The decline and fall of the British Empire - University of Oregon

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44 The Decline and Fall way, too, the valuable study of the Classics was in few instances turned to practical use, and thousands of educated Englishmen read how Athenian democracy perished at the hands of demagogues without ever dreaming that political, municipal, and working-class demagogues were destined to be among the most salient causes of the future downfall of England. There was, in fine, among the gentlefolk of England as a whole, a great absence of that spirit which animated Sidney Smith, when he cried, "i care not what political party be in power, but I have a passionate love for common justice and for common sense.'' IX. Inability of the British to defend themselves and their Empire, The last phase in the life of a dissolute fellow who dwells among hostile neighbours and has lost both
of the Bfitish Empire 45 his faith in God and his confidence in himself, comes when he is unable, nay even unwilling, to defend his home and the honour of his women- folk against the onslaughts of stronger men. For such an one we have little pity, and yet such, if the truth be told, is the state of those great Empires which fail to realize God's law concerning the survival of the fittest and lose their faith and pristine virility. This is the fate which befell the Roman Empire at the hands of vigorous barbarians. It was of no avail that it claimed to be a Chris- tian Empire. God, if we read history aright, seems to have no regard for those who call him "Lord, Lord,'' but fail to obey His laws of health and manly duty.* The Romans, I say, *•'* See the remarkable passage in which Jeremiah prefaces his account of the destruction of the Jews at the hands of a healthier nation with the words ** Shall I not visit for these things ? saith the Lord : and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this ? " Chap v. 9 j^
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