Published in Manchester, & yes the Central Library has a copy
The author was active in the Home Rule Movement in Manchester & he was particularly concerned to analyse the origins of the sense of nationalism which seemed so strong in his compatriots
Interestingly, he dismisses straight away the idea that it comes from blood or race. How could it, when Ireland is such a melting pot, of the earliest known inhabitants admixed with Viking, Norman, Scottish & yes, English …
He came to the conclusion that it is the land, the soil, which in a quasi-mystical way shapes & moulds the people who live there
Not such an unusual idea, perhaps. The following comes from Caxtons Description of Britain, originally published in 1480
England is a good land, rich in wool, though a corner of the world
England is full of pleasures & full of noble people fully deserving enjoyment, fine men with noble tongues, noble hearts & everything about them noble
Their hands are more gracious & more generous than their tongues
In addition, England is a beautiful country, flower of all surrounding countries
The land is very pleasantly endowed with its own fruit & products
It offers relief to foreigners in need & when hunger afflicts other countries, it feeds them
The country is truly pleasant, whilst people live in peace
East & West, in every country, England’s havens are well known
It is provided with ships which often help other countries
In it, people always hold their food & money much more in common, & they gladly give gifts in exchange for learning
Far & wide, by land & sea, people speak of England
This island must surpass the rest in land, honey, milk & cheese
It has no need for other countries; they all have to ask for help from this one alone
King Solomon might well marvel at the delightfulness of this native land, & the Emperor Octavian might well long for the riches it contains
A Poet
