightermenamongthemmakepainfuleffortstobecandid。

  Thehabitofbragrunsthroughallclasses,fromtheTimesnewspaperthroughpoliticiansandpoets,throughWordsworth,Carlyle,Mill,andSydneySmith,downtotheboysofEton。Inthegravesttreatiseonpoliticaleconomy,inaphilosophicalessay,inbooksofscience,oneissurprisedbythemostinnocentexhibitionofunflinchingnationality。InatractonCorn,amostamiableandaccomplishedgentlemanwritesthus:——\"ThoughBritain,accordingtoBishopBerkeley’sidea,weresurroundedbyawallofbrasstenthousandcubitsinheight,stillshewouldasfarexceltherestoftheglobeinriches,asshenowdoes,bothinthissecondaryquality,andinthemoreimportantonesoffreedom,virtue,andscience。\"

  (*2)

  (*2)WilliamSpence。

  TheEnglishdisliketheAmericanstructureofsociety,whilstyettrade,mills,publiceducation,andchartismaredoingwhattheycantocreateinEnglandthesamesocialcondition。Americaistheparadiseoftheeconomists;isthefavorableexceptioninvariablyquotedtotherulesofruin;butwhenhespeaksdirectlyoftheAmericans,theislanderforgetshisphilosophy,andremembershisdisparaginganecdotes。

  Butthischildishpatriotismcostssomething,likeallnarrowness。TheEnglishswayoftheircolonieshasnorootofkindness。Theygovernbytheirartsandability;theyaremorejustthankind;and,wheneveranabatementoftheirpowerisfelt,theyhavenotconciliatedtheaffectiononwhichtorely。

  Coarselocaldistinctions,asthoseofnation,province,ortown,areusefulintheabsenceofrealones;butwemustnotinsistontheseaccidentallines。Individualtraitsarealwaystriumphingovernationalones。ThereisnofenceinmetaphysicsdiscriminatingGreek,orEnglish,orSpanishscience。Aesop,andMontaigne,Cervantes,andSaadiaremenoftheworld;andtowaveourownflagatthedinnertableorintheUniversity,istocarrytheboisterousdulnessofafire—clubintoapolitecircle。Natureanddestinyarealwaysonthewatchforourfollies。Naturetripsusupwhenwestrut;andtherearecuriousexamplesinhistoryonthisverypointofnationalpride。

  GeorgeofCappadocia,bornatEpiphaniainCilicia,wasalowparasite,whogotalucrativecontracttosupplythearmywithbacon。

  Arogueandinformer,hegotrich,andwasforcedtorunfromjustice。Hesavedhismoney,embracedArianism,collectedalibrary,andgotpromotedbyafactiontotheepiscopalthroneofAlexandria。

  WhenJuliancame,A。D。361,Georgewasdraggedtoprison;theprisonwasburstopenbythemob,andGeorgewaslynched,ashedeserved。

  Andthispreciousknavebecame,ingoodtime,SaintGeorgeofEngland,patronofchivalry,emblemofvictoryandcivility,andtheprideofthebestbloodofthemodernworld。

  Strange,thatthesolidtruth—speakingBritonshouldderivefromanimpostor。Strange,thattheNewWorldshouldhavenobetterluck,——thatbroadAmericamustwearthenameofathief。AmerigoVespucci,thepickledealeratSeville,whowentout,in1499,asubalternwithHojeda,andwhosehighestnavalrankwasboatswain’smateinanexpeditionthatneversailed,managedinthislyingworldtosupplantColumbus,andbaptizehalftheearthwithhisowndishonestname。Thusnobodycanthrowstones。Weareequallybadlyoffinourfounders;andthefalsepickledealerisanoffsettothefalsebacon—seller。

  ChapterX_Wealth_

  Thereisnocountryinwhichsoabsoluteahomageispaidtowealth。InAmerica,thereisatohofshamewhenamanexhibitstheevidencesoflargeproperty,asif,afterall,itneededapology。

  ButtheEnglishmanhaspureprideinhiswealth,andesteemsitafinalcertificate。AcoarselogicrulesthroughoutallEnglishsouls;——ifyouhavemerit,canyounotshowitbyyourgoodclothes,andcoach,andhorses?Howcanamanbeagentlemanwithoutapipeofwine?Haydonsays,\"thereisafierceresolutiontomakeeverymanliveaccordingtothemeanshepossesses。\"Thereisamixtureofreligioninit。TheyareundertheJewishlaw,andreadwithsonorousemphasisthattheirdaysshallbelongintheland,theyshallhavesonsanddaughters,flocksandherds,wineandoil。

  Inexactproportion,isthereproachofpoverty。Theydonotwishtoberepresentedexceptbyopulentmen。AnEnglishmanwhohaslosthisfortune,issaidtohavediedofabrokenheart。Thelasttermofinsultis,\"abeggar。\"Nelsonsaid,\"thewantoffortuneisacrimewhichIcannevergetover。\"SydneySmithsaid,\"povertyisinfamousinEngland。\"Andoneoftheirrecentwritersspeaks,inreferencetoaprivateandscholasticlife,of\"thegravemoraldeteriorationwhichfollowsanemptyexchequer。\"Youshallfindthissentiment,ifnotsofranklyput,yetdeeplyimplied,inthenovelsandromancesofthepresentcentury,andnotonlyinthese,butinbiography,andinthevotesofpublicassemblies,inthetoneofthepreaching,andinthetable—talk。

  IwaslatelyturningoverWood’s_AthenaeOxonienses_,andlookingnaturallyforanotherstandardinachronicleofthescholarsofOxfordfortwohundredyears。ButIfoundthetwodisgracesinthat,asinmostEnglishbooks,are,first,disloyaltytoChurchandState,and,second,tobebornpoor,ortocometopoverty。A

  naturalfruitofEnglandisthebrutalpoliticaleconomy。Malthusfindsnocoverlaidatnature’stableforthelaborer’sson。In1809,themajorityinParliamentexpresseditselfbythelanguageofMr。FullerintheHouseofCommons,\"ifyoudonotlikethecountry,damnyou,youcanleaveit。\"WhenSirS。Romillyproposedhisbillforbiddingparishofficerstobindchildrenapprenticesatagreaterdistancethanfortymilesfromtheirhome,Peelopposed,andMr。

