Page:First impressions of England and its people.djvu/32

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XXIV
CONTENTS.
acter of Immense Range; more in Extremes than those of the Scotch.—Front Rank of British Intellect in which there stands no Scotchman; probable Cause. —A Class of English, on the other Hand, greatly lower than the Scotch; naturally less Curious; acquire, in Consequence, less of the Developing Pabulum.—The main Cause of the Difference to be found, however, in the very dissimilar Religious Character of the two Countries.—The Scot naturally less independent than the Englishman; strengthened, however, where his Character most needs Strength, by his Religion.—The Independence of the Englishman subjected at the present Time to two distinct Adverse Influences,—the Modern Poor Law and the Tenant-at-will System.—Walsall.—Liverpool.—Sort of Lodging-houses in which one is sure to meet many Dissenters. 389
CHAPTER XX.
Dissent a Mid-formation Organism in England.—Church of Englandism strong among the Upper and Lower Classes: its Peculiar Principle of Strength among the Lower; among the Upper.—The Church of England one of the strongest Institutions of the Country.—Puseyism, however, a Canker-worm at its Root; Partial Success of the Principle.—The Type of English Dissent essentially different from that of Scotland; the Causes of the Difference deep in the Diverse Character of the two Peoples.—Insulated Character of the Englishman productive of Independency.—Adhesive Character of the Scotch productive of Presbyterianism.—Attempts to legislate for the Scotch in Chilian Matters on an English Principle always unfortunate.—Erastianism essentially a different thing to the English Churchman from what it is to the Scot.—Reason why.—Independent Scotch Congregation in a Rural District. —Rarely well based; and why.—Conclusion. 407