Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/264

 228 Readings in European History Manners and customs of the English. Character of the Normans or by selling their persons into foreign countries ; although it is characteristic of this people to be more inclined to rev- eling than to the accumulation of wealth. . . . Drinking in parties was an universal practice, in which occupation they passed entire nights as well as days. They consumed their whole substance in mean and despicable houses, unlike the Normans and French, who live frugally in noble and splendid mansions. The vices attendant on drunk- enness, which enervate the human mind, followed ; hence it came about that when they engaged William, with more rash- ness and precipitate fury than military skill, they doomed themselves and their country to slavery by a single, and that an easy, victory. For nothing is less effective than rashness ; and what begins with violence quickly ceases or is repelled. The English at that time wore short garments, reaching to the mid-knee ; they had their hair cropped, their beards shaven, their arms laden with golden bracelets, their skin adorned with tattooed designs. They were accustomed to eat till they became surfeited, and to drink till they were sick. These latter qualities they imparted to their con- querors; as to the rest, they adopted their manners. I would not, however, have these bad propensities ascribed to the English universally; I know that many of the clergy at that day trod the path of sanctity by a blameless life ; I know that many of the laity, of all ranks and conditions, in this nation were well-pleasing to God. Be injustice far from this account; the accusation does not involve the whole, indiscriminately; but as in peace the mercy of God often cherishes the bad and the good together, so, equally, .does his severity sometimes include them both in captivity. The Normans that I may speak of them also were at that time, and are even now, exceedingly particular in their dress and delicate in their food, but not so to excess. They are a race inured to war, and can hardly live without it ; fierce in rushing against the enemy, and, where force fails of success, ready to use stratagem or to corrupt by bribery. As I have said, they live in spacious houses with