ate them largely； BY THE POUND！ I laughed at the fellow； but I thoroughly understood him； so would every Englishman； for at the root of our being is a hatred of parsimony。 This manifests itself in all sorts of ludicrous or contemptible forms； but no less is it the source of our finest qualities。 An Englishman desires； above all； to live largely； on that account he not only dreads； but hates and despises； poverty。 His virtues are those of the free…handed and warm…hearted opulent man； his weaknesses e of the sense of inferiority （intensely painful and humiliating） which attaches in his mind to one who cannot spend and give； his vices； for the most part； originate in loss of self…respect due to loss of secure position。
XXII
For a nation of this temper； the movement towards democracy is fraught with peculiar dangers。 Profoundly aristocratic in his sympathies； the Englishman has always seen in the patrician class not merely a social； but a moral； superiority； the man of blue blood was to him a living representative of those potencies and virtues which made his ideal of the worthy life。 Very significant is the cordial alliance from old time between nobles and people； free； proud homage on one side answering to gallant championship on the other； both classes working together in the cause of liberty。 However great the sacrifices of the mon folk for the maintenance of aristocratic power and splendour； they were gladly made； this was the Englishman's religion； his inborn