Since he had been in
England he had written constantly to his friend, giving him the
result of his British experiences.
Bush Inn, Dillsborough,
Ufford County, England,
December 16, 187-.
MY DEAR SIR,
Since my last I have enjoyed myself very well and I am I trust
beginning to understand something of the mode of thinking of this
very peculiar people. That there should be so wide a difference
between us Americans and these English, from whom we were divided,
so to say, but the other day, is one of the most peculiar
physiological phenomena that the history of the world will have
afforded. As far as I can hear a German or even a Frenchman thinks
much more as an Englishman thinks than does an American. Nor does
this come mainly from the greater prevalence with us of democratic
institutions. I do not think that any one can perceive in half an
hour's conversation the difference between a Swiss and a German;
but I fancy, and I may say I flatter. myself, that an American is
as easily distinguished from an Englishman, as a sheep from a goat
or a tall man from one who is short.
And yet there is a pleasure in associating with those here of the
highest rank which I find it hard to describe, and which perhaps I,
ought to regard as a pernicious temptation to useless luxury. There
is an ease of manner with them which recalls with unfavourable
reminiscences the hard self-consciousness of the better class of
our citizens.
Pages:
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295