  Wortleysaid,\"though,inthehigherranks,tocultivatefamilyaffectionswasagoodthing,’twasnotsoamongthelowerorders。

  Bettertakethemawayfromthosewhomightdepravethem。Anditwashighlyinjurioustotradetostopbindingtomanufacturers,asitmustraisethepriceoflabor,andofmanufacturedgoods。\"

  TherespectfortruthoffactsinEngland,isequalledonlybytherespectforwealth。ItisatoncetheprideofartoftheSaxon,asheisawealth—maker,andhispassionforindependence。TheEnglishmanbelievesthateverymanmusttakecareofhimself,andhashimselftothank,ifhedonotmendhiscondition。Topaytheirdebtsistheirnationalpointofhonor。FromtheExchequerandtheEastIndiaHousetothehuckster’sshop,everythingprospers,becauseitissolvent。TheBritisharmiesaresolvent,andpayforwhattheytake。TheBritishempireissolvent;for,inspiteofthehugenationaldebt,thevaluationmounts。Duringthewarfrom1789

  to1815,whilsttheycomplainedthattheyweretaxedwithinaninchoftheirlives,and,bydintofenormoustaxes,weresubsidizingallthecontinentagainstFrance,theEnglishweregrowingricheveryyearfasterthananypeopleevergrewbefore。Itistheirmaxim,thattheweightoftaxesmustbecalculatednotbywhatistaken,butbywhatisleft。SolvencyisintheideasandmechanismofanEnglishman。TheCrystalPalaceisnotconsideredhonestuntilitpays;——nomatterhowmuchconvenience,beauty,oreclat,itmustbeself—supporting。Theyarecontentedwithslowersteamers,aslongastheyknowthatswifterboatslosemoney。Theyproceedlogicallybythedoublemethodoflaborandthrift。Everyhouseholdexhibitsanexacteconomy,andnothingofthatuncalculatedheadlongexpenditurewhichfamiliesuseinAmerica。Iftheycannotpay,theydonotbuy;

  fortheyhavenopresumptionofbetterfortunesnextyear,asourpeoplehave;andtheysaywithoutshame,Icannotaffordit。

  Gentlemendonothesitatetorideinthesecond—classcars,orinthesecondcabin。Aneconomist,oramanwhocanproportionhismeansandhisambition,orbringtheyearroundwithexpenditurewhichexpresseshischaracter,withoutembarrassingonedayofhisfuture,isalreadyamasteroflife,andafreeman。LordBurleighwritestohisson,\"thatoneoughtnevertodevotemorethantwothirdsofhisincometotheordinaryexpensesoflife,sincetheextraordinarywillbecertaintoabsorbtheotherthird。\"

  Theambitiontocreatevalueevokeseverykindofability,governmentbecomesamanufacturingcorporation,andeveryhouseamill。Theheadlongbiastoutilitywillletnotalentlieinanapkin,——ifpossible,willteachspiderstoweavesilkstockings。

  AnEnglishman,whileheeatsanddrinksnomore,ornotmuchmorethananotherman,laborsthreetimesasmanyhoursinthecourseofayear,asanyotherEuropean;or,hislifeasaworkmanisthreelives。Heworksfast。EverythinginEnglandisataquickpace。

  Theyhavereinforcedtheirownproductivity,bythecreationofthatmarvellousmachinerywhichdifferencesthisagefromanyotherage。

  ’Tisacuriouschapterinmodernhistory,thegrowthofthemachine—shop。Sixhundredyearsago,RogerBaconexplainedtheprecessionoftheequinoxes,theconsequentnecessityofthereformofthecalendar;

  measuredthelengthoftheyear,inventedgunpowder;andannounced,(asiflookingfromhisloftycell,overfivecenturies,intoours,)\"thatmachinescanbeconstructedtodriveshipsmorerapidlythanawholegalleyofrowerscoulddo;norwouldtheyneedanythingbutapilottosteerthem。Carriagesalsomightbeconstructedtomovewithanincrediblespeed,withouttheaidofanyanimal。Finally,itwouldnotbeimpossibletomakemachines,which,bymeansofasuitofwings,shouldflyintheairinthemannerofbirds。\"

  ButthesecretsleptwithBacon。Thesixhundredyearshavenotyetfulfilledhiswords。Twocenturiesago,thesawingoftimberwasdonebyhand;thecarriagewheelsranonwoodenaxles;thelandwastilledbywoodenploughs。Anditwastolittlepurpose,thattheyhadpit—coal,orthatloomswereimproved,unlessWattandStephensonhadtaughtthemtoworkforce—pumpsandpower—looms,bysteam。Thegreatstrideswerealltakenwithinthelasthundredyears。TheLifeofSirRobertPeel,whodied,theotherday,themodelEnglishman,veryproperlyhas,forafrontispieceadrawingofthespinning—jenny,whichwovethewebofhisfortunes。Hargreavesinventedthespinning—jenny,anddiedinaworkhouse。Arkwrightimprovedtheinvention;

  andthemachinedispensedwiththeworkofninety—ninemen:thatis,onespinnercoulddoasmuchworkasonehundredhaddonebefore。Theloomwasimprovedfurther。Butthemenwouldsometimesstrikeforwages,andcombineagainstthemasters,and,about1829—30,muchfearwasfelt,lestthetradewouldbedrawnawaybytheseinterruptions,andtheemigrationofthespinners,toBelgiumandtheUnitedStates。Ironandsteelareveryobedient。Whetheritwerenotpossibletomakeaspinnerthatwouldnotrebel,normutter,norscowl,norstrikeforwages,noremigrate?Atthesolicitationofthemasters,afteramobandriotatStaleyBridge,Mr。

  RobertsofManchesterundertooktocreatethispeacefulfellow,insteadofthequarrelsomefellowGodhadmade。Afterafewtrials,hesucceeded,and,in1830,procuredapatentforhisself—actingmule;acreation,thedelightofmill—owners,and\"destined,\"theysaid,\"torestoreorderamongtheindustriousclasses\";amachinerequiringonlyachild’shandtopiecethebrokenyarns。AsArkwrighthaddestroyeddomesticspinning,soRobertsdestroyedthefactoryspinner。ThepowerofmachineryinGreatBritain,inmills,hasbeencomputedtobeequalto600,000,000men,onemanbeingablebytheaidofsteamtodotheworkwhichrequiredtwohundredandfiftymentoaccomplishfiftyyearsago。Theproductionhasbeencommensurate。

