A GLIMPSE OF FEANCE. 223 



our feet, which the geologists tell us is the life of the 

 globe. Were it not for it, who would not at times 

 despair of the French character ? As long as this 

 fiery core remains, I shall believe France capable of 

 recovering from any disaster to her arms. The 

 " mortal ripening " of the nation is stayed. 



The English and Germans, on the other hand, are 

 saved by great breadth and heartiness, and a consti- 

 tutional tendency to coarseness of fibre which art and 

 civilization abate very little. 



What is to save us in this country, I wonder, who 

 have not the French regnancy and fire, nor the Teu- 

 tonic heartiness and vis inertice, and who are already 

 in danger of refining or attenuating into a high-heeled, 

 short-jawed, genteel race, with more brains than 

 stomach, and more address than character ? 



