When an intelligent Japanese travels in Great Britain or an
intelligent Briton in Japan, he is struck with no wonder at
national differences. He is on the other hand rather startled to
find how like his strange brother is to him in many things. Crime
is persecuted, wickedness is condoned, and goodness treated with
indifference in both countries. Men care more for what they eat
than anything else, and combine a closely defined idea of meum with
a lax perception as to tuum. Barring a little difference of
complexion and feature the Englishman would make a good Japanese,
or the Japanese a first-class Englishman. But when an American
comes to us or a Briton goes to the States, each speaking the same
language, using the same cookery, governed by the same laws, and
wearing the same costume, the differences which present themselves
are so striking that neither can live six months in the country of
the other without a holding up of the hands and a torrent of
exclamations. And in nineteen cases out of twenty the surprise and
the ejaculations take the place of censure. The intelligence of the
American, displayed through the nose, worries the Englishman. The
unconscious self-assurance of the Englishman, not always
unaccompanied by a sneer, irritates the American. They meet as
might a lad from Harrow and another from Mr.
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