MAN AND NATURE. 309 



through England at the time of his history is excel- 

 lently described by Lord Macaulay ; and to his third 

 chapter we would willingly refer our readers for all 

 that further concerns the physical and social condition 

 of the country at this period, and for a very striking 

 picture of the contrast it presents with the England 

 of our own day. Such contrast is the stronger, of 

 course, when made with those earlier times of our 

 history of which we have spoken. 



We the rather make this reference, as no sufficient 

 space is left to us here to dwell upon the present 

 aspect of England in comparison with the past. In 

 the preceding parts of this article we have, indeed, said 

 much to illustrate it, and to suggest those modes of 

 viewing the subject which may enable our readers to 

 fill up the picture for themselves. It is, in truth, a 

 wonderful picture of human progress of progress 

 continuous, yet so marvellously quickened during the 

 last fifty years, that the dullest observer of the world 

 around him feels that he is living in a new age ; and 

 the most cautious philosopher scarcely ventures to set 

 a limit to what may hereafter be attained. While the 

 instincts and acts of other animals have remained 

 stationary from the earliest recorded time, human in- 

 telligence, working with, and in part controlling, the 

 great forces of nature, has covered the globe with 

 monuments of its activity and power. The whole may 

 be received as evidence of the high destiny which God 

 has given to man on the earth a destiny mingled at 

 present with much that is obscure to reason and pain- 

 ful to feeling, but capable of and intended, as we 



