WhentheGothicnationscameintoEurope，theyfounditlightedwiththesunandmoonofHebrewandofGreekgenius。Thetabletsoftheirbrain，longkeptinthedark，werefinelysensibletothedoubleglory。Totheimagesfromthistwinsource（ofChristianityandart），themindbecamefruitfulasbytheincubationoftheHolyGhost。TheEnglishmindfloweredineveryfaculty。Thecommon—sensewassurprisedandinspired。Fortwocenturies，Englandwasphilosophic，religious，poetic。Thementalfurnitureseemedoflargerscale；thememorycapaciouslikethestorehouseoftherains；
　　theardorandenduranceofstudy；theboldnessandfacilityoftheirmentalconstruction；theirfancy，andimagination，andeasyspanningofvastdistancesofthought；theenterpriseoraccostingofnewsubjects；and，generally，theeasyexertionofpower，astonish，likethelegendaryfeatsofGuyofWarwick。TheunionofSaxonprecisionandorientalsoaring，ofwhichShakspeareistheperfectexample，issharedinlessdegreebythewritersoftwocenturies。Ifindnotonlythegreatmastersoutofallrivalryandreach，butthewholewritingofthetimechargedwithamasculineforceandfreedom。
　　Thereisahygienicsimpleness，roughvigor，andclosenesstothematterinhand，eveninthesecondandthirdclassofwriters；
　　and，Ithink，inthecommonstyleofthepeople，asonefindsitinthecitationofwills，letters，andpublicdocuments，inproverbs，andformsofspeech。ThemoreheartyandsturdyexpressionmayindicatethatthesavagenessoftheNorsemanwasnotallgone。Theirdynamicbrainshurledofftheirwords，astherevolvingstonehurlsoffscrapsofgrit。Icouldcitefromtheseventeenthcenturysentencesandphrasesofedgenottobematchedinthenineteenth。
　　Theirpoetsbysimpleforceofmindequalizedthemselveswiththeaccumulatedscienceofours。ThecountrygentlemenhadapossetordrinktheycalledOctober；andthepoets，asifbythishint，knewhowtodistilthewholeseasonintotheirautumnalverses：and，asnature，topiquethemore，sometimesworksupdeformitiesintobeauty，insomerareAspasia，orCleopatra；and，astheGreekartwroughtmanyavaseorcolumn，inwhichtoolong，ortoolithe，ornodes，orpitsandflaws，aremadeabeautyof；sotheseweresoquickandvital，thattheycouldcharmandenrichbymeanandvulgarobjects。
　　Amanmustthinkthatagewelltaughtandthoughtful，bywhichmasquesandpoems，likethoseofBenJonson，fullofheroicsentimentinamanlystyle，werereceivedwithfavor。Theuniquefactinliteraryhistory，theunsurprisedreceptionofShakspeare；——thereceptionprovedbyhismakinghisfortune；andtheapathyprovedbytheabsenceofallcontemporarypanegyric，——seemstodemonstrateanelevationinthemindofthepeople。Judgeofthesplendorofanation，bytheinsignificanceofgreatindividualsinit。ThemannerinwhichtheylearnedGreekandLatin，beforeourmodernfacilitieswereyetready，withoutdictionaries，grammars，orindexes，bylecturesofaprofessor，followedbytheirownsearchings，——
　　requiredamorerobustmemory，andcooperationofallthefaculties；
　　andtheirscholars，Camden，Usher，Selden，Mede，Gataker，Hooker，Taylor，Burton，Bentley，BrianWalton，acquiredthesolidityandmethodofengineers。
　　TheinfluenceofPlatotingestheBritishgenius。Theirmindslovedanalogy；werecognisantofresemblances，andclimbersonthestaircaseofunity。’Tisaveryoldstrifebetweenthosewhoelecttoseeidentity，andthosewhoelecttoseediscrepances；anditrenewsitselfinBritain。Thepoets，ofcourse，areofonepart；themenoftheworld，oftheother。ButBritainhadmanydisciplesofPlato；——More，Hooker，Bacon，Sidney，LordBrooke，Herbert，Browne，Donne，Spenser，Chapman，Milton，Crashaw，Norris，Cudworth，Berkeley，JeremyTaylor。
　　LordBaconhastheEnglishduality。Hiscenturiesofobservations，onusefulscience，andhisexperiments，Isuppose，wereworthnothing。OnehintofFranklin，orWatt，orDalton，orDavy，oranyonewhohadatalentforexperiment，wasworthallhislifetimeofexquisitetrifles。Buthedrinksofadivinerstream，andmarkstheinfluxofidealismintoEngland。Wherethatgoes，ispoetry，health，andprogress。Therulesofitsgenesisoritsdiffusionarenotknown。Thatknowledge，ifwehadit，wouldsupersedeallthatwecallscienceofthemind。Itseemsanaffairofrace，orofmeta—chemistry；——thevitalpointbeing，——howfarthesenseofunity，orinstinctofseekingresemblances，predominated。For，whereverthemindtakesastep，itis，toputitselfatonewithalargerclass，discernedbeyondthelesserclasswithwhichithasbeenconversant。Hence，allpoetry，andallaffirmativeactioncomes。
　　Bacon，inthestructureofhismind，heldoftheanalogists，oftheidealists，or（aswepopularlysay，namingfromthebestexample）
　　Platonists。Whoeverdiscreditsanalogy，andrequiresheapsoffacts，beforeanytheoriescanbeattempted，hasnopoeticpower，andnothingoriginalorbeautifulwillbeproducedbyhim。Lockeisassurelytheinfluxofdecompositionandofprose，asBaconandthePlatonists，ofgrowth。ThePlatonicisthepoetictendency；theso—calledscientificisthenegativeandpoisonous。’Tisquitecertain，thatSpenser，Burns，Byron，andWordsworthwillbePlatonists；andthatthedullmenwillbeLockists。Thenpoliticsandcommercewillabsorbfromtheeducatedclassmenoftalentswithoutgenius，preciselybecausesuchhavenoresistance。
　　Bacon，capableofideas，yetdevotedtoends，requiredinhismapofthemind，firstofall，universality，or_primaphilosophia_，thereceptacleforallsuchprofitableobservationsandaxiomsasfallnotwithinthecompassofanyofthespecialpartsofphilosophy，butaremorecommon，andofahigherstage。Heheldthiselementessential：itisneveroutofmind：heneversparesrebukesforsuchasneglectit；believingthatnoperfectdiscoverycanbemadeinaflatorlevel，butyoumustascendtoahigherscience。
　　"Ifanymanthinkethphilosophyanduniversalitytobeidlestudies，hedothnotconsiderthatallprofessionsarefromthenceservedandsupplied，andthisItaketobeagreatcausethathashinderedtheprogressionoflearning，becausethesefundamentalknowledgeshavebeenstudiedbutinpassage。"Heexplainedhimselfbygivingvariousquaintexamplesofthesummaryorcommonlaws，ofwhicheachsciencehasitsownillustration。Hecomplains，that"hefindsthispartoflearningverydeficient，theprofoundersortofwitsdrawingabucketnowandthenfortheirownuse，butthespring—headunvisited。Thiswasthe_drylight_whichdidscorchandoffendmostmen’swaterynatures。"Platohadsignifiedthesamesense，whenhesaid，"Allthegreatartsrequireasubtleandspeculativeresearchintothelawofnature，sinceloftinessofthoughtandperfectmasteryovereverysubjectseemtobederivedfromsomesuchsourceasthis。ThisPericleshad，inadditiontoagreatnaturalgenius。For，meetingwithAnaxagoras，whowasapersonofthiskind，heattachedhimselftohim，andnourishedhimselfwithsublimespeculationsontheabsoluteintelligence；andimportedthenceintotheoratoricalart，whatevercouldbeusefultoit。"
