DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61893#0079
PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE. 53
somewhat of the native roughness of the
Briton. But the case is very different at
present. The Trench Revolution has been
as fatal to the manners as to the morals of
nations ; it has corrupted the one and bru-
talized the other. It is not to society in
such a state that he is to look for improve-
ment, nor indeed is such improvement
either the sole or the principal motive of
travelling at present, nor is it necessary to
wander over the Continent in quest of ac-
complishments. London, that has long
been the first city in Europe for population,
extent, and opulence, is now also confes-
sedly the first in point of society, and the
Capital of the polite and fashionable, as it
has long been of the commercial world.
The first class of its society, the most nu-
merous of that description that has ever
been united in any great city, comprehends
all the advantages of title, of fortune, and
of information. I do not hereby mean to
somewhat of the native roughness of the
Briton. But the case is very different at
present. The Trench Revolution has been
as fatal to the manners as to the morals of
nations ; it has corrupted the one and bru-
talized the other. It is not to society in
such a state that he is to look for improve-
ment, nor indeed is such improvement
either the sole or the principal motive of
travelling at present, nor is it necessary to
wander over the Continent in quest of ac-
complishments. London, that has long
been the first city in Europe for population,
extent, and opulence, is now also confes-
sedly the first in point of society, and the
Capital of the polite and fashionable, as it
has long been of the commercial world.
The first class of its society, the most nu-
merous of that description that has ever
been united in any great city, comprehends
all the advantages of title, of fortune, and
of information. I do not hereby mean to