in The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson
English veracity seems to result on a sounder animal structure, as if they could afford it. They are blunt in saying what they think, sparing of promises, and they require plain dealing of others. – pp.524
The Englishman finds no relief from reflection, except in reflection. When he wishes for amusement, he goes to work. Religion, the theatre and the reading of books of his country all feed and increase his natural melancholy… It (the police) thinks itself bound in duty to respect the pleasures and rare gayety of this inconsolable nation; and their well-known courage is entirely attributable to their disgust of life. – pp.529
Of the constitutional force which yields the supplies of the day, they have the more than enough; the excess which creates courage on fortitude, genius in poetry, invention in mechanics, enterprise in trade, magnificence in wealth, splendor in ceremonies, petulance and projects in youth. – pp. 531
