Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-09-05
Character Of the English People.
BY F. HOPKINS.

BY F. HOPKINS.
The general character of the Engiish
is certainly the most fantastic and absurd,
that ever fell TO the lot Of any known na-
ton. As they are made up OF contradic-
lions, it would be unjust TO give them any
Uniform designation. There is scarce a
virtue that adorus the mind, or vice
that degrades human nature, but may De
ascribed to them, as part of their nation
al character. But the former are often
rendered Intellectual by misappiicalion,
and the latter qualified by levity OF
manners, which shows them not to be con-
s,itutionaiy prevalent. An Englishman
will treat his enemy with great generosity,
and his friend with ingratitude and inhu-
manity. He will be lavish Of his wealth
when he has but lille OF it, and become
a miserly wretch when fortune pours her
fayors into his purse. He will brave the
utmost taEdsh;ps, and encounter the Sc
verest trials with heroic fortitude, and
will drown or hang himself because the
wind is 10 the east. He will lend large
sums to stranger 90 the slightest securi-
ty, and refuse his nearest relation the
means of subsistence. To-day, his heart
expands with social benevoieoce to-mor-
row, he is cold, suilen, and morose. To-
day. he possesses the wealth of Nabob
tomorrow, he refuses sixpeoce. In a
word, contradiction and absardity make
an Englishman.
The extreme ignorance Of the common
people of this civilized country, can
scarce be credited. 10 general, they know
nothing beyond the particular branch OF
business which their parents or the parish
happened TO choose for them. This, In
deed, they practice, with unremitting dill,
igence; but never think OF extending their
knowledge further. A manufacturer has
been brought up maker Of pin heads he
has been at the business 40 years, and OF
course makes pin-heads with great dexter
ity-but he cannot make whole pin for
his life. He thinks it is the perfection OF
human nature TO make pin-heads. He
leaves other matters TO inferior abilities.
1t is enough for him that lie believes il
the AthandsiGn Greed, reyereBces the
splendor Of the court, and makes pin heads.
This he conceives to be the SUN total Of
religion, politics and trade. He is sure
that London is the finest city in the world;
Blackfriar's Bridge the most superb Of all
bridges-and the river Thames the largest
river in the universe.
1t is 10 vain to tell him that there are
many rivers in America, in comparison Of
which the Thames is but ditch; that
there are single provinces there larger
than all England and that the colonies
formerly belonging to Great Britain, but
now Independent States, are vastly more
extensive than England, Wales, Scotland
and ireland. all taken together. He can
not conceive this. He goes into bis best
parIour, and looks OH map OF England
feet square, and on the other side of the
room, he sees map Of North and South
America, not more than two feet square,
and exclaims-a How can these things
possibly be lit is altogether quite i'm
possibler' He has read Arabian Nights
Entertainment, and he hears this wonder
full account Of America-he believes the
one as much as the other--that giant
should rise out Of the sea, or that the
Delaware should be larger than the
Thames, are equally incredible TO him.
Talk to him of the British Constitution.
he will tell you il is glorious Consli.
tuition y Ask him what it is, and he is
ignorant Of its first principlesi! Bnt he is
sure that he can make aud sell pin heads
under il. Mention the freedom Of cleo
tons, and he will tell you, that he does
not NEEDLE 10 these matters; that he lives
in borough; and that it is impossible
but that Squire Goose Cap must represent
that borough in Observation-Disclosures
Squire Goose Cap is acquainted With the
Prime Minister--and his Lady comes eve
ny Sunday to the parish church 10 an
embroidered gown, aud sits in pew lined
with green cloth. How can it be other
wise But these are things in which he
is not concerned. He believes in the
Athanasian Greed, honors the King-and
makes pin-heads what more can be
expected Of man!
From a late London paper.
rOuNT