38 



ENGLAND. (SOCIAL STATE). 



For tin- population of England aiul Wales in 1801, 

 1811, 1821, and 1831, the reader is referred to a 

 table given under Britain, at page 715, vol. I. 



Regarding the character of the English, we ven- 

 ture to extract an estimate, which originally appeared 

 in Blackwood's Magazine for 1829. 



The Saxons of England exist nearly pure on its 

 eastern coasts, are extensively spread over the whole 

 of its surface, and perhaps equal in number all the 

 other races that enter into the composition of Eng- 

 lish population. The Saxon Englishman (for brevity, 

 I may use only the latter name) is distinguished from 

 other races by a stature rather low, owing chiefly to 

 the neck and limbs being short, by the trunk and 

 vital system being large, and the complexion, irides, 

 and hair light; and by the face being broad, the 

 forehead large, and the upper and back part of the 

 head round, and rather small. In his walk, the 

 Englishman rolls, as it were, on his centre. This is 

 caused by the breadth of the trunk, and the compa- 

 rative weakness of the limbs. The broader muscles, 

 therefore, of the former, aid progression by a sort of 

 rolling motion, throwing forward first one side and 

 then another. So entirely does this depend on the 

 breadth of the trunk, that even a temporary increase 

 of it produces this effect. Men who become fat, and 

 women who, having born many children, have the 

 heads of the thigh bones farther separated, always 

 adopt this mode of progression. 



The mental faculties of the Englishman are not 

 absolutely of the highest order ; but the absence of 

 passion gives them relatively a great increase, and 

 leaves a mental character equally remarkable for its 

 simplicity and its practical worth. The most 

 striking of those points in the English character, 

 which may be called fundamental, are cool obser- 

 vation, unparalleled single-mindedness, and patient 

 perseverance. This character is remarkably homo- 

 geneous. 



The cool observation of the Englishman is the 

 foundation of some other subordinate, but yet impor- 

 tant, points in his character. One of the most 

 remarkable of these, is that real curiosity, but 

 absence of wonder, which makes the " nil admirari " 

 a maxim of English society. It is greatly associated, 

 also, with that reserve for which the English are not 

 less remarkable. 



The single-mindedness of the Englishman is the 

 foundation of that sincerity and bluntness which are 

 perhaps his chief characteristics ; which fit him so 

 well for the business of life, and on which his com- 

 mercial character depends ; which make him hate 

 (if he can hate any thing) all crookedness of proce- 

 dure, and which alarm him even at the insincerities 

 and compliances of politeness. 



The perseverance of the Englishman is the founda- 

 tion of that habitude which guides so many of his own 

 actions, and that custom in which he participates 

 with all his neighbours. It is this which makes uni- 

 versal cant, as it has been profanely termed,* not 

 reasoning, the basis of his morals, and precedent, 

 not justice, the basis of his jurisprudence. But it is 



The word must not here be understood as implying hypo 

 ericy, of which the Saxon temperament is very innocent. 



| this also which, when his rights are outraged, pro- 

 duces that grumbling which, when distinctly heard, 

 effectually protects them ; and it is this which creates 

 that public spirit to which, on great emergencies, he 

 rises with all his fellow-countrymen, and in which 

 he persists until its results astonish even the nations 

 around him. 



Now, a little reflection will show, that of the three 

 fundamental qualities I have mentioned, the first 

 seeming may easily be less amiable than the final 

 result shall be useful. To a stranger of differently 

 constructed mind, the cold observation, and, in par- 

 ticular, the slowness and reserve which must accom- 

 pany it, may seem unsociable ; but they are insepa- 

 rable from such a construction of mind, and they 

 indicate, not pride, but that respect for his feelings 

 which the possessor thinks them entitled to, and 

 which he would not violate in others. The dignity, 

 therefore, which in this case the Englishman feels, is 

 not hauteur; and he is as rarely insolent to those 

 who are below, as timid to those who are above 

 him. 



In regard to the absence of passion from the Eng- 

 lish mind, it is this which forbids one to be charmed 

 with music, to laugh at comedy, to cry at tragedy, 

 to show any symptom of joy or sorrow in the acci- 

 dents of real life ; which has no accurate notion of 

 grief or wretchedness, and cannot attach any sort of 

 meaning to the word ecstasy ; and which, for all 

 these reasons, has a perfect perception of whatever 

 is ridiculous. Hence it is, that, in his domestic, his 

 social, and his public relations, it is perhaps less 

 affection than duty that guides the conduct of an 

 Englishman ; and, if any one question the moral 

 grandeur which this sentiment may attain, let him 

 call to mind the example of it, which, just before the 

 victory of Trafalgar, was given by Nelson in the 

 simple and sublime communication to his fleet 

 "England expects every man to do his duty!" 

 Which is the instance tliat equals this even in the 

 forged records of Roman glory? Happily, too, the 

 excess of hatred is as little known to the Englishman 

 as excess of love ; and revenge is abhorrent to his 

 nature. Even in the pugilistic combat he shakes 

 hands with his antagonist before he begins ; he scorns 

 to strike him when he is down ; and, whether van- 

 quished or victor, he leaves his antagonist neither 

 cast down nor triumphant. 



The extraordinary value of such a character is 

 obvious enough. British liberty and British com- 

 merce are its results : neither the Scottish nor Irish 

 mind would have attained them. 



Contents of the article, England. 



Page 



Sketch of the Civil History of England, 1 



Sketch of the Ecclesiastical History of England, . .11 



Antiquities and Architecture, 23 



Topography, 24 



Agriculture, i .... 26 



Manufactures and Commerce, 31 



Government and Laws . . 31 



Church, 31 



Language, 32 



Literature, ....33 



Social State, 35 