　　Afewgeneralizationsalwayscirculateintheworld，whoseauthorswedonotrightlyknow，whichastonish，andappeartobeavenuestovastkingdomsofthought，andtheseareintheworld_constants_，liketheCopernicanandNewtoniantheoriesinphysics。
　　InEngland，thesemaybetracedusuallytoShakspeare，Bacon，Milton，orHooker，eventoVanHelmontandBehmen，anddoallhaveakindoffilialretrospecttoPlatoandtheGreeks。OfthiskindisLordBacon’ssentence，that"natureiscommandedbyobeyingher；"hisdoctrineofpoetry，which"accommodatestheshowsofthingstothedesiresofthemind，"ortheZoroastriandefinitionofpoetry，mystical，yetexact，"apparentpicturesofunapparentnatures；"
　　Spenser’screed，that"soulisform，anddoththebodymake；"thetheoryofBerkeley，thatwehavenocertainassuranceoftheexistenceofmatter；DoctorSamuelClarke’sargumentfortheismfromthenatureofspaceandtime；Harrington’spoliticalrule，thatpowermustrestonland，——arulewhichrequirestobeliberallyinterpreted；thetheoryofSwedenborg，socosmicallyappliedbyhim，thatthemanmakeshisheavenandhell；Hegel’sstudyofcivilhistory，astheconflictofideasandthevictoryofthedeeperthought；theidentity—philosophyofSchelling，couchedinthestatementthat"alldifferenceisquantitative。"Sotheveryannouncementofthetheoryofgravitation，ofKepler’sthreeharmoniclaws，andevenofDalton’sdoctrineofdefiniteproportions，findsasuddenresponseinthemind，whichremainsasuperiorevidencetoempiricaldemonstrations。Icitethesegeneralizations，someofwhicharemorerecent，merelytoindicateaclass。Nottheseparticulars，butthementalplaneortheatmospherefromwhichtheyemanate，wasthehomeandelementsofthewritersandreadersinwhatwelooselycalltheElizabethanage，（say，inliteraryhistory，theperiodfrom1575to1625，）yetaperiodalmostshortenoughtojustifyBenJonson’sremarkonLordBacon；"abouthistime，andwithinhisview，werebornallthewitsthatcouldhonoranation，orhelpstudy。"
　　Suchrichnessofgeniushadnotexistedmorethanoncebefore。
　　Theseheightscouldnotbemaintained。Aswefindstumpsofvasttreesinourexhaustedsoils，andhavereceivedtraditionsoftheirancientfertilitytotillage，sohistoryreckonsepochsinwhichtheintellectoffamedracesbecameeffete。SoitfaredwithEnglishgenius。Theseheightswerefollowedbyameanness，andadescentofthemindintolowerlevels；thelossofwings；nohighspeculation。
　　Locke，towhomthemeaningofideaswasunknown，becamethetypeofphilosophy，andhis"understanding"themeasure，inallnations，oftheEnglishintellect。HiscountrymenforsooktheloftysidesofParnassus，onwhichtheyhadoncewalkedwithechoingsteps，anddisusedthestudiesoncesobeloved；thepowersofthoughtfellintoneglect。ThelaterEnglishwantthefacultyofPlatoandAristotle，ofgroupingmeninnaturalclassesbyaninsightofgenerallaws，sodeep，thattheruleisdeducedwithequalprecisionfromfewsubjectsorfromone，asfrommultitudesoflives。Shakspeareissupremeinthat，asinallthegreatmentalenergies。TheGermansgeneralize：
　　theEnglishcannotinterprettheGermanmind。GermansciencecomprehendstheEnglish。TheabsenceofthefacultyinEnglandisshownbythetimiditywhichaccumulatesmountainsoffacts，asabadgeneralwantsmyriadsofmenandmilesofredoubts，tocompensatetheinspirationsofcourageandconduct。
　　TheEnglishshrinkfromageneralization。"Theydonotlookabroadintouniversality，ortheydrawonlyabucket—fullatthefountainoftheFirstPhilosophyfortheiroccasion，anddonotgotothespring—head。"Bacon，whosaidthis，isalmostuniqueamonghiscountrymeninthatfaculty，atleastamongtheprose—writers。
　　Milton，whowasthestairorhightable—landtoletdowntheEnglishgeniusfromthesummitsofShakspeare，usedthisprivilegesometimesinpoetry，morerarelyinprose。Foralongintervalafterwards，itisnotfound。Burkewasaddictedtogeneralizing，buthiswasashorterline；ashisthoughtshavelessdepth，theyhavelesscompass。Hume’sabstractionsarenotdeeporwise。Heoweshisfametoonekeenobservation，thatnocopulahadbeendetectedbetweenanycauseandeffect，eitherinphysicsorinthought；thatthetermcauseandeffectwaslooselyorgratuitouslyappliedtowhatweknowonlyasconsecutive，notatallascausal。DoctorJohnson’swrittenabstractionshavelittlevalue：thetoneoffeelinginthemmakestheirchiefworth。
　　Mr。Hallam，alearnedandelegantscholar，haswrittenthehistoryofEuropeanliteratureforthreecenturies，——aperformanceofgreatambition，inasmuchasajudgmentwastobeattemptedoneverybook。Buthiseyedoesnotreachtotheidealstandards：theverdictsarealldatedfromLondon：allnewthoughtmustbecastintotheoldmoulds。Theexpansiveelementwhichcreatesliteratureissteadilydenied。Platoisresisted，andhisschool。Hallamisuniformlypolite，butwithdeficientsympathy；writeswithresolutegenerosity，butisunconsciousofthedeepworthwhichliesinthemystics，andwhichoftenoutvaluesasaseedofpowerandasourceofrevolutionallthecorrectwritersandshiningreputationsoftheirday。Hepassesinsilence，ordismisseswithakindofcontempt，theprofoundermasters：aloverofideasisnotonlyuncongenial，butunintelligible。Hallaminspiresrespectbyhisknowledgeandfidelity，byhismanifestloveofgoodbooks，andheliftshimselftoownbetterthanalmostanythegreatnessofShakspeare，andbetterthanJohnsonheappreciatesMilton。ButinHallam，orinthefirmerintellectualnerveofMackintosh，onestillfindsthesametypeofEnglishgenius。Itiswiseandrich，butitlivesonitscapital。
　　Itisretrospective。Howcanitdiscernandhailthenewformsthatareloominguponthehorizon，——newandgiganticthoughtswhichcannotdressthemselvesoutofanyoldwardrobeofthepast？
