ENGLAND 



491 



describes the men as painting themselves with woad, wearing skius, and as having moustaches, 

 but no beards. 



The Romans themselves apparently did not mix with the Britons. Their position was 

 that of a military garrison, somewhat similar to that of the English in India and Egypt. 



Next in order come the Scandinavian and Teutonic elements. The constant harrying of 

 our coast by northern pirates, Norsemen and Danes, and the recurring hordes of Angles, 

 Saxons, and Jutes, brought fresh blood into the people among whom they formed settlements. 

 The Norman Conquest added another layer of Celtic and Latin and Teutonic stock. From the 

 reign of Stephen to that of Edward III. 

 Flemings were introduced and settled 

 here from time to time, while Dutch, 

 French, and other refugees sought refuge 

 in this land of freedom. When it is 

 remembered that all these peoples have 

 intermingled in the narrow compass of 

 our shores, it will be admitted that it 

 requires some courage to attempt to 

 resolve the physical and mental charac- 

 teristics of the Englishman into their 

 original racial elements. It is a truism 

 of science that chemical fusion of various 

 substances results in a product which 

 differs materially from its constituents. 

 In the same way it may be said that 

 this motley amalgam of races has pro- 

 duced a type which has well-marked 

 characteristics of its own. 



Physically the English are among 

 the finest of the civilised races. Their 

 tall stature they owe to the Saxon and 

 Scandinavian elements in their composi- 

 tion. The fair complexion, blue eyes, 

 and florid aspect so often seen among 

 them are also inherited from the 

 same sources. They are remarkable for 

 vigour of body and power of endurance. 

 Their constitutional energy is probably 

 greater than that of any other people, 

 and shows itself in a fondness for out- 

 do'or life. The national enthusiasm for 

 sport and athletics is a combination of 



Photo by Mr. W. II. Bland] 



A DERBYSHIRE YEOMAN. 



[Derby. 



the Celtic love of amusement and the 

 Scandinavian delight in bodily prowess. 

 From the Celt the Englishman probably derives some of his mental alertness, sociability, wit, 

 and humour. Patience, reserve, love of adventure, and a certain coldness of manner must 

 be ascribed to the Teutonic part of his ancestry. In fact, there are few of his mental 

 characteristics which cannot be traced to one or other of these great stocks. At the same 

 time it must be admitted that the English temperament has moulded the leading qualities of 

 the various races from which it is drawn into a type which is as markedly distinct as the 

 English physique. 



The English character has been largely developed by its historical surroundings. In the 

 days of the Plantagenets England was very far from being the centre of a great colonial 



