A national character is but the successful parish character; just as the national speech is but the successful parish dialect, the dialect, that is, of the district which came to be more--in many cases but a little more--influential than other districts, and so set its yoke on books and on society.
Bagehot draws a parallel between national and parish characteristics, suggesting that broader identities emerge from local influences.
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He could have found the truth as a statesman just as he found it when a judge; but he never did find it.
They are solely concerned with his attractiveness as a candidate; they need not regard his efficiency as a ruler.
Carlyle has taught the present generation many lessons, and one of these is that 'God-fearing' armies are the best armies.
He gave an excellent moral example to his contemporaries, but he is an instance of those whose good dies with them, while their evil lives after them.
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