of time, in the development of a nation; but it did not change the
essential character of the Anglo-Saxon, nor of his speech. The ravenous
Teuton could devour and assimilate all these new elements and be
himself--be Saxon still. The language of Bunyan and of the Bible, is
Saxon; and it is the language of the Englishman to-day in childhood and
in extremity. A man who is thoroughly in earnest--who is drowning--
speaks Saxon. Character, as much as speech, remains unaltered. There is
no trace of the Norman in the House of Commons, nor in the meetings at
Exeter Hall, nor in the home, nor life of the people anywhere.

The qualities which have made England great were brought across the
North Sea in those "keels" in the 5th Century. The Anglo-Saxon put on
the new civilization and institutions brought him by the Conquest, as
he would an embroidered garment; but the man within the garment, though
modified by civilization, has never essentially changed.



CHAPTER III.


It is not in the exploits of its Kings but in the aspirations and
struggles of its people, that the true history of a nation is to be
sought. During the rule and misrule of the two sons, and grandson, of
the Conqueror, England was steadily growing toward its ultimate form.

As Society outgrew the simple ties of blood which bound it together in
old Saxon England, the people had sought a larger protection in
combinations among fellow freemen, based upon identity of occupation.