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。