　　Theessays，thefiction，andthepoetryofthedayhavethelikemunicipallimits。Dickens，withpreternaturalapprehensionofthelanguageofmanners，andthevarietiesofstreetlife，withpathosandlaughter，withpatrioticandstillenlarginggenerosity，writesLondontracts。HeisapainterofEnglishdetails，likeHogarth；localandtemporaryinhistintsandstyle，andlocalinhisaims。Bulwer，anindustriouswriter，withoccasionalability，isdistinguishedforhisreverenceofintellectasatemporality，andappealstotheworldlyambitionofthestudent。Hisromancestendtofantheselowflames。Theirnovelistsdespairoftheheart。
　　ThackerayfindsthatGodhasmadenoallowanceforthepoorthinginhisuniverse；——more’sthepity，hethinks；——but’tisnotforustobewiser：wemustrenounceideals，andacceptLondon。
　　ThebrilliantMacaulay，whoexpressesthetoneoftheEnglishgoverningclassesoftheday，explicitlyteaches，that_good_meansgoodtoeat，goodtowear，materialcommodity；thatthegloryofmodernphilosophyisitsdirectionon"fruit；"toyieldeconomicalinventions；andthatitsmeritistoavoidideas，andavoidmorals。
　　HethinksitthedistinctivemeritoftheBaconianphilosophy，initstriumphovertheoldPlatonic，itsdisentanglingtheintellectfromtheoriesoftheall—Fairandall—Good，andpinningitdowntothemakingabettersickchairandabetterwine—wheyforaninvalid；——
　　thisnotironically，butingoodfaith；——that，"solidadvantage，"
　　ashecallsit，meaningalwayssensualbenefit，istheonlygood。
　　Theeminentbenefitofastronomyisthebetternavigationitcreatestoenablethefruit—shipstobringhometheirlemonsandwinetotheLondongrocer。Itwasacuriousresult，inwhichthecivilityandreligionofEnglandforathousandyears，ends，indenyingmorals，andreducingtheintellecttoasauce—pan。ThecritichideshisskepticismundertheEnglishcantofpractical。Toconvincethereason，totouchtheconscience，isromanticpretension。Thefineartsfalltotheground。Beauty，exceptasluxuriouscommodity，doesnotexist。Itisverycertain，Imaysayinpassing，thatifLordBaconhadbeenonlythesensualisthiscriticpretends，hewouldneverhaveacquiredthefamewhichnowentitleshimtothispatronage。Itisbecausehehadimagination，theleisuresofthespirit，andbaskedinanelementofcontemplationoutofallmodernEnglishatmosphericgauges，thatheisimpressivetotheimaginationsofmen，andhasbecomeapotentatenottobeignored。SirDavidBrewsterseesthehighplaceofBacon，withoutfindingNewtonindebtedtohim，andthinksitamistake。Baconoccupiesitbyspecificgravityorlevity，notbyanyfeathedid，orbyanytutoringmoreorlessofNewton&c。，butaneffectofthesamecausewhichshoweditselfmorepronouncedafterwardsinHooke，Boyle，andHalley。
　　Coleridge，acatholicmind，withahungerforideas，witheyeslookingbeforeandaftertothehighestbardsandsages，andwhowroteandspoketheonlyhighcriticisminhistime，——isoneofthosewhosaveEnglandfromthereproachofnolongerpossessingthecapacitytoappreciatewhatrarestwittheislandhasyielded。Yetthemisfortuneofhislife，hisvastattemptsbutmostinadequateperformings，failingtoaccomplishanyonemasterpiece，seemstomarktheclosingofanera。Eveninhim，thetraditionalEnglishmanwastoostrongforthephilosopher，andhefellinto_accommodations_：
　　and，asBurkehadstriventoidealizetheEnglishState，soColeridge`narrowedhismind’intheattempttoreconcilethegothicruleanddogmaoftheAnglicanChurch，witheternalideas。ButforColeridge，andalurkingtaciturnminority，utteringitselfinoccasionalcriticism，oftenerinprivatediscourse，onewouldsay，thatinGermanyandinAmerica，isthebestmindinEnglandrightlyrespected。Itisthesurestsignofnationaldecay，whentheBraminscannolongerreadorunderstandtheBraminicalphilosophy。
　　Inthedecompositionandasphyxiathatfollowedallthismaterialism，Carlylewasdrivenbyhisdisgustatthepettinessandthecant，intothepreachingofFate。Incomparisonwithallthisrottenness，anycheck，anycleansing，thoughbyfire，seemeddesirableandbeautiful。Hesawlittledifferenceinthegladiators，orthe"causes"forwhichtheycombated；theonecomfortwas，thattheywereallgoingspeedilyintotheabysstogether：Andhisimagination，findingnonutrimentinanycreation，avengeditselfbycelebratingthemajesticbeautyofthelawsofdecay。Thenecessitiesofmentalstructureforceallmindsintoafewcategories，andwhereimpatienceofthetricksofmenmakesNemesisamiable，andbuildsaltarstothenegativeDeity，theinevitablerecoilistoheroismorthegallantryoftheprivateheart，whichdecksitsimmolationwithglory，intheunequalcombatofwillagainstfate。
　　Wilkinson，theeditorofSwedenborg，theannotatorofFourier，andthechampionofHahnemann，hasbroughttometaphysicsandtophysiologyanativevigor，withacatholicperceptionofrelations，equaltothehighestattempts，andarhetoriclikethearmoryoftheinvincibleknightsofold。ThereisintheactionofhismindalongAtlanticrollnotknownexceptindeepestwaters，andonlylackingwhatoughttoaccompanysuchpowers，amanifestcentrality。Ifhisminddoesnotrestinimmovablebiases，perhapstheorbitislarger，andthereturnisnotyet：butamastershouldinspireaconfidencethathewilladheretohisconvictions，andgivehispresentstudiesalwaysthesamehighplace。
　　ItwouldbeeasytoaddexceptionstothelimitarytoneofEnglishthought，andmuchmoreeasytoadduceexamplesofexcellenceinparticularveins：andif，goingoutoftheregionofdogma，wepassintothatofgeneralculture，thereisnoendtothegracesandamenities，wit，sensibilityanderudition，ofthelearnedclass。ButtheartificialsuccorwhichmarksallEnglishperformance，appearsinlettersalso：muchoftheiraestheticproductionisantiquarianandmanufactured，andliteraryreputationshavebeenachievedbyforciblemen，whoserelationtoliteraturewaspurelyaccidental，butwhoweredrivenbytastesandmodestheyfoundinvogueintotheirseveralcareers。So，atthismoment，everyambitiousyoungmanstudiesgeology：somembersofParliamentaremade，andchurchmen。
　　ThebiasofEnglishmentopracticalskillhasreactedonthenationalmind。Theyareincapableofaninutility，andrespectthefivemechanicpowersevenintheirsong。Thevoiceoftheirmodernmusehasaslighthintofthesteam—whistle，andthepoemiscreatedasanornamentandfinishoftheirmonarchy，andbynomeansasthebirdofanewmorningwhichforgetsthepastworldinthefullenjoymentofthatwhichisforming。Theyarewithdifficultyideal；