  Englandalreadyhadthislaboriousrace,richsoil,water,wood,coal,iron,andfavorableclimate。Eighthundredyearsago,commercehadmadeitrich,anditwasrecorded,\"Englandistherichestofallthenorthernnations。\"

  TheNormanhistoriansrecite,that\"in1067,WilliamcarriedwithhimintoNormandy,fromEngland,moregoldandsilverthanhadeverbeforebeenseeninGaul。\"Butwhen,tothislaborandtrade,andthesenativeresourceswasaddedthisgoblinofsteam,withhismyriadarms,nevertired,workingnightanddayeverlastingly,theamassingofpropertyhasrunoutofallfigures。

  Itmakesthemotorofthelastninetyyears。ThesteampipehasaddedtoherpopulationandwealththeequivalentoffourorfiveEnglands。FortythousandshipsareenteredinLloyd’slists。Theyieldofwheathasgoneonfrom2,000,000quartersinthetimeoftheStuarts,to13,000,000in1854。A

  thousandmillionofpoundssterlingaresaidtocomposethefloatingmoneyofcommerce。In1848,LordJohnRussellstatedthatthepeopleofthiscountryhadlaidout300,000,000poundsofcapitalinrailways,inthelastfouryears。Butabettermeasurethanthesesoundingfigures,istheestimate,thatthereiswealthenoughinEnglandtosupporttheentirepopulationinidlenessforoneyear。

  Thewise,versatile,all—givingmachinerymakeschisels,roads,locomotives,telegraphs。Whitworthdividesabartoamillionthofaninch。Steamtwineshugecannonintowreaths,aseasilyasitbraidsstraw,andvieswiththevolcanicforceswhichtwistedthestrata。Itcanclotheshinglemountainswithship—oaks,makesword—bladesthatwillcutgun—barrelsintwo。InEgypt,itcanplantforests,andbringrainafterthreethousandyears。Alreadyitisrudderingtheballoon,andthenextwarwillbefoughtintheair。

  ButanothermachinemorepotentinEnglandthansteam,istheBank。

  Itvotesanissueofbills,populationisstimulated,andcitiesrise;itrefusesloans,andemigrationemptiesthecountry;tradesinks;revolutionsbreakout;kingsaredethroned。Bythesenewagentsoursocialsystemismoulded。Bydintofsteamandofmoney,warandcommercearechanged。Nationshavelosttheiroldomnipotence;thepatriotictiedoesnothold。Nationsaregettingobsolete,wegoandlivewherewewill。Steamhasenabledmentochoosewhatlawtheywillliveunder。Moneymakesplaceforthem。

  Thetelegraphisalimp—bandthatwillholdtheFenris—wolfofwar。

  Fornow,thatatelegraphlinerunsthroughFranceandEurope,fromLondon,everymessageittransmitsmakesstrongerbyonethread,thebandwhichwarwillhavetocut。

  Theintroductionoftheseelementsgivesnewresourcestoexistingproprietors。AsportingdukemayfancythatthestatedependsontheHouseofLords,buttheengineersees,thateverystrokeofthesteam—pistongivesvaluetotheduke’sland,fillsitwithtenants;doubles,quadruples,centuplestheduke’scapital,andcreatesnewmeasuresandnewnecessitiesforthecultureofhischildren。Ofcourse,itdrawsthenobilityintothecompetitionasstockholdersinthemine,thecanal,therailway,intheapplicationofsteamtoagriculture,andsometimesintotrade。Butitalsointroduceslargeclassesintothesamecompetition;theoldenergyoftheNorseracearmsitselfwiththesemagnificentpowers;newmenproveanover—matchfortheland—owner,andthemillbuysoutthecastle。ScandinavianThor,whoonceforgedhisboltsinicyHecla,andbuiltgalleysbylonelyfiords;inEngland,hasadvancedwiththetimes,hasshornhisbeard,entersParliament,sitsdownatadeskintheIndiaHouse,andlendsMiollnirtoBirminghamforasteam—hammer。

  ThecreationofwealthinEnglandinthelastninetyyears,isamainfactinmodernhistory。ThewealthofLondondeterminespricesallovertheglobe。Allthingsprecious,oruseful,oramusing,orintoxicating,aresuckedintothiscommerceandfloatedtoLondon。SomeEnglishprivatefortunesreach,andsomeexceedamillionofdollarsayear。Ahundredthousandpalacesadorntheisland。Allthatcanfeedthesensesandpassions,allthatcansuccorthetalent,orarmthehandsoftheintelligentmiddleclass,whoneverspareinwhattheybuyfortheirownconsumption;allthatcanaidscience,gratifytaste,orsoothecomfort,isinopenmarket。

  Whateverisexcellentandbeautifulincivil,rural,orecclesiasticarchitecture;infountain,garden,orgrounds;theEnglishnoblecrossesseaandlandtoseeandtocopyathome。Thetasteandscienceofthirtypeacefulgenerations;thegardenswhichEvelynplanted;thetemplesandpleasure—houseswhichInigoJonesandChristopherWrenbuilt;thewoodthatGibbonscarved;thetasteofforeignanddomesticartists,Shenstone,Pope,Brown,Loudon,Paxton,areinthevastauction,andthehereditaryprincipleheapsontheownerofto—daythebenefitofagesofowners。Thepresentpossessorsaretothefullasabsoluteasanyoftheirfathers,inchoosingandprocuringwhattheylike。Thiscomfortandsplendor,thebreadthoflakeandmountain,tillage,pasture,andpark,sumptuouscastleandmodernvilla,——allconsistwithperfectorder。

  Theyhavenorevolutions;nohorse—guardsdictatingtothecrown;noParisian_poissardes_andbarricades;nomob:butdrowsyhabitude,dailydress—dinners,wine,andale,andbeer,andgin,andsleep。

  Withthispowerofcreation,andthispassionforindependence,propertyhasreachedanidealperfection。Itisfeltandtreatedasthenationallife—blood。Thelawsareframedtogivepropertythesecurestpossiblebasis,andtheprovisionstolockandtransmitithaveexercisedthecunningestheadsinaprofessionwhichneveradmitsafool。Therightsofpropertynothingbutfelonyandtreasoncanoverride。Thehouseisacastlewhichthekingcannotenter。

  TheBankisastrongboxtowhichthekinghasnokey。Whateversurlysweetnesspossessioncangive,istestedinEnglandtothedregs。Vestedrightsareawfulthings,andabsolutepossessiongivesthesmallestfreeholderidentityofinterestwiththeduke。Highstonefences,andpadlockedgarden—gatesannouncetheabsolutewilloftheownertobealone。Everywhimofexaggeratedegotismisputintostoneandiron,intosilverandgold,withcostlydeliberationanddetail。

  AnEnglishmanhearsthattheQueenDowagerwishestoestablishsomeclaimtoputherparkpalingarodforwardintohisgrounds,soastogetacoachway,andsaveheramiletotheavenue。Instantlyhetransformshispalingintostone—masonry,solidasthewallsofCuma,andallEuropecannotprevailonhimtosellorcompoundforaninchoftheland。Theydelightinafreakastheproofoftheirsovereignfreedom。SirEdwardBoynton,atSpicPark,atCadenham,onaprecipiceofincomparableprospect,builtahouselikealongbarn,whichhadnotawindowontheprospectside。StrawberryHillofHoraceWalpole,FonthillAbbeyofMr。Beckford,werefreaks;andNewsteadAbbeybecameoneinthehandsofLordByron。

  Buttheproudestresultofthiscreationhasbeenthegreatandrefinedforcesithasputatthedisposaloftheprivatecitizen。Inthesocialworld,anEnglishmanto—dayhasthebestlot。Heisakinginaplaincoat。Hegoeswiththemostpowerfulprotection,keepsthebestcompany,isarmedbythebesteducation,issecondedbywealth;andhisEnglishnameandaccidentsarelikeaflourishoftrumpetsannouncinghim。This,withhisquietstyleofmanners,giveshimthepowerofasovereign,withouttheinconvenienceswhichbelongtothatrank。ImuchprefertheconditionofanEnglishgentlemanofthebetterclass,tothatofanypotentateinEurope,——

  whetherfortravel,orforopportunityofsociety,orforaccesstomeansofscienceorstudy,orformerecomfortandeasyhealthyrelationtopeopleathome。

  SuchaswehaveseenisthewealthofEngland,amightymass,andmadegoodinwhateverdetailswecaretoexplore。Thecauseandspringofitisthewealthoftemperamentinthepeople。ThewonderofBritainisthisplenteousnature。Herworthiesareeversurroundedbyasgoodmenasthemselves;eachisacaptainahundredstrong,andthatwealthofmenisrepresentedagaininthefacultyofeachindividual,——thathehaswastestrength,powertospare。TheEnglisharesorich,andseemtohaveestablishedatap—rootinthebowelsoftheplanet,becausetheyareconstitutionallyfertileandcreative。

  Butamanmustkeepaneyeonhisservants,ifhewouldnothavethemrulehim。Manisashrewdinventor,andisevertakingthehintofanewmachinefromhisownstructure,adaptingsomesecretofhisownanatomyiniron,wood,andleather,tosomerequiredfunctionintheworkoftheworld。Butitisfoundthatthemachineunmanstheuser。Whathegainsinmakingcloth,helosesingeneralpower。

  Thereshouldbetemperanceinmakingcloth,aswellasineating。A

  manshouldnotbeasilk—worm;noranationatentofcaterpillars。

  TherobustruralSaxondegeneratesinthemillstotheLeicesterstockinger,totheimbecileManchesterspinner,——faronthewaytobespidersandneedles。Theincessantrepetitionofthesamehand—workdwarfstheman,robshimofhisstrength,wit,andversatility,tomakeapin—polisher,abuckle—maker,oranyotherspecialty;andpresently,inachangeofindustry,wholetownsaresacrificedlikeant—hills,whenthefashionofshoe—stringssupersedesbuckles,whencottontakestheplaceoflinen,orrailwaysofturnpikes,orwhencommonsareinclosedbylandlords。Thensocietyisadmonishedofthemischiefofthedivisionoflabor,andthatthebestpoliticaleconomyiscareandcultureofmen;for,inthesecrises,allareruinedexceptsuchasareproperindividuals,capableofthought,andofnewchoiceandtheapplicationoftheirtalenttonewlabor。Thenagaincomeinnewcalamities。Englandisaghastatthedisclosureofherfraudintheadulterationoffood,ofdrugs,andofalmosteveryfabricinhermillsandshops;findingthatmilkwillnotnourish,norsugarsweeten,norbreadsatisfy,norpepperbitethetongue,norgluestick。IntrueEnglandallisfalseandforged。Thistooisthereactionofmachinery,butofthelargermachineryofcommerce。’Tisnot,Isuppose,wantofprobity,somuchasthetyrannyoftrade,whichnecessitatesaperpetualcompetitionofunderselling,andthatagainaperpetualdeteriorationofthefabric。

  Themachineryhasproved,liketheballoon,unmanageable,andfliesawaywiththeaeronaut。Steam,fromthefirst,hissedandscreamedtowarnhim;itwasdreadfulwithitsexplosion,andcrushedtheengineer。Themachinisthaswroughtandwatched,engineersandfiremenwithoutnumberhavebeensacrificedinlearningtotameandguidethemonster。ButharderstillithasprovedtoresistandrulethedragonMoney,withhispaperwings。ChancellorsandBoardsofTrade,Pitt,Peel,andRobinson,andtheirParliaments,andtheirwholegeneration,adoptedfalseprinciples,andwenttotheirgravesinthebeliefthattheywereenrichingthecountrywhichtheywereimpoverishing。Theycongratulatedeachotheronruinousexpedients。

  Itisraretofindamerchantwhoknowswhyacrisisoccursintrade,whypricesriseorfall,orwhoknowsthemischiefofpapermoney。

  Intheculminationofnationalprosperity,intheannexationofcountries;buildingofships,depots,towns;intheinfluxoftonsofgoldandsilver;amidthechuckleofchancellorsandfinanciers,itwasfoundthatbreadrosetofamineprices,thattheyeomanwasforcedtosellhiscowandpig,histools,andhisacreofland;andthedreadfulbarometerofthepoor—rateswastouchingthepointofruin。Thepoor—ratewassuckinginthesolventclasses,andforcinganexodusoffarmersandmechanics。Whatbefalsfromtheviolenceoffinancialcrises,befalsdailyintheviolenceofartificiallegislation。

  SuchawealthhasEnglandearned,evernew,bounteous,andaugmenting。Butthequestionrecurs,doesshetakethestepbeyond,namely,tothewiseuse,inviewofthesupremewealthofnations?

  Weestimatethewisdomofnationsbyseeingwhattheydidwiththeirsurpluscapital。And,inviewoftheseinjuries,somecompensationhasbeenattemptedinEngland。Apartofthemoneyearnedreturnstothebraintobuyschools,libraries,bishops,astronomers,chemists,andartistswith;andaparttorepairthewrongsofthisintemperateweaving,byhospitals,savings—banks,Mechanics’Institutes,publicgrounds,andothercharitiesandamenities。Buttheantidotesarefrightfullyinadequate,andtheevilrequiresadeepercure,whichtimeandasimplersocialorganizationmustsupply。Atpresent,shedoesnotruleherwealth。SheissimplyagoodEngland,butnodivinity,orwiseandinstructedsoul。Shetooisinthestreamoffate,onevictimmoreinacommoncatastrophe。

  Butbeinginthefault,shehasthemisfortuneofgreatnesstobeheldasthechiefoffender。Englandmustbeheldresponsibleforthedespotismofexpense。Herprosperity,thesplendorwhichsomuchmanhoodandtalentandperseverancehasthrownuponvulgaraims,istheveryargumentofmaterialism。Hersuccessstrengthensthehandsofbasewealth。Whocanproposetoyouthpovertyandwisdom,whenmeangainhasarrivedattheconquestoflettersandarts;whenEnglishsuccesshasgrownoutoftheveryrenunciationofprinciples,andthededicationtooutsides?Acivilityoftrifles,ofmoneyandexpense,aneruditionofsensationtakesplace,andtheputtingasmanyimpedimentsaswecan,betweenthemanandhisobjects。Hardlythebravestamongthemhavethemanlinesstoresistitsuccessfully。

  Hence,ithascome,thatnottheaimsofamanlylife,butthemeansofmeetingacertainponderousexpense,isthatwhichistobeconsideredbyayouthinEngland,emergingfromhisminority。A

  largefamilyisreckonedamisfortune。Anditisaconsolationinthedeathoftheyoung,thatasourceofexpenseisclosed。

  ChapterXI_Aristocracy_

  ThefeudalcharacteroftheEnglishstate,nowthatitisgettingobsolete,glaresalittle,incontrastwiththedemocratictendencies。Theinequalityofpowerandpropertyshocksrepublicannerves。Palaces,halls,villas,walledparks,alloverEngland,rivalthesplendorofroyalseats。Manyofthehalls,likeHaddon,orKedleston,arebeautifuldesolations。Theproprietorneversawthem,orneverlivedinthem。Primogeniturebuiltthesesumptuouspiles,and,Isuppose,itisthesentimentofeverytraveller,asitwasmine,’Twaswelltocomeeretheseweregone。PrimogenitureisacardinalruleofEnglishpropertyandinstitutions。Laws,customs,manners,theverypersonsandfaces,affirmit。

  Theframeofsocietyisaristocratic,thetasteofthepeopleisloyal。Theestates,names,andmannersofthenoblesflatterthefancyofthepeople,andconciliatethenecessarysupport。Inspiteofbrokenfaith,stolencharters,andthedevastationofsocietybytheprofligacyofthecourt,wetakesidesaswereadfortheloyalEnglandandKingCharles’s\"returntohisright\"withhisCavaliers,——knowingwhataheartlesstriflerheis,andwhatacrewofGod—forsakenrobberstheyare。ThepeopleofEnglandknewasmuch。

  Butthefairideaofasettledgovernmentconnectingitselfwithheraldicnames,withthewrittenandoralhistoryofEurope,and,atlast,withtheHebrewreligion,andtheoldesttraditionsoftheworld,wastoopleasingavisiontobeshatteredbyafewoffensiverealities,andthepoliticsofshoemakersandcostermongers。Thehopesofthecommonerstakethesamedirectionwiththeinterestofthepatricians。Everymanwhobecomesrichbuysland,anddoeswhathecantofortifythenobility,intowhichhehopestorise。TheAnglicanclergyareidentifiedwiththearistocracy。Timeandlawhavemadethejoiningandmouldingperfectineverypart。TheCathedrals,theUniversities,thenationalmusic,thepopularromances,conspiretoupholdtheheraldry,whichthecurrentpoliticsofthedayaresapping。Thetasteofthepeopleisconservative。

  Theyareproudofthecastles,andofthelanguageandsymbolofchivalry。Eventhewordlordistheluckieststylethatisusedinanylanguagetodesignateapatrician。Thesuperioreducationandmannersofthenoblesrecommendthemtothecountry。

  TheNorwegianpirategotwhathecould,andhelditforhiseldestson。TheNormannoble,whowastheNorwegianpiratebaptized,didlikewise。Therewasthisadvantageofwesternoverorientalnobility,thatthiswasrecruitedfrombelow。Englishhistoryisaristocracywiththedoorsopen。Whohascourageandfaculty,lethimcomein。Ofcourse,thetermsofadmissiontothisclubarehardandhigh。Theselfishnessofthenoblescomesinaidoftheinterestofthenationtorequiresignalmerit。Piracyandwargaveplacetotrade,politics,andletters;thewar—lordtothelaw—lord;thelaw—lordtothemerchantandthemill—owner;buttheprivilegewaskept,whilstthemeansofobtainingitwerechanged。

