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Excerpt from The Viking Age, Vol. 1 of 2: The Early History Manners, and Customs of the Ancestors of the English-Speaking Nations, Illustrating From the Antiquities Discovered in Mounds, Cairns, and Bogs as Well as From the Ancient Sagas and Eddas<br><br>While studying the progress made in the colonisation of different parts of the world by European nations, I have often asked myself the following questions: -<br><br>How is it that over every region of the globe the spread of the English-speaking people and of their language far exceeds that of all the other European nations combined?<br><br>Why is it that, wherever the English-speaking people have settled, or are at this day found, even in small numbers, they are far more energetic, daring, adventurous, and prosperous, and understand the art of self-government and of ruling alien peoples far better than other colonising nations?<br><br>Whence do the English-speaking communities derive the remarkable energy they possess; for the people of Britain when invaded by the Romans did not show any such quality?<br><br>What are the causes which have made the English such a pre-eminently seafaring people? for without such a characteristic they could not have been the founders of so many states and colonies speaking the English tongue!<br><br>In studying the history of the world we find that all the nations which have risen to high power and widespread dominion have been founded by men endowed with great, I may say terrible, energy; extreme bravery and the love of conquest being the most prominent traits of their character. The mighty sword with all its evils has thus far always proved a great engine of civilisation.<br><br>To get a satisfactory answer to the above questions we must go far back, and study the history of the race who settled in Britain during and after the Roman occupation.<br><br>About the Publisher<br><br>Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbook