INHABITANTS. 39 



examples of the steadiness exhibited by English soldiers in the field, their firmness 

 in battle, and unshaken fortitude under defeat. Even the coarse boxing-matches 

 now prohibited by law, but until recently admired by the multitude, bear witness 

 to the possession of an exuberancy of spirit. But though the Englishman loves 

 fighting for fighting's sake, he loves it still more because of the advantages that 

 may be derived from it. A barren victory, in mere satisfaction of his vanity, does 

 not content him, for he always aims at conquest. It has long been matter of 

 observation that he thinks more of the tangible advantages resulting from a success 

 than his old rival on the other side of the Channel.* As depicted by himself, the 

 typical Englishman appears under the guise of "John Bull," a plain, irascible, but 

 good-natured old fellow, without taste.f but abounding in strong common sense, and 

 fond of his purse and stomach. " Jacques Bonhomme," by a remarkable contrast, 

 is represented as being lean, poor, and sad, whilst " John Bull " is fat, rich, and 

 jovial. 



British energy, when exhibited for the personal advantage of individuals 

 struggling for existence, is often apt to degenerate into ferocity. An Englishman 

 desirous of making his way through a crowd pushes aside without ceremony those 

 who obstruct his progress. The independence of which he is so proud is often 

 nothing but an absolute want of sympathy for others.^ If he yields to his natural 

 inclinations, he becomes hard, cold, and egotistic. Even in the presence of 

 strangers he frequently takes up the attitude of an enemy. His early national 

 history tells us of frightful cruelties committed in cold blood, and not, as in other 

 countries, in the exaltation of fanaticism or revenge. Abroad, whether he make 

 his appearance as an exacting and distant master, as a merchant eager to transact 

 business, or merely as a curious traveller enveloped in an atmosphere of frigidity, 

 he inspires no feelings of love. He is respected, and sometimes even admired, but 

 occasionally it happens that he is hated. He knows it, and it does not trouble 

 him. The islander is an island unto himself § He never changes, and his impas- 

 sive face does not reflect his inner life. It is not that he is without feelings of 

 afiection : quite the contrary. If he says little, and only after due reflection, it is 

 because to him every word is the forerunner of an action.il He loves devotedly, 

 and forms fast friendships, but represses his passions, and by doing so renders them 

 all the more potent. 



There is not, perhaps, a people in existence amongst whom the changes 

 resulting from social development have been more considerable than in the 

 English. No difference could be greater than that between the ferocious Saxon 

 and Dane and the modern English gentleman, who is discreet, reserved in his 

 speech, kindly in his manners, obliging, affable, and generous. Yet this great 

 change has taken place almost imperceptibly, and by slow degrees. The same 

 man, now so remarkable in many respects as a product of civilisation, was a 



* Alph. Esquiros, " L'Angleterre et la vie anglaise." 



t Washington Irving, " An American in London." 



î Bulwer, "England and the English." 



§ Emerson, " English Traits." 



Il Auguste Laugel, "De l'aristocratie anglaise" {Revue des Be>tx-Mondes, 1872). 



