Rock Island Argus., March 26, 1904, LAST EDITION 4:30 O'CLOCK, Image 9

About Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920

Image provided by: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library, Urbana, IL

                
OCK I
VOL. Mil. KO. 133.
ROCK ISLAND, IXIi., SATURDAY, MARCH 2, ll04.
PAGES 9 TO 12.
AKGUB0
THE JAPANESE SMILE
Part of the People's Rudimentary
Education, Says a Native.
A BUSSIA1T8-TOW OF THE HABIT.
Oaptsured Mldaalamaa Fears That
III Superstitions Coantrrmem
Wh Tkcr Lara of It Will Be
lieve Their Enemies Are Bewitch
ed Japanese Saalle Evrn "When
. Thejr Kill or Die.
The opinion prevails among the hun
dred or more prisoners of war who re
cently arrived at Tokyo from Tort Ar
thur, out of whose Icy waters they
were rescued and pulled aboard Japa
nese vessels, that Russia is doomed to
lose the war for the reason that the
Japanese meet the enemy, face death
and inflict death with smiling faces.
'Among the czar's Jackles are several
Tvho speak English- and the Cincinnati
inquirer's special correspondent was
permitted to talk with them in the
presence of an imperial officer.
The most intelligent of the crew, a
blight midshipman, said:
"I'm afraid that when the great
mass of the Russian army learns of
this Japanese habit the great mass
that is Ignorant and superstitious our
soldiers will think witchcraft is at
work. In that event their fighting
spirit will evaporate as fear of the su
pernatural takes possession of them.
If any one had told me. I would have
thought him romancing, but I was
near enough to see for myself. As the
mikado's ships advanced, officers and
men. as seen through our spyglasses.
went about their deadly work with
smiles upon their lips. Stern words of
command were given and obeyed with
the Joyous courtesy an Invitation to
the bar evokes among the average sol
dler. Smilingly the Japs aimed their
guns. Whenever we got n glimpse of
the commander on the bridge he seem
ed to be listening to Jokes.
"We heard of Captain Phillips' hu
mane command at Santiago. 'Don't
cheer, boys; they are dying. words
that are enshrined In every true sail
or's heart, but the 'Japanese, It seems
to me, outdid the gallant captain of
the Texas In graciosjsness at I'ort Ar
thur. When the ICussian ships were
sinking and our nien struck out for
shore or any other place of safety, for
that matter, the enemy advanced with
emIBng faces to lend us a brother's
helping band. Indeed, myself and com
rades were pulled nloanl with such
hearty welcome of demeanor as one
might expect of the crew of a yachting
party engaged In rescuing the owner's
gnests.
"As we were sent below I saw n
Japanese official kill one of our men
who had discharged a revolver at him
on being brought upon deck. And this
act of Justice for I admit such it was
was likewise performed without a
trace of anger In meln or manner. The
mikado's lleuteraint plunged a huge
bowle knife In my comrade's abdomen
while laughing, not boisterously or tri
umphantly, but in a serene, courteous
manner. This, I have since learned, is
a Japanese trait little known to the
outside world. To them it means noth
ing. In warfare at least, but to an en
emy such smiling composure Is nothing
short of terrible.
"The Russian soldier in particular is
accustomed to see his commander and
superiors grave and severe, frowning
even on every sort of pretext. Our
troops are used to betng overawed. Re
flect what it means to them to come
face to face with an enemy who bat-i
ters their ships and harasses their
flanks, who deals death and destruc
tion, apparently in the happiest frame
of mind, without effort.
"The great ma?s of our men will
look upon an adversary of that sort as
a superior being, as one under a spell,
as Invincible. Among my fellow pris
oners I hear It argued all the tiune: 'If
the Japanese were not conscious of su
perior strength they would not enter
Into the fury with such unheiml of
assurance. Surely, if they didn't know
beforehand that they can lick us they
wouldn't have that air of mocking
merriment
"Think of a charge of a light brigade
with each man smiling his best; every
corps, after tho battle, bearing the
stamp of pleasantry on pallid lips
why it needs no Tennyson to make
such an army a terror far and wide."
The mikado's officer made a sign to
Indicate that the interview was at an
end. and I withdrew not a little as
tounded and perplexed at what I had
heard. Subsequently I talked to a
member of the war minister's staff on
the subject, who said that with the
Japanese soldier the aspect of smiling
serenely was a matter of special drill.
He said:
"A smiling countenance is in fact a
part of our people's rudimentary edu
cation, vastly expanded and strictly In
sisted upon with our boys in blue and
the jackles. We don't want morose
men; we know that brave deeds can
be accomplished without fierce grim
aces, and we know. too. that a smiling
enemy, suffering wounds and jeopard
izing life and limb. Is very liable to
pain a reputation for bravery and reck
lessness with oppos'l- forces used to
savage demeanor. lUpbemy and rav
ing with pain and lust for revenge."
The following explanations of and
comments on the Japanese smile that
won't come off even in death were
gathered from natives and long time
foreign residents in the island empire.
There .are no plensanter babies born
anywhere than "In Japan. Japanese
childhood is cheerful, painless, as far
ns parents, teachers and superiors in
general are concerned all smiling hap
piness. Both native and foreign phy
sicians tell me that the Jap baby is
born smiling, and education is calcn-
lated to perpetuate the happy disposi
tion nature bestowed upon the little
yellow boy or girl. The Jap child
learns to smile as it learns to walk and
feed itself, as it learns successively all
the lav.-s of old time etiquette, which
is the essence of courtesy.
Laughter is not encouraged. No bois
terous expression of merriment is.
While boys are not forbidden to guf
faw, they are made to understand that
It Is not nice. Girls giggle, of course,
but not as loudly as their occidental
sisters. At" the same time they try to
keep a straight face. The child always
has a smile for parents, teachers and
friends, and the practice grows into a
habit that rules men's and women's
lives.
The Jap deems It Impolite to force
his personal feelings upon others. The
knowledge or mere suspicion that a
countryman experienced bad fortune
might make his neighbor unhappy, and
the yellow man tried to confer bliss
upon all; hence he considers It his duty
to smile. "We smile upon our friends to
increase tLeir happiness and their love
for us and upon adversaries to fore
stall giving them pleasure by looking
morose," said a noted Japanese.
SMITH OF MICHIGAN.
William A.. Who dominated Joe Can
non For the Presidency.
William Alden Smith, who recently
created considerable excitement in tho
house by nominating Speaker Joe Can
non for the presidency, is one of two
Smiths, both Republicans, who are
members of the Michigan delegation
to congress. He is a self made man,
and the story of his rise from poverty
is of more than usual interest When
a boy he peddled a paper on the streets
of Grand Rapids, whereas he is now
the chief owner of that paper, the Her
ald, and the president of the company
that publishes it.
Congressman Smith is a native of
Michigan and received a common school
education, to which was added a course
in law. In 1SS3 he was admitted to
the bar and in a few years had become
one of the leading corporation lawyers
in the state. From 18SG to 1101 he
was the general counsel for two of the
most Important railroads in the s.fte.
His first political job was that of
page in the Michigan house of repre
sentatives, and it Is related that he
stole a ride to Lansing on one of the
railroads of which he was afterward
Ceneral counsel. He first went to
WIUJAU ALDEN SMITH.
Washington as member" or tne Firty
fourth congress and has since been
four times re-elected. Mr. Smith has
had a good deal of experience In state
craft and In business, and his point of
view on politics as well as on general
topics Is usually breezy and interest
Ing.
"Mr. President" said Speaker Can
non to Colonel Roosevelt the day after
Smith's speech. "I am in a fix. Here I
am nominated for president by Wil
liam Alden Smith of Michigan, and
yesterday my county convention out
in Illinois declared for Theodore
Roosevelt first last and all the time,
and today my congressional conven
tion Is going to do the same thing."
"All this talk about my having an
other barrel to fire." said William Al
den Smith, "is foolish. I have nothing
more to say. My position reminds me
of the story cf Henry Clay. He went
to a shooting match In Kentucky one
time. They pressed a gun Into his
hands and told him be must take a
crack at the target. He had never
fired a gun In bis life, but he blared
away and hit a bullseye, and until the
day of his death he would never fire
another gun."
Sacredaess of Korean Klaff's Bodr.
So sacred Is the person of the em
peror of Korea that to touch his body
with a weapon of Iron constitutes high
treason. Rather than violate this tra
dition. Tieng Song Tal Ong allowed an
abscess to put an end to his life in 1S0O,
believing it would be wrong for him to
submit to the surgeon's lancet
She Knew tho Reason.
At the dinner table one evening some
one remarked that a certain lady bad a
thin falsetto voice. Little Maisie was
acquainted with the person referred to.
and she cried out abruptly r
"Oh. I know why: Because 6 he's got
a false set o teeth r New York Press.
-?-s
v- V'"'
AMADOR OF PANAMA.
FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE NEW ISTH
MIAN REPUBLIC
Boldest Lender of the Movement That
Resulted la Independence How lie
Forced Hatters at a Critical Mo-
t.
The inauguration of Dr. Manuel Am
ador as president of the republic of
Panama a few weeks ago marked the
climax of the "business" revolution
which cost Colombia her. richest jtrpy-
DR. IffAXrai. AMADOR.
lnce and added a new state to the fam
ily of nations.
Dr. Manuel Amador, the first presi
dent of the new republic, is seventy
years old, a physician by profession
and a native of Cartagena, Colombia.
He was one of the leaders In the revo-
tlonary movement which led to the in
dependence of Panama last November,
and in fact to him more than to any of
his associates was due the success of
the undertaking. The story of his
part in the revolution is as follows:
When on Oct. 31 of last year the
Colombian congress adjourned without
ratifying the treaty with the United
States affairs had already progressed
rapidly on the isthmus. Seven men,
all interested for business reasons in
the construction of the canal, had
about finished the work of organizing
a business revolution. They were
Tomas Arias, Arango, Arosemena, Dr.
Amador, Ricardo Arias, F. Boyd and
Obarrio. All had something of a pe
cuniary interest at stake in the issue
and for the most part belonged to the
Conservative party, which is at pres
ent in control of Colombian affairs.
Feeling assured that they had the
sympathy of the people of the Isthmus
in their .undertaking, the committee
went ahead with its plans. There was
a battalion of Colombian troops at
Panama, commanded by General Huer
tas, who had long been stationed at
Panama. Huertas was won over by
the revolutionists.
It had been planned to have the rev
olution on the day following that on
which it actually occurred. The
scheme was to be sprung on Nov. 4 at
Panama. But on Nov. 3 the Cartagena
steamed Into Colon with Generals To
var and Amaya and 450 Colombian
troops on board. The news wns tele
graphed to Panama ami created gen
eral consternation. Dr. Amador large
ly deserves credit for putting the rev
olution through in spite of .the hesita
tion of some of the other leaders.
When the Colombian generals arrived
they came without their troops, the
Panama railroad having refused to
transport them.
The generals were arrested by Huer
tas soldiers and the republic proclaim
ed. The next day the declaration of
independence was read In the Cathe
dral park and was signed by the lead
ers in the movement and by all present
who wished. Three men. Frederic
Boyd, Constantin Arosemena and
Tomas Arla9. were appointed consuls.
They assumed authority over the re
public as members of the supreme
Junta, the junta at once organizing a
government and constituting the su
preme legislative and executive pow
er until the inauguration of Dr. Ama
dor on Feb. 20.
The honor that has come to Dr. Ama
dor was unsought and is all the great
er because of the fact that he is not a
native of Panama. He has lived on
the Isthmus since 1S30, and, although'
he has figured for many years in the
political life of Tanama, he steadfast
ly refused many high offices under the
Colombian government
Dr. Amador was the leader of the
Conservative party, and in 1809, much
against his will, he was nominated
and elected by his party to the presi
dency of the state of Tanama. He
never took office, however, for a Lib
eral revolution was started and suc
ceeded before his inauguration.
