298 STUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 
for a moment, can it be otherwise. Societies and 
associations, whatsoever may be their object, are the 
embodying into a tangible form, the private senti- 
ments and feelings of individuals. Those who have 
lived sufficiently long among other nations to be dis- 
enchanted of their national prejudices, or who are 
disposed to believe the concurring testimony of the 
most enlightened foreigners, need hardly be told 
that, intermixed with many qualities of a nobler 
description, the English, essentially, are a proud, 
ostentatious, although a generous people. The two 
first of these characteristics are more prominent, per- 
haps, than the third. By which we mean to say, that 
there are more instances of ostentatious munificence, 
than of secret and disinterested generosity. If any 
one imagines this censure undeserved, we would 
only refer him to any list of charitable donations, 
where, for one contribution prefaced by the initials 
of a secret donor, he will find twenty blazoned forth 
with ostentatious parade. Now, the effects of these 
national characteristics are shown in our public 
institutions. From the union of generosity and 
ostentation, — sentiments fostered by our enormous 
wealth, —has sprung a greater number of charitable 
and benevolent associations than are to be met with 
in any three European nations. These noble insti- 
tutions excite the admiration of every one who thinks 
upon the mass of human misery they tend to alleviate, 
and the incalculable good they disseminate to thou- 
sands, while they call forth the astonishment and 
praise of the surrounding nations. Here, our be- 
setting sin of pride does not enter; the meanest as 
‘well as the highest are invited to join in the good 
a. 
