Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-10-25

The Eng ish language bids fair TO become extend.
cd over a vaster territory ami to be spoken by
greater numbers OF civilized people than any othc.
tongue nov eXiant. Il is I'te curious TO note the
gradual manner IN which this language, through
many difficulties and 10 sp!o Of numerous prelUir
ccs, became the yorOacu.'r language Of the itjsh
ises-tne result! Itself exhibiting the hardy qualities
OF the Saxon race whereby q conquered people came
!. length 10 predJmnate IN spirit and genius over
their cong leTOTs. We are led 10 the subicc; by an
ar,lcie from the British Spectator reviewing re-
Gently published antiquarian work which treats OF
these things.
When the Normars took possession Of England
and planted Their tsudai castles IN every quarter OF
ne hinSdou, they brought with them the French
LANGUAGE, which became Of course the language OF
the cour; and the mobility. The laws were written
90 that tongue II was used in deeds charters and
wits OF every KIND. y. the schools and ssfrinlfies
the pupils we-e taught French grammar and made
Use al books m thUt language; and 80 much was
the Saxon idlom ahhorred by the proud usurpcrs
who had eStao snsd ineir dominion over the Sa1on
race, that the mannef OF writing 1t lost although
Il continued 10 he spoken by the great mass OF the
people, who CHERISHED u as the last token OF their
nationality and o, the.r los, independence.
l. WAS slowly and gradually that the solid steady
and substantial. enlsnts Of the Saxon gcuus-theIr
stubborn spirit OF liberty nustured with suIlen
slerHncss during all Their Opp.esslon-lhor iniom-
liable hlrdhood, and that native touch of honesty,
which pleaded with PLATA, good, common sense
affords the best basis OF justice, both as IL regards
the perception of ones own rights and far de-
meanour towards others-It was slowly and grad.
uaI that these qualities came To mIn.le with the
chlyalrous feelings and sentiments OF the Norman
class, and 10 exhibit themselves az the pfedomInnnt
traits Of the English character The Norman Kings
began 10 understand IN due time what kind ola peo.
pie l; was over whom they TCigned, and with this
perception they thought less their French descent
and learned TO pride themselves upon being Eng
shmen. The power Of the people was ielt IN Eng
land earlier than in any other country of Europe;
and II is 10 be noted that the various concessions
granted by the crown from time 10 time were re-
garded not Us gifts grlcious'y awarded by soycr.
eiSny, out as the ncknJw eagnentS of rights Justly
pertaining To the people, and derived from the an
Gent us1ses OF the realm and the prescrplIvc pryi
iCgSs Of their ancestors.
The Anglo Saxon, or English language came TO
he used IN the Of law m the re On OF coward
III. The uIos, English instrument Of writing
known TO exist, bears the date Of 1913 some five
hundred years ago. 4 statute passed 10 1862 writ
ten IN Norman French, required that oil pleas in
the courts Of justice should be pleaded, debated und
decided ~ Eng.Ish.-The Rolls Of Plrilmcn,
however do not contain more than three or four en-
tries IN English before the reign of Henry the
Sixth. The language OF the Court continued 20 be-
French unit. the reign of II snry the Z ghIn. Under
Queen Elizabeth the glory Of the English language
broke forth in spencOur; and English Genius bay
ing combined Ui its elements, having assimIatcd
! blended aid bound into one homogeneous body ali
the noble qualities which make up rs mighty n tture
but which before had existed, u WERE dsintegrat-
\ cd and az seii-varancc, now rose into a command-
lns stature, and displayed 10 the world IN li,efa-
ture and IN arms th,t supremacy which slbseuucn:
| ares have only tended to confirm add to extend.
| The process Of naturalization being consummated
| az home, aud full grown yisour deyelopcJ the
impulse became strong at thi' period, to look abroad
for new he.ds where enterprise nigh, find space nd
oPpouunuyto exert itself. The vas, regions Of IN
new world gave ample room and verge enough
from that time the spirit Of the Anglo Saxon race
ms Continued 10 90 forth until n has reached the
ut'erm0st parts ofthe earth. Wherever il rests II
rules; knows not how 10 be s4bscrvicnr; IL sub
dues nature; It controls men. The Roman vigour
sunk onieebIed amid the wealth il had accumulated
and the luEprcs that rewarded success proved the
means Of Us downfall. Blu, this modern spirit
| mghueT than the Roman, employs wealth as tI,
instrument Of rs power; aui SO IOng as the world
cOn'7IuS corner for ACTIVITY 10 hustle In or for en-.
tcrprisc 70 mako new corques's, while a corrupt
dominion may be overturned, or a fresh empire Is.
tab,ished, long will the restless genius Of the An
giO Saxon generate an ever renewing energy by ~
own working, nor fad ia the mean time any pero,
for st.es5 repOsC.