the dead heroes rise in the memories of men, and appear to the living to stand by in solemn spectatorship and approval.

No country can be lost which feels herself overlooked by such glorious witnesses.

They are the salt of the earth, in death as well as in life.

What they did once, their descendants have still and always a right to do after them; and their example lives in their country, a continual stimulant and encouragement for him who has the soul to adopt it." [1020] But it is not great men only that have to be taken into account in estimating the qualities of a nation, but the character that pervades the great body of the people.

When Washington Irving visited Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scott introduced him to many of his friends and favourites, not only amongst the neighbouring farmers, but the labouring peasantry.
"I wish to show you," said Scott, "some of our really excellent plain Scotch people.