They are a most diligent people.
They will think of all likely difficulties, but not of all possible ones.

They have not much imagination.

They are like steam engines which must keep to prepared tracks.

There they will hunt any man down, but let him trek for open country and they will be at a loss.
Therefore boldness, my friend; for ever boldness.

Remember as a nation they wear spectacles, which means that they are always peering.' Peter broke off to gloat over the wedges of geese and the strings of wild swans that were always winging across those plains.