The New-England Magazine (Volume 6)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1834. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... THE NEW-ENGLAND MAGAZINE. APRIL, 1834. ORIGINAL PAPERS.. THOUGHTS ON NATIONAL CHARACTER, ILLUSTRATED BY THE HISTORY OF GREECE. The English language, among its numerous wants, needs such a word as natiunalite; may we coin one for our present purpose, and talk about nationality ? But do not be startled, reader, and hastily shuffle over the leaves of this article, for it is not meant to be a dry essay, nor an allusion even to politics, with which, in sooth, you have been drugged to satiety. Nationality, treated philosophically, would., indeed, be a dry subject; because., in order to find the origin, and explain the causes of the difference of character which exists among nations, and out of which springs patriotism, we must not only ascend the stream of time to its source in the creation, and watch men dividing off into tribes; but we must plunge into the depths of the human heart, and enter upon that wide sea of speculation where metaphysicians are lost in mists of their own creation* In the very remotest periods of history we find men differing from each other not only in language, religion, and national feeling, but also in the very color of their skins, and the forms of their bodies; and we are forced to adopt the opinion, either that different impresses were stamped upon them at-the beginning of the world, or else that they must have been created thousands of centuries ago; for, since we know that the three thousand years last past have effected little or no change in their characteristics, it cannot be that it should have been brought about in double or treble that time. Now Divine Revelation forbids the latter supposition, while it says nothing to militate against the former; and we are thus relieved'from a thousand embarrassing inquiries into the operation of...