scroll bearing the Gresham motto, and that the words were repeated in
smaller letters under each of the savages. 'Gardez Gresham', had been
chosen in the days of motto-choosing probably by some herald-at-arms as
an appropriate legend for signifying the peculiar attributes of the
family. Now, however, unfortunately, men were not of one mind as to
the exact idea signified. Some declared, with much heraldic warmth,
that it was an address to the savages, calling on them to take care of
their patron; while others, with whom I myself am inclined to agree,
averred with equal certainty that it was an advice to the people at
large, especially to those inclined to rebel against the aristocracy of
the county, that they should 'beware the Gresham'. The latter
signification would betoken strength--so said the holders of the
doctrine; the former weakness. Now the Greshams were ever a strong
people, and never addicted to humility.

We will not pretend to decide the question. Alas! either construction
was not equally unsuited to the family fortunes. Such changes had taken
place in England since the Greshams had founded themselves that no
savage could any longer in any way protect them; they must protect
themselves like common folk, or live unprotected. Nor now was it
necessary that any neighbour should shake in his shoes when the Gresham
frowned. It would have been to be wished that the present Gresham
himself could have been as indifferent to the frowns of some of his
neighbours.

But the old symbols remained, and may such symbols long remain among
us; they are still lovely and fit to be loved. They tell us of the
true and manly feelings of other times; and to him who can read aright,
they explain more fully, more truly than any written history can do,
how Englishmen have become what they are. England is not yet a