ly but one class; no wise man but needed first of all to
be a brave man, or he never had been wise. The noble Priest was
always a noble Aristos to begin with, and something more to end
with. Your Luther, your Knox, your Anselm, Becket, Abbot Samson,
Samuel Johnson, if they had not been brave enough, by what
possibility could they ever have been wise?--If, from accident or
forethought, this your Actual Aristocracy have got discriminated
into Two Classes, there can be no doubt but the Priest Class is
the more dignified; supreme over the other, as governing head is
over active hand. And yet in practice again, it is likeliest the
reverse will be found arranged;--a sign that the arrangement is
already vitiated; that a split is introduced into it, which will
widen and widen till the whole be rent asunder.

In England, in Europe generally, we may say that these two
Virtualities have unfolded themselves into Actualities, in by far
the noblest and richest manner any region of the world ever saw.
A spiritual Guideship, a practical Governorship, fruit of the
grand conscious endeavours, say rather of the immeasurable
unconscious instincts and necessities of men, have established
themselves; very strange to behold. Everywhere, while so much
has been forgotten, you find the King's Palace, and the
Viceking's Castle, Mansion, Manorhouse; till there is not an
inch of ground from sea to sea but has both its King and
Viceking, long due series of Viceking, its Squire, Earl, Duke or
whatever the title of him,--to whom you have given the land that
he may govern you in it.

More touching still, there is not a hamlet where poor peasants
congregate, but by one means and another a Church-Apparatus has
been got together,--roofed edifice, with revenues and belfries;
pulpit, reading-desk, with Books and Methods: possibility, in
short, and strict prescription, That a man stand there and speak
of spiritual things to men. It is beautiful;--even in its great
obscuration and decadence, it is among the beautifulest, most
touching objects one sees on the Earth. This Speaking Man has
indeed, in these times, wandered terribly from the point; has,
alas, as it were totally lost sight of the point: yet, at
bottom, whom have we to compare with him? Of all public
functionaries boarded and lodged on the Industry of Modern
Europe, is there one worthier of the board he has? A man even
professing, and never so languidly making still some endeavou