Mephistophiles in England Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1835 Excerpt: ... compliment," I replied; "but 1 think you are right. It is strange, too, how suddenly Gridiron takes a dislike to any person or set of people. He never fails to abuse the inoffensive Scotchmen. A short time since, a member of that harmless race, the Quakers, offended him, and he immediately became their bitterest enemy. He has attacked the Jews, and even the broom-girls, after the same fashion. I should imagine he never felt a warm friendship for any one: but when he does hate, he hates most cordially." "1 like a good hater," said my companion: "there is something honest, manly, and sincere about him. A good hater is what Coleridge would have called a psychological curiosity. It is a rare animal, and ought to be prized as such. Englishmen make poor haters. I am sorry to see all their fine old, national antipathies dying away. An Englishman does not hate a Frenchman, a Spaniard, a Scotchman, or an Irishman as he used. The climate appears almost too cold to cultivate that passion to perfection. The best specimens are to be found among more southern and eastern latitudes. The Spaniards hate the Portuguese--the Italians hate the Austrians--the Germans hate the French--the Poles hate the Russians--the Americans hatethe English--the Greeks hate the Turks--the Turks, the Franks--the Dutch, the Belgians: in fact, all over the world, except this miserable country, this laudable feeling exists in full force. Not only national hatred, but domestic hatred, universally flourishes. Men cherish it, feed it, and preserve it for generations. Scotland used to boast of her family feuds, and a few lingering embers of the old flame still exist. Ireland may for a long time to come be proud of her factions. England has nothing to be proud of except h...