  ThefoundationsofthesefamiliesliedeepinNorwegianexploitsbysea,andSaxonsturdinessonland。Allnobilityinitsbeginningswassomebody’snaturalsuperiority。ThethingstheseEnglishhavedonewerenotdonewithoutperiloflife,norwithoutwisdomandconduct;andthefirsthands,itmaybepresumed,wereoftenchallengedtoshowtheirrighttotheirhonors,oryieldthemtobettermen。\"Hethatwillbeahead,lethimbeabridge,\"saidtheWelshchiefBenegridran,whenhecarriedallhismenovertheriveronhisback。\"Heshallhavethebook,\"saidthemotherofAlfred,\"whocanreadit;\"andAlfredwonitbythattitle:andI

  makenodoubtthatfeudaltenurewasnosinecure,butbaron,knight,andtenant,oftenhadtheirmemoriesrefreshed,inregardtotheservicebywhichtheyheldtheirlands。TheDeVeres,Bohuns,Mowbrays,andPlantagenetswerenotaddictedtocontemplation。Themiddleageadorneditselfwithproofsofmanhoodanddevotion。OfRichardBeauchamp,EarlofWarwick,theEmperortoldHenryV。thatnoChristiankinghadsuchanotherknightforwisdom,nurture,andmanhood,andcausedhimtobenamed,\"Fatherofcurtesie。\"\"OursuccessinFrance,\"saysthehistorian,\"livedanddiedwithhim。\"

  (*1)

  (*1)Fuller’sWorthies。II。p。472。

  Thewar—lordearnedhishonors,andnodonationoflandwaslarge,aslongasitbroughtthedutyofprotectingit,hourbyhour,againstaterribleenemy。InFranceandinEngland,thenobleswere,downtoalateday,bornandbredtowar:andtheduel,whichinpeacestillheldthemtotherisksofwar,diminishedtheenvythat,intradingandstudiousnations,wouldelsehavepriedintotheirtitle。Theywerelookedonasmenwhoplayedhighforagreatstake。

  Greatestatesarenotsinecures,iftheyaretobekeptgreat。

  Acreativeeconomyisthefuelofmagnificence。InthesamelineofWarwick,thesuccessornextbutonetoBeauchamp,wasthestoutearlofHenryVI。andEdwardIV。Fewesteemedthemselvesinthemode,whoseheadswerenotadornedwiththeblackraggedstaff,hisbadge。

  AthishouseinLondon,sixoxenweredailyeatenatabreakfast;andeverytavernwasfullofhismeat;andwhohadanyacquaintanceinhisfamily,shouldhaveasmuchboiledandroastashecouldcarryonalongdagger。

  Thenewagebringsnewqualitiesintorequest,thevirtuesofpiratesgavewaytothoseofplanters,merchants,senators,andscholars。Comity,socialtalent,andfinemanners,nodoubt,havehadtheirpartalso。Ihavemetsomewherewithahistoriette,which,whethermoreorlesstrueinitsparticulars,carriesageneraltruth。\"HowcametheDukeofBedfordbyhisgreatlandedestates?

  Hisancestorhavingtravelledonthecontinent,alively,pleasantman,becamethecompanionofaforeignprincewreckedontheDorsetshirecoast,whereMr。Russelllived。TheprincerecommendedhimtoHenryVIII。,who,likinghiscompany,gavehimalargeshareoftheplunderedchurchlands。\"

  ThepretenceisthatthenobleisofunbrokendescentfromtheNorman,andhasneverworkedforeighthundredyears。Butthefactisotherwise。WhereisBohun?whereisDeVere?Thelawyer,thefarmer,thesilkmercerlies_perdu_underthecoronet,andwinkstotheantiquarytosaynothing;especiallyskilfullawyers,nobody’ssons,whodidsomepieceofworkatanicemomentforgovernment,andwererewardedwithermine。

  ThenationaltastesoftheEnglishdonotleadthemtothelifeofthecourtier,buttosecurethecomfortandindependenceoftheirhomes。Thearistocracyaremarkedbytheirpredilectionforcountry—life。Theyarecalledthecounty—families。TheyhaveoftennoresidenceinLondon,andonlygothitherashorttime,duringtheseason,toseetheopera;buttheyconcentratetheloveandlaborofmanygenerationsonthebuilding,plantinganddecorationoftheirhomesteads。Someofthemaretoooldandtooproudtoweartitles,or,asSheridansaidofCoke,\"disdaintohidetheirheadinacoronet;\"andsomecuriousexamplesarecitedtoshowthestabilityofEnglishfamilies。Theirproverbis,that,fiftymilesfromLondon,afamilywilllastahundredyears;atahundredmiles,twohundredyears;andsoon;butIdoubtthatsteam,theenemyoftime,aswellasofspace,willdisturbtheseancientrules。SirHenryWottonsaysofthefirstDukeofBuckingham,\"HewasbornatBrookebyinLeicestershire,wherehisancestorshadchieflycontinuedaboutthespaceoffourhundredyears,ratherwithoutobscurity,thanwithanygreatlustre。\"(*2)Wraxallsays,that,in1781,LordSurrey,afterwardsDukeofNorfolk,toldhim,thatwhentheyear1783shouldarrive,hemeanttogiveagrandfestivaltoallthedescendantsofthebodyofJockeyofNorfolk,tomarkthedaywhenthedukedomshouldhaveremainedthreehundredyearsintheirhouse,sinceitscreationbyRichardIII。Pepystellsus,inwritingofanEarlOxford,in1666,thatthehonorhadnowremainedinthatnameandbloodsixhundredyears。

  (*2)ReliquiaeWottonianae,p。208。

  Thislongdescentoffamiliesandthiscleavingthroughagestothesamespotofgroundcaptivatestheimagination。Ithastooaconnectionwiththenamesofthetownsanddistrictsofthecountry。

  Thenamesareexcellent,——anatmosphereoflegendarymelodyspreadovertheland。Olderthanallepicsandhistories,whichclotheanation,thisundershirtsitsclosetothebody。Whathistorytoo,andwhatstoresofprimitiveandsavageobservationitinfolds!CambridgeisthebridgeoftheCam;SheffieldthefieldoftheriverSheaf;Leicesterthe_castra_orcampoftheLearorLeir(nowSoar);Rochdale,oftheRoch;ExeterorExcester,the_castra_

  oftheEx;Exmouth,Dartmouth,Sidmouth,Teignmouth,themouthsoftheEx,Dart,Sid,andTeignrivers。Walthamisstrongtown;

