Men such as these are the true lifeblood of the country to which
they belong. They elevate and uphold it, fortify and ennoble it,
and shed a glory over it by the example of life and character
which they have bequeathed. "The names and memories of great
men," says an able writer, "are the dowry of a nation. Widowhood,
overthrow, desertion, even slavery, cannot take away from her this
sacred inheritance.... Whenever national life begins to
quicken.... the dead heroes rise in the memories of men, and
appear to the living to stand by in solemn spectatorship and
approval. No country can be lost which feels herself overlooked
by such glorious witnesses. They are the salt of the earth, in
death as well as in life. What they did once, their descendants
have still and always a right to do after them; and their example
lives in their country, a continual stimulant and encouragement
for him who has the soul to adopt it." (20)
But it is not great men only that have to be taken into account in
estimating the qualities of a nation, but the character that
pervades the great body of the people. When Washington Irving
visited Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scott introduced him to many of his
friends and favourites, not only amongst the neighbouring farmers,
but the labouring peasantry. "I wish to show you," said Scott,
"some of our really excellent plain Scotch people.
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