Brumby's successful
mechanical cramming establishment. The Harrow boy cannot answer a
question, but is sure that he is the proper thing, and is ready to
face the world on that assurance. Mr. Brumby's paragon is shocked
at the other's inaptitude for examination, but is at the same time
tortured by envy of he knows not what. In this spirit we Americans
and Englishmen go on writing books about each other, sometimes with
bitterness enough, but generally with good final results. But in
the meantime there has sprung up a jealousy which makes each
inclined to hate the other at first sight. Hate is difficult and
expensive, and between individuals soon gives place to love. "I
cannot bear Americans as a rule, though I have been very lucky
myself with a few friends." Who in England has not heard that form
of speech, over and over again? And what Englishman has travelled
in the States without hearing abuse of all English institutions
uttered amidst the pauses of a free-handed hospitality which has
left him nothing to desire?
Mr. Senator Gotobed had expressed his mind openly wheresoever he
went, but, being a man of immense energy, was not content with such
private utterances. He could not liberate his soul without doing
something in public to convince his cousins that in their general
practices of life they were not guided by reason.
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