　　theyarethemostconditionedmen，asif，havingthebestconditions，theycouldnotbringthemselvestoforfeitthem。Everyoneofthemisathousandyearsold，andlivesbyhismemory：andwhenyousaythis，theyacceptitaspraise。
　　Nothingcomestothebook—shopsbutpolitics，travels，statistics，tabulation，andengineering，andevenwhatiscalledphilosophyandlettersismechanicalinitsstructure，asifinspirationhadceased，asifnovasthope，noreligion，nosongofjoy，nowisdom，noanalogy，existedanymore。Thetoneofcolleges，andofscholarsandofliterarysocietyhasthismortalair。Iseemtowalkonamarblefloor，wherenothingwillgrow。Theyexerteveryvarietyoftalentonalowerground，andmaybesaidtoliveandactinasub—mind。Theyhavelostallcommandingviewsinliterature，philosophy，andscience。AgoodEnglishmanshutshimselfoutofthreefourthsofhismind，andconfineshimselftoonefourth。Hehaslearning，goodsense，poweroflabor，andlogic：butafaithinthelawsofthemindlikethatofArchimedes；abelieflikethatofEulerandKepler，thatexperiencemustfollowandnotleadthelawsofthemind；adevotiontothetheoryofpolitics，likethatofHooker，andMilton，andHarrington，themodernEnglishmindrepudiates。
　　Ifearthesamefaultliesintheirscience，sincetheyhaveknownhowtomakeitrepulsive，andbereavenatureofitscharm；——
　　thoughperhapsthecomplaintflieswider，andtheviceattachestomanymorethantoBritishphysicists。Theeyeofthenaturalistmusthaveascopelikenatureitself，asusceptibilitytoallimpressions，alivetotheheartaswellastothelogicofcreation。ButEnglishscienceputshumanitytothedoor。Itwantstheconnectionwhichisthetestofgenius。Thescienceisfalsebynotbeingpoetic。Itisolatesthereptileormolluskitassumestoexplain；whilstreptileormolluskonlyexistsinsystem，inrelation。ThepoetonlyseesitasaninevitablestepinthepathoftheCreator。But，inEngland，onehermitfindsthisfact，andanotherfindsthat，andlivesanddiesignorantofitsvalue。Therearegreatexceptions，ofJohnHunter，amanofideas；perhapsofRobertBrown，thebotanist；andofRichardOwen，whohasimportedintoBritaintheGermanhomologies，andenrichedsciencewithcontributionsofhisown，addingsometimesthedivinationoftheoldmasterstotheunbrokenpoweroflaborintheEnglishmind。Butforthemostpart，thenaturalscienceinEnglandisoutofitsloyalalliancewithmorals，andisasvoidofimaginationandfreeplayofthought，asconveyancing。ItstandsinstrongcontrastwiththegeniusoftheGermans，thosesemi—Greeks，wholoveanalogy，and，bymeansoftheirheightofview，preservetheirenthusiasm，andthinkforEurope。
　　Nohope，nosublimeaugurycheersthestudent，nosecurestridingfromexperimentonwardtoaforeseenlaw，butonlyacasualdippinghereandthere，likediggersinCalifornia"prospectingforaplacer"thatwillpay。Ahorizonofbrassofthediameterofhisumbrellashutsdownaroundhissenses。Squalidcontentmentwithconventions，satireatthenamesofphilosophyandreligion，parochialandshop—tillpolitics，andidolatryofusage，betraytheebboflifeandspirit。AstheytrampleonnationalitiestoreproduceLondonandLondonersinEuropeandAsia，sotheyfearthehostilityofideas，ofpoetry，ofreligion，——ghostswhichtheycannotlay；——and，havingattemptedtodomesticateanddresstheBlessedSoulitselfinEnglishbroadclothandgaiters，theyaretormentedwithfearthathereinlurksaforcethatwillsweeptheirsystemaway。Theartistssay，"Natureputsthemout；"thescholarshavebecomeun—ideal。Theyparryearnestspeechwithbanterandlevity；theylaughyoudown，ortheychangethesubject。"Thefactis，"saytheyovertheirwine，"allthataboutliberty，andsoforth，isgoneby；itwon’tdoanylonger。"Thepracticalandcomfortableoppressthemwithinexorableclaims，andthesmallestfractionofpowerremainsforheroismandpoetry。Nopoetdaresmurmurofbeautyoutoftheprecinctofhisrhymes。NopriestdareshintataProvidencewhichdoesnotrespectEnglishutility。Theislandisaroaringvolcanooffate，ofmaterialvalues，oftariffs，andlawsofrepression，gluttedmarketsandlowprices。
　　Intheabsenceofthehighestaims，ofthepureloveofknowledge，andthesurrendertonature，thereisthesuppressionoftheimagination，thepriapismofthesensesandtheunderstanding；wehavethefactitiousinsteadofthenatural；tastelessexpense，artsofcomfort，andtherewardingasanillustriousinventorwhosoeverwillcontriveoneimpedimentmoretointerposebetweenthemanandhisobjects。
　　Thuspoetryisdegraded，andmadeornamental。Popeandhisschoolwrotepoetryfittoputroundfrostedcake。WhatdidWalterScottwritewithoutstint？arhymedtraveller’sguidetoScotland。
　　AndthelibrariesofversestheyprinthavethisBirminghamcharacter。Howmanyvolumesofwell—bredmetrewemustginglethrough，beforewecanbefilled，taught，renewed！Wewantthemiraculous；thebeautywhichwecanmanufactureatnomill，——cangivenoaccountof；thebeautyofwhichChaucerandChapmanhadthesecret。Thepoetryofcourseislowandprosaic；onlynowandthen，asinWordsworth，conscientious；orinByron，passional；orinTennyson，factitious。ButifIshouldcountthepoetswhohavecontributedtothebibleofexistingEnglandsentencesofguidanceandconsolationwhicharestillglowingandeffective，——howfew！7
　　ShallIfindmyheavenlybreadinthereigningpoets？WhereisgreatdesigninmodernEnglishpoetry？TheEnglishhavelostsightofthefactthatpoetryexiststospeakthespirituallaw，andthatnowealthofdescriptionoroffancyisyetessentiallynew，andoutofthelimitsofprose，untilthisconditionisreached。Thereforethegraveoldpoets，liketheGreekartists，heededtheirdesigns，andlessconsideredthefinish。Itwastheirofficetoleadtothedivinesources，outofwhichallthis，andmuchmore，readilysprings；and，ifthisreligionisinthepoetry，itraisesustosomepurpose，andwecanwellaffordsomestaidness，orhardness，orwantofpopulartuneintheverses。
　　TheexceptionalfactoftheperiodisthegeniusofWordsworth。
　　Hehadnomasterbutnatureandsolitude。"Hewroteapoem，"saysLandor，"withouttheaidofwar。"Hisverseisthevoiceofsanityinaworldlyandambitiousage。Oneregretsthathistemperamentwasnotmoreliquidandmusical。Hehaswrittenlongerthanhewasinspired。Butfortherest，hehasnocompetitor。
　　TennysonisendowedpreciselyinpointswhereWordsworthwanted。Thereisnofinerear，normorecommandofthekeysoflanguage。Color，likethedawn，flowsoverthehorizonfromhispencil，inwavessorichthatwedonotmissthecentralform。