  Radcliffeisredcliff;andsoon:——asincerityanduseinnamingverystrikingtoanAmerican,whosecountryiswhitewashedalloverbyunmeaningnames,thecast—offclothesofthecountryfromwhichitsemigrantscame;or,namedatapinchfromapsalm—tune。ButtheEnglisharethose\"barbarians\"ofJamblichus,who\"arestableintheirmanners,andfirmlycontinuetoemploythesamewords,whichalsoaredeartothegods。\"

  ’Tisanoldsneer,thattheIrishpeeragedrewtheirnamesfromplaybooks。TheEnglishlordsdonotcalltheirlandsaftertheirownnames,butcallthemselvesaftertheirlands;asifthemanrepresentedthecountrythatbredhim;andtheyrightlywearthetokenoftheglebethatgavethembirth;suggestingthatthetieisnotcut,butthatthereinLondon,——thecragsofArgyle,thekailofCornwall,thedownsofDevon,theironofWales,theclaysofStafford,areneitherforgettingnorforgotten,butknowthemanwhowasbornbythem,andwho,likethelonglineofhisfathers,hascarriedthatcrag,thatshore,dale,fen,orwoodland,inhisbloodandmanners。Ithas,too,theadvantageofsuggestingresponsibleness。AsusceptiblemancouldnotwearanamewhichrepresentedinastrictsenseacityoracountyofEngland,withouthearinginitachallengetodutyandhonor。

  Thepredilectionofthepatriciansforresidenceinthecountry,combinedwiththedegreeoflibertypossessedbythepeasant,makesthesafetyoftheEnglishhall。MirabeauwrotepropheticallyfromEngland,in1784,\"IfrevolutionbreakoutinFrance,Itrembleforthearistocracy:theirchateauxwillbereducedtoashes,andtheirbloodspiltintorrents。TheEnglishtenantwoulddefendhislordtothelastextremity。\"TheEnglishgototheirestatesforgrandeur。TheFrenchliveatcourt,andexilethemselvestotheirestatesforeconomy。Astheydonotmeantolivewiththeirtenants,theydonotconciliatethem,butwringfromthemthelastsous。EvelynwritesfromBlois,in1644,\"Thewolvesarehereinsuchnumbers,thattheyoftencomeandtakechildrenoutofthestreets:yetwillnottheDuke,whoissovereignhere,permitthemtobedestroyed。\"

  Inevidenceofthewealthamassedbyancientfamilies,thetravellerisshownthepalacesinPiccadilly,BurlingtonHouse,DevonshireHouse,LansdowneHouseinBerkshireSquare,and,lowerdowninthecity,afewnoblehouseswhichstillwithstandinalltheiramplitudetheencroachmentofstreets。TheDukeofBedfordincludesorincludedamilesquareintheheartofLondon,wheretheBritishMuseum,onceMontagueHouse,nowstands,andthelandoccupiedbyWoburnSquare,BedfordSquare,RussellSquare。TheMarquisofWestminsterbuiltwithinafewyearstheseriesofsquarescalledBelgravia。StaffordHouseisthenoblestpalaceinLondon。

  NorthumberlandHouseholdsitsplacebyCharingCross。ChesterfieldHouseremainsinAudleyStreet。SionHouseandHollandHouseareinthesuburbs。Butmostofthehistoricalhousesaremaskedorlostinthemodernusestowhichtradeorcharityhasconvertedthem。A

  multitudeoftownpalacescontaininestimablegalleriesofart。

  Inthecountry,thesizeofprivateestatesismoreimpressive。

  FromBarnardCastleIrodeonthehighwaytwenty—threemilesfromHighForce,afalloftheTees,towardsDarlington,pastRabyCastle,throughtheestateoftheDukeofCleveland。TheMarquisofBreadalbaneridesoutofhishouseahundredmilesinastraightlinetothesea,onhisownproperty。TheDukeofSutherlandownsthecountyofSutherland,stretchingacrossScotlandfromseatosea。

  TheDukeofDevonshire,besideshisotherestates,owns96,000acresintheCountyofDerby。TheDukeofRichmondhas40,000acresatGoodwood,and300,000atGordonCastle。TheDukeofNorfolk’sparkinSussexisfifteenmilesincircuit。AnagriculturistboughtlatelytheislandofLewes,inHebrides,containing500,000acres。

  ThepossessionsoftheEarlofLonsdalegavehimeightseatsinParliament。ThisistheHeptarchyagain:andbeforetheReformof1832,onehundredandfifty—fourpersonssentthreehundredandsevenmemberstoParliament。Theborough—mongersgovernedEngland。

  Theselargedomainsaregrowinglarger。Thegreatestatesareabsorbingthesmallfreeholds。In1786,thesoilofEnglandwasownedby250,000corporationsandproprietors;and,in1822,by32,000。Thesebroadestatesfindroominthisnarrowisland。AlloverEngland,scatteredatshortintervalsamongship—yards,mills,mines,andforges,aretheparadisesofthenobles,wherethelivelongreposeandrefinementareheightenedbythecontrastwiththeroarofindustryandnecessity,outofwhichyouhavesteppedaside。

  IwassurprisedtoobservetheverysmallattendanceusuallyintheHouseofLords。Outof573peers,onordinarydays,onlytwentyorthirty。Wherearethey?Iasked。\"Athomeontheirestates,devouredby_ennui_,orintheAlps,oruptheRhine,intheHarzMountains,orinEgypt,orinIndia,ontheGhauts。\"But,withsuchinterestsatstake,howcanthesemenaffordtoneglectthem?\"O,\"

  repliedmyfriend,\"whyshouldtheyworkforthemselves,wheneverymaninEnglandworksforthem,andwillsufferbeforetheycometoharm?\"Thehardestradicalinstantlyuncovers,andchangeshistonetoalord。Itwasremarked,onthe10thApril,1848,(thedayoftheChartistdemonstration,)thattheupperclasseswere,forthefirsttime,activelyinterestingthemselvesintheirowndefence,andmenofrankwereswornspecialconstables,withtherest。\"Besides,whyneedtheysitoutthedebate?HasnottheDukeofWellington,atthismoment,theirproxies,——theproxiesoffiftypeersinhispocket,tovoteforthem,iftherebeanemergency?\"

