[Sidenote: Class Prejudices amongst the French.] I am far from wishing to imply that the English never rise above the region of class prejudices. Many have done so, and these amongst the most distinguished. Shelley did so completely, Byron partially; in our own day several of the most famous poets and thinkers appear to live, intellectually at least, outside of class. My impression is that the French do not get rid of class prejudices so frequently as the English. If they belong either to the real or the false _noblesse_ they think that _noblesse oblige_ in a peculiar sense, that it lays them under an obligation to condemn popular aspirations without a hearing. [Sidenote: Comparative Mental Independence of the Poor.] It is difficult for the poor in any country to be just, because they so often suffer; still, in France, they are more frequently independent in their judgments than the upper classes, the proof being that they support a greater variety of opinions. You never know how a French peasant will vote till you know him individually, but you may predict to a certainty that a noble will vote against the republican candidate. [Sidenote: French Parties not becoming more Tolerant.] Whether, in quieter and more settled times, French parties will be less virulent, must depend upon the effects of experience. The events of the next decade may have either a calming or an exasperating influence. I do not perceive that parties have become more tolerant during the last ten years. The one good sign is, that with all their hatred they have avoided civil war. [Sidenote: Vulgar Patriotism.] [Sidenote: Hatred of Powerful Neighbours.] Next to the rancour of internal politics, the greatest obstacle to justice is that kind of vulgar patriotism which cannot love its own country without hating its neighbours. This sentiment of hatred is strictly proportionate to the neighbour’s power. The English have no animosity against Swiss republicanism, though it is still more democratic than French. The French had a romantic sympathy with Italy in her weakness, but they detest her in her strength. [Sidenote: Justice to Citizens of Insignificant States.] Most English and French people are capable of justice towards foreigners who belong to insignificant States, such as the Danes, the Dutch, the Belgians, the Swiss, and the Greeks. A few are capable of justice towards citizens of great and powerful States. [Sidenote: Mr. Grant Allen just to the French about Algeria.] [Sidenote: French Sympathy with Gordon at Khartoum.]