　　Throughallhisrefinements，too，hehasreachedthepublic，——acertificateofgoodsenseandgeneralpower，sincehewhoaspirestobetheEnglishpoetmustbeaslargeasLondon，notinthesamekindasLondon，butinhisownkind。Buthewantsasubject，andclimbsnomountofvisiontobringitssecretstothepeople。HecontentshimselfwithdescribingtheEnglishmanasheis，andproposesnobetter。Therearealldegreesinpoetry，andwemustbethankfulforeverybeautifultalent。Butitisonlyafirstsuccess，whentheearisgained。Thebestofficeofthebestpoetshasbeentoshowhowlowanduninspiredwastheirgeneralstyle，andthatonlyonceortwicetheyhavestruckthehighchord。
　　Thatexpansivenesswhichistheessenceofthepoeticelement，theyhavenot。ItwasnoOxonian，butHafiz，whosaid，"Letusbecrownedwithroses，letusdrinkwine，andbreakupthetiresomeoldroofofheavenintonewforms。"AstanzaofthesongofnaturetheOxonianhasnoearfor，andhedoesnotvaluethesalientandcurativeinfluenceofintellectualaction，studiousoftruth，withoutaby—end。
　　Bythelawofcontraries，IlookforanirresistibletasteforOrientalisminBritain。Foraself—conceitedmodishlife，madeupoftrifles，clingingtoacorporealcivilization，hatingideas，thereisnoremedyliketheOrientallargeness。ThatastonishesanddisconcertsEnglishdecorum。Foroncethereisthunderitneverheard，lightitneversaw，andpowerwhichtrifleswithtimeandspace。Iamnotsurprised，then，tofindanEnglishmanlikeWarrenHastings，whohadbeenstruckwiththegrandstyleofthinkingintheIndianwritings，deprecatingtheprejudicesofhiscountrymen，whileofferingthematranslationoftheBhagvat。"MightI，anunletteredman，venturetoprescribeboundstothelatitudeofcriticism，I
　　shouldexclude，inestimatingthemeritofsuchaproduction，allrulesdrawnfromtheancientormodernliteratureofEurope，allreferencestosuchsentimentsormannersasarebecomethestandardsofproprietyforopinionandactioninourownmodes，and，equally，allappealstoourrevealedtenetsofreligionandmoralduty。"（*
　　1）Hegoesontobespeakindulgenceto"ornamentsoffancyunsuitedtoourtaste，andpassageselevatedtoatractofsublimityintowhichourhabitsofjudgmentwillfinditdifficulttopursuethem。"
　　（*1）PrefacetoWilkins’sTranslationoftheBhagvatGeeta。
　　Meantime，IknowthataretrievingpowerliesintheEnglishrace，whichseemstomakeanyrecoilpossible；inotherwords，thereisatalltimesaminorityofprofoundmindsexistinginthenation，capableofappreciatingeverysoaringofintellectandeveryhintoftendency。Whiletheconstructivetalentseemsdwarfedandsuperficial，thecriticismisofteninthenoblesttone，andsuggeststhepresenceoftheinvisiblegods。IcanwellbelievewhatIhaveoftenheard，thattherearetwonationsinEngland；butitisnotthePoorandtheRich；norisittheNormansandSaxons；northeCeltandtheGoth。Theseareeachalwaysbecomingtheother；forRobertOwendoesnotexaggeratethepowerofcircumstance。Butthetwocomplexions，ortwostylesofmind，——theperceptiveclass，andthepracticalfinalityclass，——areeverincounterpoise，interactingmutually；one，inhopelessminorities；theother，inhugemasses；onestudious，contemplative，experimenting；theother，theungratefulpupil，scornfulofthesource，whilstavailingitselfoftheknowledgeforgain；thesetwonations，ofgeniusandofanimalforce，thoughthefirstconsistofonlyadozensouls，andthesecondoftwentymillions，foreverbytheirdiscordandtheiraccordyieldthepoweroftheEnglishState。
　　ChapterXV_The"Times"_
　　ThepowerofthenewspaperisfamiliarinAmerica，andinaccordancewithourpoliticalsystemgonismwiththefeudalinstitutions，anditisallthemorebeneficentsuccoragainstthesecretivetendenciesofamonarchy。ThecelebratedLordSomers"knewofnogoodlawproposedandpassedinhistime，towhichthepublicpapershadnotdirectedhisattention。"Thereisnocornerandnonight。Arelentlessinquisitiondragseverysecrettotheday，turnstheglareofthissolarmicroscopeoneverymalfaisance，soastomakethepublicamoreterriblespythananyforeigner；andnoweaknesscanbetakenadvantageofbyanenemy，sincethewholepeoplearealreadyforewarned。ThusEnglandridsherselfofthoseincrustationswhichhavebeentheruinofoldstates。Ofcourse，thisinspectionisfeared。Noantiqueprivilege，nocomfortablemonopoly，butseessurelythatitsdaysarecounted；thepeoplearefamiliarizedwiththereasonofreform，and，onebyone，takeawayeveryargumentoftheobstructives。"Soyourgracelikesthecomfortofreadingthenewspapers，"saidLordMansfieldtotheDukeofNorthumberland；"markmywords；youandIshallnotlivetoseeit，butthisyounggentleman（LordEldon）may，oritmaybealittlelater；butalittlesoonerorlater，thesenewspaperswillmostassuredlywritethedukesofNorthumberlandoutoftheirtitlesandpossessions，andthecountryoutofitsking。"ThetendencyinEnglandtowardssocialandpoliticalinstitutionslikethoseofAmerica，isinevitable，andtheabilityofitsjournalsisthedrivingforce。
　　Englandisfullofmanly，clever，well—bredmenwhopossessthetalentofwritingoff—handpungentparagraphs，expressingwithclearnessandcouragetheiropiniononanypersonorperformance。
　　Valuableornot，itisaskillthatisrarelyfound，outoftheEnglishjournals。TheEnglishdothis，astheywritepoetry，astheyrideandbox，bybeingeducatedtoit。HundredsofcleverPraeds，andFreres，andFroudes，andHoods，andHooks，andMaginns，andMills，andMacaulays，makepoems，orshortessaysforajournal，astheymakespeechesinParliamentandonthehustings，or，astheyshootandride。Itisaquiteaccidentalandarbitrarydirectionoftheirgeneralability。Rudehealthandspirits，anOxfordeducation，andthehabitsofsocietyareimplied，butnotarayofgenius。Itcomesofthecrowdedstateoftheprofessions，theviolentinterestwhichallmentakeinpolitics，thefacilityofexperimentinginthejournals，andhighpay。
　　Themostconspicuousresultofthistalentisthe"Times"