  Itishowevertrue,thattheexistenceoftheHouseofPeersasabranchofthegovernmententitlesthemtofillhalftheCabinet;

  andtheirweightofpropertyandstationgivethemavirtualnominationoftheotherhalf;whilsttheyhavetheirshareinthesubordinateoffices,asaschooloftraining。ThismonopolyofpoliticalpowerhasgiventhemtheirintellectualandsocialeminenceinEurope。Afewlawlordsandafewpoliticallordstakethebruntofpublicbusiness。Inthearmy,thenobilityfillalargepartofthehighcommissions,andgivetotheseatoneofexpenseandsplendor,andalsoofexclusiveness。Theyhavebornetheirfullshareofdutyanddangerinthisservice;andtherearefewnoblefamilieswhichhavenotpaidinsomeoftheirmembers,thedebtoflifeorlimb,inthesacrificesoftheRussianwar。Fortherest,thenobilityhavetheleadinmattersofstate,andofexpense;inquestionsoftaste,insocialusages,inconvivialanddomestichospitalities。Ingeneral,allthatisrequiredofthemistositsecurely,topresideatpublicmeetings,tocountenancecharities,andtogivetheexampleofthatdecorumsodeartotheBritishheart。

  Ifoneasks,inthecriticalspiritoftheday,whatservicethisclasshaverendered?——usesappear,ortheywouldhaveperishedlongago。Someoftheseareeasilyenumerated,othersmoresubtlemakeapartofunconscioushistory。Theirinstitutionisonestepintheprogressofsociety。Foraraceyieldsanobilityinsomeform,howeverwenamethelords,assurelyasityieldswomen。

  TheEnglishnoblesarehigh—spirited,active,educatedmen,borntowealthandpower,whohaverunthrougheverycountry,andkeptineverycountrythebestcompany,haveseeneverysecretofartandnature,and,whenmenofanyabilityorambition,havebeenconsultedintheconductofeveryimportantaction。Youcannotwieldgreatagencieswithoutlendingyourselftothem,and,whenithappensthatthespiritoftheearlmeetshisrankandduties,wehavethebestexamplesofbehavior。Powerofanykindreadilyappearsinthemanners;andbeneficentpower,_letalentdebienfaire_,givesamajestywhichcannotbeconcealedorresisted。

  Thesepeopleseemtogainasmuchastheylosebytheirposition。Theysurveysociety,asfromthetopofSt。Paul’s,and,iftheyneverhearplaintruthfrommen,theyseethebestofeverything,ineverykind,andtheyseethingssogroupedandamassedastoinfereasilythesumandgenius,insteadoftediousparticularities。Theirgoodbehaviordeservesallitsfame,andtheyhavethatsimplicity,andthatairofrepose,whicharethefinestornamentofgreatness。

  Theupperclasseshaveonlybirth,saythepeoplehere,andnotthoughts。Yes,buttheyhavemanners,and,’tiswonderful,howmuchtalentrunsintomanners:——nowhereandneversomuchasinEngland。

  Theyhavethesenseofsuperiority,theabsenceofalltheambitiouseffortwhichdisgustsintheaspiringclasses,apuretoneofthoughtandfeeling,andthepowertocommand,amongtheirotherluxuries,thepresenceofthemostaccomplishedmenintheirfestivemeetings。

  LoyaltyisintheEnglishasub—religion。Theywearthelawsasornaments,andwalkbytheirfaithintheirpaintedMay—Fair,asifamongtheformsofgods。Theeconomistof1855whoasks,ofwhatusearethelords?maylearnofFranklintoask,ofwhatuseisababy?Theyhavebeenasocialchurchpropertoinspiresentimentsmutuallyhonoringtheloverandtheloved。Politenessistheritualofsociety,asprayersareofthechurch;aschoolofmanners,andagentleblessingtotheageinwhichitgrew。’TisaromanceadorningEnglishlifewithalargerhorizon;amidwayheaven,fulfillingtotheirsensetheirfairytalesandpoetry。This,justasfarasthebreedingofthenoblemanreallymadehimbrave,handsome,accomplished,andgreat—hearted。

  Ongeneralgrounds,whatevertendstoformmanners,ortofinishmen,hasagreatvalue。Everyonewhohastastedthedelightoffriendship,willrespecteverysocialguardwhichourmannerscanestablish,tendingtosecurefromtheintrusionoffrivolousanddistastefulpeople。Thejealousyofeveryclasstoguarditself,isatestimonytotherealitytheyhavefoundinlife。Whenamanonceknowsthathehasdonejusticetohimself,lethimdismissallterrorsofaristocracyassuperstitions,sofarasheisconcerned。

  Hewhokeepsthedoorofamine,whetherofcobalt,ormercury,ornickel,orplumbago,securelyknowsthattheworldcannotdowithouthim。Everybodywhoisrealisopenandreadyforthatwhichisalsoreal。

  Besides,thesearetheywhomakeEnglandthatstrongboxandmuseumitis;whogatherandprotectworksofart,draggedfromamidstburningcitiesandrevolutionarycountries,andbroughthitheroutofalltheworld。Ilookwithrespectathousessix,seven,eighthundred,or,likeWarwickCastle,ninehundredyearsold。I

  pardonedhighpark—fences,whenIsaw,that,besidesdoesandpheasants,thesehavepreservedArundelmarbles,Townleygalleries,HowardandSpenserianlibraries,WarwickandPortlandvases,Saxonmanuscripts,monasticarchitectures,millennialtrees,andbreedsofcattleelsewhereextinct。Inthesemanors,afterthefrenzyofwaranddestructionsubsidesalittle,theantiquaryfindsthefrailestRomanjar,orcrumblingEgyptianmummy—case,withoutsomuchasanewlayerofdust,keepingtheseriesofhistoryunbroken,andwaitingforitsinterpreter,whoissuretoarrive。Theselordsarethetreasurersandlibrariansofmankind,engagedbytheirprideandwealthtothisfunction。

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