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ON FOREIGN NONSENSE.
With respect to the third point, various lessons which the book reads to the nation at large, and which it would be well for the nation to ponder and profit by.
There are many species of nonsense to which the nation is much addicted, and of which the perusal of Lavengro ought to give them a wholesome shame.

First of all, with respect to the foreign nonsense so prevalent now in England.

The hero is a scholar; but, though possessed of a great many tongues, he affects to be neither Frenchman nor German, nor this or that foreigner; he is one who loves his country, and the language and literature of his country, and speaks up for each and all when there is occasion to do so.

Now what is the case with nine out of ten amongst those of the English who study foreign languages?
No sooner have they picked up a smattering of this or that speech than they begin to abuse their own country and everything connected with it, more especially its language.