　　newspaper。NopowerinEnglandismorefelt，morefeared，ormoreobeyed。Whatyoureadinthemorninginthatjournal，youshallhearintheeveninginallsociety。Ithasearseverywhere，anditsinformationisearliest，completest，andsurest。Ithasrisen，yearbyyear，andvictorybyvictory，toitspresentauthority。Iaskedoneofitsoldcontributors，whetherithadoncebeenablerthanitisnow？"Never，"hesaid；"theseareitspalmiestdays。"IthasshownthosequalitieswhicharedeartoEnglishmen，unflinchingadherencetoitsobjects，prodigalintellectualability，andatoweringassurance，backedbytheperfectorganizationinitsprinting—house，anditsworld—widenet—workofcorrespondenceandreports。Ithasitsownhistoryandfamoustrophies。In1820，itadoptedthecauseofQueenCaroline，andcarrieditagainsttheking。
　　Itadoptedapoor—lawsystem，andalmostalonelifteditthrough。
　　WhenLordBroughamwasinpower，itdecidedagainsthim，andpulledhimdown。ItdeclaredwaragainstIreland，andconqueredit。ItadoptedtheLeagueagainsttheCornLaws，and，whenCobdenhadbeguntodespair，itannouncedhistriumph。ItdenouncedanddiscreditedtheFrenchRepublicof1848，andcheckedeverysympathywithitinEngland，untilithadenrolled200，000specialconstablestowatchtheChartists，andmakethemridiculousonthe10thApril。ItfirstdenouncedandthenadoptedthenewFrenchEmpire，andurgedtheFrenchAllianceanditsresults。Ithasenteredintoeachmunicipal，literary，andsocialquestion，almostwithacontrollingvoice。Ithasdoneboldandseasonableserviceinexposingfraudswhichthreatenedthecommercialcommunity。Meantime，itattacksitsrivalsbyperfectingitsprintingmachinery，andwilldrivethemoutofcirculation：fortheonlylimittothecirculationofthe"Timesistheimpossibilityofprintingcopiesfastenough；sinceadailypapercanonlybenewandseasonableforafewhours。Itwillkillallbutthatpaperwhichisdiametricallyinopposition；sincemanypapers，firstandlast，havelivedbytheirattacksontheleadingjournal。
　　ThelateMr。Walterwasprinterofthe"Times，"andhadgraduallyarrangedthewhole_materiel_ofitinperfectsystem。Itistold，thatwhenhedemandedasmallshareintheproprietary，andwasrefused，hesaid，"Asyouplease，gentlemen；andyoumaytakeawaythe`Times’fromthisoffice，whenyouwill；Ishallpublishthe`NewTimes，’nextMondaymorning。"Theproprietors，whohadalreadycomplainedthathischargesforprintingwereexcessive，foundthattheywereinhispower，andgavehimwhateverhewished。
　　Iwentonedaywithagoodfriendtothe"Times"office，whichwasenteredthroughaprettygarden—yard，inPrinting—HouseSquare。
　　Wewalkedwithsomecircumspection，asifwewereenteringapowder—mill；butthedoorwasopenedbyamildoldwoman，and，bydintofsometransmissionofcards，wewereatlastconductedintotheparlorofMr。Morris，averygentleperson，withnohostileappearances。Thestatisticsarenowquiteoutofdate，butI
　　rememberhetoldusthatthedailyprintingwasthen35，000copies；
　　thatonthe1stMarch，1848，thegreatestnumbereverprinted，——
　　54，000wereissued；that，sinceFebruary，thedailycirculationhadincreasedby8000copies。Theoldpresstheywerethenusingprintedfiveorsixthousandsheetsperhour；thenewmachine，forwhichtheywerethenbuildinganengine，wouldprinttwelvethousandperhour。
　　Ourentertainerconfidedustoacourteousassistanttoshowustheestablishment，inwhich，Ithink，theyemployedahundredandtwentymen。Iremember，Isawthereporters’room，inwhichtheyredacttheirhastystenographs，buttheeditor’sroom，andwhoisinit，I
　　didnotsee，thoughIsharedthecuriosityofmankindrespectingit。
　　Thestaffofthe"Times"hasalwaysbeenmadeupofablemen。
　　OldWalter，Sterling，Bacon，Barnes，Alsiger，HoraceTwiss，JonesLoyd，JohnOxenford，Mr。Mosely，Mr。Bailey，havecontributedtoitsrenownintheirspecialdepartments。Butithasneverwantedthefirstpensforoccasionalassistance。Itsprivateinformationisinexplicable，andrecallsthestoriesofFouche’spolice，whoseomnisciencemadeitbelievedthattheEmpressJosephinemustbeinhispay。Ithasmercantileandpoliticalcorrespondentsineveryforeigncity；anditsexpressesoutrunthedespatchesofthegovernment。Onehearsanecdotesoftheriseofitsservants，asofthefunctionariesoftheIndiaHouse。Iwastoldofthedexterityofoneofitsreporters，who，findinghimself，ononeoccasion，wherethemagistrateshadstrictlyforbiddenreporters，puthishandsintohiscoat—pocket，andwithpencilinonehand，andtabletintheother，didhiswork。
　　TheinfluenceofthisjournalisarecognizedpowerinEurope，and，ofcourse，noneismoreconsciousofitthanitsconductors。
　　Thetoneofitsarticleshasoftenbeentheoccasionofcommentfromtheofficialorgansofthecontinentalcourts，andsometimesthegroundofdiplomaticcomplaint。Whatwouldthe"Times"say？isaterrorinParis，inBerlin，inVienna，inCopenhagen，andinNepaul。
　　ItsconsummatediscretionandsuccessexhibittheEnglishskillofcombination。Thedailypaperistheworkofmanyhands，chiefly，itissaid，ofyoungmenrecentlyfromtheUniversity，andperhapsreadinglawinchambersinLondon。Hencetheacademicelegance，andclassicallusion，whichadornitscolumns。Hence，too，theheatandgallantryofitsonset。Butthesteadinessoftheaimsuggeststhebeliefthatthisfireisdirectedandfedbyolderengineers；asifpersonsofexactinformation，andwithsettledviewsofpolicy，suppliedthewriterswiththebasisoffact，andtheobjecttobeattained，andavailedthemselvesoftheiryoungerenergyandeloquencetopleadthecause。Boththecouncilandtheexecutivedepartmentsgainbythisdivision。Oftwomenofequalability，theonewhodoesnotwrite，butkeepshiseyeonthecourseofpublicaffairs，willhavethehigherjudicialwisdom。Butthepartsarekeptinconcert；allthearticlesappeartoproceedfromasinglewill。The"Times"neverdisapprovesofwhatitselfhassaid，orcripplesitselfbyapologyfortheabsenceoftheeditor，ortheindiscretionofhimwhoheldthepen。Itspeaksoutbluffandbold，andstickstowhatitsays。Itdrawsfromanynumberoflearnedandskilfulcontributors；butamorelearnedandskilfulpersonsupervises，corrects，andcoordinates。Ofthiscloset，thesecretdoesnottranspire。Nowriterissufferedtoclaimtheauthorshipofanypaper；everythinggood，fromwhateverquarter，comesouteditorially；andthus，bymakingthepapereverything，andthosewhowriteitnothing，thecharacterandtheaweofthejournalgain。
　　TheEnglishlikeitforitscompleteinformation。Astatementoffactinthe"Times"isasreliableasacitationfromHansard。
　　Then，theylikeitsindependence；theydonotknow，whentheytakeitup，whattheirpaperisgoingtosay：but，aboveall，forthenationalityandconfidenceofitstone。Itthinksforthemall；itistheirunderstandingandday’sidealdaguerreotyped。WhenIseethemreadingitscolumns，theyseemtomebecomingeverymomentmoreBritish。Ithasthenationalcourage，notrashandpetulant，butconsiderateanddetermined。Nodignityorwealthisashieldfromitsassault。Itattacksadukeasreadilyasapoliceman，andwiththemostprovokingairsofcondescension。ItmakesrudeworkwiththeBoardofAdmiralty。TheBenchofBishopsisstilllesssafe。
　　Onebishopfaresbadlyforhisrapacity，andanotherforhisbigotry，andathirdforhiscourtliness。ItaddressesoccasionallyahinttoMajestyitself，andsometimesahintwhichistaken。Thereisanairoffreedomevenintheiradvertisingcolumns，whichspeakswellforEnglandtoaforeigner。OnthedayswhenIarrivedinLondonin1847，Ireadamongthedailyannouncements，oneofferingarewardoffiftypoundstoanypersonwhowouldputanobleman，describedbynameandtitle，lateamemberofParliament，intoanycountyjailinEngland，hehavingbeenconvictedofobtainingmoneyunderfalsepretences。
　　Wasneversucharrogancyasthetoneofthispaper。EveryslipofanOxonianorCantabrigianwhowriteshisfirstleader，assumesthatwesubduedtheearthbeforewesatdowntowritethisparticular"Times。"Onewouldthink，theworldwasonitskneestothe"Times"
　　Office，foritsdailybreakfast。Butthisarroganceiscalculated。
　　Whowouldcareforit，ifit"surmised，"or"daredtoconfess，"or"venturedtopredict，"&c。No；_itisso_，andsoitshallbe。
　　Themoralityandpatriotismofthe"Times"claimsonlytoberepresentative，andbynomeansideal。Itgivestheargument，notofthemajority，butofthecommandingclass。ItseditorsknowbetterthantodefendRussia，orAustria，orEnglishvestedrights，onabstractgrounds。Buttheygiveavoicetotheclasswho，atthemoment，takethelead；andtheyhaveaninstinctforfindingwherethepowernowlies，whichiseternallyshiftingitsbanks。
　　Sympathizingwith，andspeakingfortheclassthatrulesthehour，yet，beingapprisedofeveryground—swell，everyChartistresolution，everyChurchsquabble，everystrikeinthemills，theydetectthefirsttremblingsofchange。Theywatchthehardandbitterstrugglesoftheauthorsofeachliberalmovement，yearbyyear，——watchingthemonlytotauntandobstructthem，——until，atlast，whentheyseethatthesehaveestablishedtheirfact，thatpowerisonthepointofpassingtothem，——theystrikein，withthevoiceofamonarch，astonishthosewhomtheysuccor，asmuchasthosewhomtheydesert，andmakevictorysure。Ofcourse，theaspirantsseethatthe"Times"isoneofthegoodsoffortune，nottobewonbutbywinningtheircause。
　　"Punch"isequallyanexpressionofEnglishgoodsense，asthe"LondonTimes。"Itisthecomicversionofthesamesense。Manyofitscaricaturesareequaltothebestpamphlets，andwillconveytotheeyeinaninstantthepopularviewwhichwastakenofeachturnofpublicaffairs。Itssketchesareusuallymadebymasterlyhands，andsometimeswithgenius；thedelightofeveryclass，becauseuniformlyguidedbythattastewhichistyrannicalinEngland。Itisanewtraitofthenineteenthcentury，thatthewitandhumorofEngland，asinPunch，sointhehumorists，Jerrold，Dickens，Thackeray，Hood，havetakenthedirectionofhumanityandfreedom。
　　The"Times，"likeeveryimportantinstitution，showsthewaytoabetter。ItisalivingindexofthecolossalBritishpower。Itsexistencehonorsthepeoplewhodaretoprintalltheyknow，daretoknowallthefacts，anddonotwishtobeflatteredbyhidingtheextentofthepublicdisaster。Thereisalwayssafetyinvalor。I
　　wishIcouldadd，thatthisjournalaspiredtodeservethepoweritwields，byguidanceofthepublicsentimenttotheright。Itisusuallypretended，inParliamentandelsewhere，thattheEnglishpresshasahightone，——whichithasnot。Ithasanimperialtone，asofapowerfulandindependentnation。Butaswithotherempires，itstoneispronetobeofficial，andevenofficinal。The"Times"
　　sharesallthelimitationsofthegoverningclasses，andwishesnevertobeinaminority。Ifonlyitdaredtocleavetotheright，toshowtherighttobetheonlyexpedient，andfeeditsbatteriesfromthecentralheartofhumanity，itmightnothavesomanymenofrankamongitscontributors，butgeniuswouldbeitscordialandinvincibleally；itmightnowandthenbearthebruntofformidablecombinations，butnojournalisruinedbywisecourage。ItwouldbethenaturalleaderofBritishreform；itsproudfunction，thatofbeingthevoiceofEurope，thedefenderoftheexileandpatriotagainstdespots，wouldbemoreeffectuallydischarged；itwouldhavetheauthoritywhichisclaimedforthatdreamofgoodmennotyetcometopass，anInternationalCongress；andtheleastofitsvictorieswouldbetogivetoEnglandanewmillenniumofbeneficentpower。
　　ChapterXVI_Stonehenge_
　　IthadbeenagreedbetweenmyfriendMr。C。andme，thatbeforeIleftEngland，weshouldmakeanexcursiontogethertoStonehenge，whichneitherofushadseen；andtheprojectpleasedmyfancywiththedoubleattractionofthemonumentandthecompanion。Itseemedabringingtogetherofextremepoints，tovisittheoldestreligiousmonumentinBritain，incompanywithherlatestthinker，andonewhoseinfluencemaybetracedineverycontemporarybook。Iwasgladtosumupalittlemyexperiences，andtoexchangeafewreasonablewordsontheaspectsofEngland，withamanonwhosegeniusIsetaveryhighvalue，andwhohadasmuchpenetration，andassevereatheoryofduty，asanypersoninit。OnFriday，7thJuly，wetooktheSouthWesternRailwaythroughHampshiretoSalisbury，wherewefoundacarriagetoconveyustoAmesbury。Thefineweatherandmyfriend’slocalknowledgeofHampshire，inwhichheiswonttospendapartofeverysummer，madethewayshort。Therewasmuchtosay，too，ofthetravellingAmericans，andtheirusualobjectsinLondon。
　　Ithoughtitnatural，thattheyshouldgivesometimetoworksofartcollectedhere，whichtheycannotfindathome，andalittletoscientificclubsandmuseums，which，atthismoment，makeLondonveryattractive。Butmyphilosopherwasnotcontented。Artand`highart’isafavoritetargetforhiswit。"Yes，_Kunst_isagreatdelusion，andGoetheandSchillerwastedagreatdealofgoodtimeonit："——andhethinkshediscoversthatoldGoethefoundthisout，and，inhislaterwritings，changedhistone。Assoonasmenbegintotalkofart，architecture，andantiquities，nothinggoodcomesofit。HewishestogothroughtheBritishMuseuminsilence，andthinksasinceremanwillseesomething，andsaynothing。Inthesedays，hethought，itwouldbecomeanarchitecttoconsultonlythegrimnecessity，andsay，`Icanbuildyouacoffinforsuchdeadpersonsasyouare，andforsuchdeadpurposesasyouhave，butyoushallhavenoornament。’Forthescience，hehad，ifpossible，evenlesstolerance，andcomparedthesavansofSomersetHousetotheboywhoaskedConfucius"howmanystarsinthesky？"Confuciusreplied，"hemindedthingsnearhim："thensaidtheboy，"howmanyhairsarethereinyoureyebrows？"Confuciussaid，"hedidn’tknowanddidn’tcare。"
