m
• Ih
'Silos
CRANIA BRITANNICA. [CHAP. VI .
example exists in the case of Norwich. At the period to which we have referred the introduction
of Flemings into Wales and Scotland, the beginning of the twelfth century, strangers
from Flanders resorted to the city of Norwich, carrying with them the woollen manufacture.
Again, in the reign of Edward III. a fresh accession to their numbers occurred, in consequence
of this prince having expressly iuvited Flemish weavers, dyers, and fuUers to settle in England,
promisiag them his protection, on condition of their communicating the knowledge of their
several trades to his subjects. And in the time of EKzabeth, when the ferocious Duke of
Alva's persecutions drove the inhabitants of the Low Countries from their homes, it is said that
no less than 4000 Flemings transferred themselves to Norwich. From this latter immigration
many respectable English families date their origin. Other smaU colonies of different nations
are reported to have settled on the shores of the British islands at various periods—as a small
settlement of Spaniards on the south coast of Ireland in the reign of Elizabeth, Spanish settlers
in Galway, German settlers in Ireland also, the Dutch followers of William of Orange in the
north, and French colonists in Ulster, aU of whom are of minor importance to the Scotch
who have so extensively established themselves in Ulster, particularly in counties Down and
Antrim *.
We have now passed in review the various elements of which, at different ages, " the
people of this blessed land " have been constituted, and out of which its population has arisen.
At diverse epochs this constitution has been changed; but in almost all, since the earliest ages
of which we have any record, the blood of the inhabitants, taken as a whole, must be regarded
as a compound. Still, it may be observed that its entire population may, at aU periods, be
referred to what have been regarded by ethnologists as two of the great primary races of
Europe—the Celtic, and the Teutonic,—the former beiag truly native, much more remotely
than any history can ascend; the latter entirely intrusive. Moreover it might still be affirmed
that, notwithstanding this long-continued mixture, there are yet millions of people in the
British islands whose liaeage almost exclusively belongs to one or the other of these great
divisions,—millions exclusively Celtic, or descended without such mixture as to produce any
great ethnical change of blood, from the aboriginal Britons and Hibernians; and millions
more nearly, or quite as exclusively Teutonic.
We have designedly conducted this ethnic review in as clear and complete a manner as our
space admitted, indifferent about introducing many " things acquainted and familiar."
Note.—1:0 explain apparent repetitions, it is necessary for the reader to know, that this
Chapter was prepared for the press some time before the two last Sections of Chapter V. were
written, and without any expectation that the subjects here taken up would be again considered;
so that, although the Sections alluded to come in their proper place before Chapter VI., this
latter took its form precedently.
(J. B. D.)
* Miscellaneous Essays contributed to the Ulster Journ. of Their neatness, order, and their " substance," aa well as more
Archsol. by Rev. A. Hume, D.C.L. The "blue-eyed" Pa- staid and reserved manners, continue to mark them out.
latines of Limerick are still quite distinguishable about Adare.
CHAP. VII.] ETHNOLOGICAL RELATIONS OF THE PRESENT POPULATION. 199
CHAPTER VII.
SKETCH OF THE PRESENT POPULATION OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS, SHOWING
ITS ETHNOLOGICAL RELATIONS TO ITS ANTECESSORS.
non vultus, non color unus.
Non comtoe • * * comee.—VIRGIL, ^neid. Lib. VI.
T H I S is an extensive and difficult subject, upon which very Httle that is trustworthy has been
written ; yet it is weU-deserving of an independent inquiry, and wiU demand years, as well as
volumes, for its express investigation. It must not be wholly passed over here, although a few
observations only can be recorded.
In the western regions of the islands the purest remains of the aborigines are to be met
with,—people who stUl retaiu the Celtic dialects. In Western IUBLAKD the peculiar character of
the natives proclaims their descent from a primeval race. They are wild, superstitious, vengeful,
addicted to extravagant legend, and timidly susceptible to every impression which can arouse
theii- fatalism or their fears. In sickness, these qualities are brought out in prominent relief,
their unreasonable alarm and their dread of paiu especially ; but so too are their fondness and
devotedness. They are the children of the British populations, incapable of ruling themselves in
any high sense, and requiring a fostering hand to carry on their improvement—of which
they stand in perpetual need. They show a great want of independence, and without extraneous
support they can accomplish little, and have always been apt to fall into confusion and a state
of degeneracy. The generous warmth of their feelings, often so cheering and gratifying, leads
them into many inconsistencies *. Their iU-matured projects too frequently terminate in disorder
and disaster. Their profuse expressions of service have but little meaning, if judged by the fruit
they produce. Instability is not regarded as any serious evil, but as a weakness at the most ; and
what in a higher race would be insincerity, is not appreciated by them at any such rate. Like
aU the pui-er aboriginal races of the islands, they are distinguished for cunning, which at times
passes into treachery ; stiU they are almost equally, and especially, marked by their quick intelligence,
good manners, and their ever-fresh humour t, and their women by their modesty and
chastity,
" the wild sweet-briery fence.
Which round the flowers of Erin dwells."
These latter occupy much more of the primeval position of inferiors and servants. No laboui' is
thought too severe for them, whilst their comforts of every kind are of minor importance. In their
physical peculiarities the western Irish are a fine people. They are certainly not remarkable for
smallness of statm-e, for they exceed the English of many districts in height, and the majority
are of full average size, many being above i t ; stiU they are not bulky J. Their heads are of
* the schoolboy heat,
Characters of the Ancient Irish," vindicates in a learned
The blind hysterics of the Celt—Tennyson, " I n Memoriam.
t Price's Essay, p. 107.
I The late Dr. John O'Donovan, in a memoir on the " Physical
and curious manner their claims to a gigantic size, and its
coincident graces and virtues. He arrives at this conclusion,
however amusing to the reader. " These historical passages
2 D 2