　　StillspeakingoftheAmericans，C。complainedthattheydislikethecoldnessandexclusivenessoftheEnglish，andrunawaytoFrance，andgowiththeircountrymen，andareamused，insteadofmanfullystayinginLondon，andconfrontingEnglishmen，andacquiringtheirculture，whoreallyhavemuchtoteachthem。
　　ItoldC。thatIwaseasilydazzled，andwasaccustomedtoconcedereadilyallthatanEnglishmanwouldask；Isaweverywhereinthecountryproofsofsenseandspirit，andsuccessofeverysort：I
　　likethepeople：theyareasgoodastheyarehandsome；theyhaveeverything，andcandoeverything：butmeantime，Isurelyknow，that，assoonasIreturntoMassachusetts，Ishalllapseatonceintothefeeling，whichthegeographyofAmericainevitablyinspires，thatweplaythegamewithimmenseadvantage；thatthereandnothereistheseatandcentreoftheBritishrace；andthatnoskilloractivitycanlongcompetewiththeprodigiousnaturaladvantagesofthatcountry，inthehandsofthesamerace；andthatEngland，anoldandexhaustedisland，mustonedaybecontented，likeotherparents，tobestrongonlyinherchildren。ButthiswasapropositionwhichnoEnglishmanofwhateverconditioncaneasilyentertain。
　　WeleftthetrainatSalisbury，andtookacarriagetoAmesbury，passingbyOldSarum，abare，treelesshill，oncecontainingthetownwhichsenttwomemberstoParliament，——now，notahut；——and，arrivingatAmesbury，stoppedattheGeorgeInn。
　　Afterdinner，wewalkedtoSalisburyPlain。Onthebroaddowns，underthegraysky，notahousewasvisible，nothingbutStonehenge，whichlookedlikeagroupofbrowndwarfsinthewideexpanse，——
　　Stonehengeandthebarrows，——whichroselikegreenbossesabouttheplain，andafewhayricks。Onthetopofamountain，theoldtemplewouldnotbemoreimpressive。Farandwideafewshepherdswiththeirflockssprinkledtheplain，andabagmandrovealongtheroad。
　　ItlookedasifthewidemargingiveninthiscrowdedisletothisprimevaltemplewereaccordedbythevenerationoftheBritishracetotheoldeggoutofwhichalltheirecclesiasticalstructuresandhistoryhadproceeded。Stonehengeisacircularcolonnadewithadiameterofahundredfeet，andenclosingasecondandathirdcolonnadewithin。Wewalkedroundthestones，andclamberedoverthem，towontourselveswiththeirstrangeaspectandgroupings，andfoundanookshelteredfromthewindamongthem，whereC。lightedhiscigar。Itwaspleasanttosee，that，justthissimplestofallsimplestructures，——twouprightstonesandalintellaidacross，——
　　hadlongoutstoodalllaterchurches，andallhistory，andwerelikewhatismostpermanentonthefaceoftheplanet：these，andthebarrows，——meremounds，（ofwhichthereareahundredandsixtywithinacircleofthreemilesaboutStonehenge，）likethesamemoundontheplainofTroy，whichstillmakesgoodtothepassingmarineronHellespont，thevauntofHomerandthefameofAchilles。Withintheenclosure，growbuttercups，nettles，and，allaround，wildthyme，daisy，meadowsweet，goldenrod，thistle，andthecarpetinggrass。
　　Overus，larksweresoaringandsinging，——asmyfriendsaid，"thelarkswhichwerehatchedlastyear，andthewindwhichwashatchedmanythousandyearsago。"Wecountedandmeasuredbypacesthebiggeststones，andsoonknewasmuchasanymancansuddenlyknowoftheinscrutabletemple。Thereareninety—fourstones，andtherewereonceprobablyonehundredandsixty。Thetempleiscircular，anduncovered，andthesituationfixedastronomically，——thegrandentranceshere，andatAbury，beingplacedexactlynortheast，"asallthegatesoftheoldcaverntemplesare。"Howcamethestoneshere？
　　forthese_sarsens_orDruidicalsandstones，arenotfoundinthisneighborhood。The_sacrificialstone_，asitiscalled，istheonlyoneinalltheseblocks，thatcanresisttheactionoffire，andasI
　　readinthebooks，musthavebeenbroughtonehundredandfiftymiles。
　　Onalmosteverystonewefoundthemarksofthemineralogist’shammerandchisel。Thenineteensmallerstonesoftheinnercircleareofgranite。I，whohadjustcomefromProfessorSedgwick’sCambridgeMuseumofmegatheriaandmastodons，wasreadytomaintainthatsomeclevererelephantsormylodontahadborneoffandlaidtheserocksoneonanother。Onlythegoodbeastsmusthaveknownhowtocutawell—wroughttenonandmortise，andtosmooththesurfaceofsomeofthestones。Thechiefmysteryis，thatanymysteryshouldhavebeenallowedtosettleonsoremarkableamonument，inacountryonwhichallthemuseshavekepttheireyesnowforeighteenhundredyears。Wearenotyettoolatetolearnmuchmorethanisknownofthisstructure。SomediligentFellowesorLayardwillarrive，stonebystone，atthewholehistory，bythatexhaustiveBritishsenseandperseverance，sowhimsicalinitschoiceofobjects，whichleavesitsownStonehengeorChoirGaurtotherabbits，whilstitopenspyramids，anduncoversNineveh。Stonehenge，invirtueofthesimplicityofitsplan，anditsgoodpreservation，isasifnewandrecent；and，athousandyearshence，menwillthankthisagefortheaccuratehistoryitwillyeteliminate。Wewalkedinandout，andtookagainandagainafreshlookattheuncannystones。Theoldsphinxputourpettydifferencesofnationalityoutofsight。Totheseconsciousstoneswetwopilgrimswerealikeknownandnear。WecouldequallywellreveretheiroldBritishmeaning。Myphilosopherwassubduedandgentle。Inthisquiethouseofdestiny，hehappenedtosay，"IplantcypresseswhereverIgo，andifIaminsearchofpain，Icannotgowrong。"Thespot，thegrayblocks，andtheirrudeorder，whichrefusestobedisposedof，suggestedtohimtheflightofages，andthesuccessionofreligions。TheoldtimesofEnglandimpressC。much：hereadslittle，hesays，intheselastyears，but"_ActaSanctorum_，"thefifty—threevolumesofwhichareinthe"LondonLibrary。"HefindsallEnglishhistorytherein。Hecansee，ashereads，theoldsaintofIonasittingthere，andwriting，amantomen。The_ActaSanctorum_showplainlythatthemenofthosetimesbelievedinGod，andintheimmortalityofthesoul，astheirabbeysandcathedralstestify：now，eventhepuritanismisallgone。