As a young man Dr. Amador engaged
in commercial pursuits with his broth
er at Santiago de Veraguas. In the state
of Panama. He went to the city of Pan
ama in 1S71. becoming one of the emi
nent physicians of the country. For
many years he has occupied the place
of chief physician for the Panama
Railroad company and the Pacific Mall
Steamship company. Dr. Amador has
two sons Dr. Eaoul A. Amador, con
sul general of Panama In New York.
and Manuel E. Amador, who was min
ister of finance under the provisional
government of Panama.
From the moment it became a cer
tainty that the government of . the
i -
r"r- J
) I
. ':
United 'States 'nnder"warrant of "the
treaty of 1S46 with New Granada:
would not permit the landing of Co
lombian troops at any port of Panama
the revolutionary period of the new
republic may be said to have ended.
Since then It has been smooth sailing.
WOMAN'S TRIP TO MARS.
Astral Seereaa Says the Fleah of
Planet's Women Is Uminoon.
At the Cosmological Center in New
York the other night Vesta La Viesta,
a member of the center, told of a visit
she had made to Mars and Venus by
projecting her astral body to those
planets, says the New York Times.
She said:
"Mars is peopled with an enthusi
astic, stalwart, noble race of men, with
complexions shiny and black as ebony.
They are wiry, muscular, taut and
very supple. They play with electrici
ty as we would with fireworks. They
have a way of flashing firelike radia
tions from their legs that makes their
presence decidedly luminous, lively
and at times somewhat dazzling. They
appear like huge warriors attired in
atmospheric raiments of flame.
"The Mars women are beautiful,
with daintily molded forms And with
very fair complexions. Their flesh is
luminous."
The lecturer described the archi
tecture of the country as transcendent
and said the arts and government
were of proportionate superiority to
this world.
"Venus," said the lecturer, Ms small,
but a very beautiful and.' tropical
planet and is inhabited by a charming
race of beings. They are associated
most happily in soul mated couples.
for they have a flexible astral or
psychological tubing which invisibly
connects their bodies and prevents
them from wandering or straying or
being separated at any time from their
true soul mate.'
TRIBUTE TO OUR CO-EDS.
Wonderfolly Brilliant and as Won
derfully Beautiful, Sari a German.
Five German educators from the
leading German universities, who have
been closely studying the "co-eds" in
American universities, highly compli
mented the girls the other night at the
dinner in Hutchinson hall given by the
University of Chicago to the German
educators, says a Chicago dispatch.
"Wonderfully brilliant and as won
derfully boiutiful" was the expression
of Dr. Delbrueck, the famous philolo
gist He saw the greatest difference
between life at the German universi
ties and at the American in the pres-
ence of the girl students the United
, , , ... T
"When L left home." he said, "my
friends said to me: 'Now, you are a
great student of women, professor.
Tell us when you come back whether
the college bred American woman is
so much more talented than our worn-
en. ana wnetner sue is so mucli more
beautiful.' I am here but a few days.
Dut l can already tell you what word
I must carry to them. I have found
the American women wonderfully bril
liant and as wonderfully beautiful. At
this distance from home I am free to
say that she has captivated me."
They Are Sixty-seven.
I met a little Mormon girl;
She was Just eighteen, she said.
Her hair was dressed with one big curl
That dangled from her head.
She had a simple way and blanj.
Her speech was soft and cool. 1
And In her honest, widespread hand
She bore a milking stool.
"How many children, little maid.
Are In your family?"
"How many? Sixty-seven." she said
And shyly looked at me.
Her hazel eyes to mine she ralsoJ.
And then she cast them down.
"I did not ask." I said, amazed, j
'i
The census of your town.
"How many children round your door
Disport in childish glee?"
"Just sixty-seven." she said onee more
And smiled again at me. ('
"Forty of us at Provo dwell;
At Ogden there are nine; :
The good ship Jane, they sail her well-
Twelve brothers dear of mine."
"I see at last.. Tour meaning's clear."
Said I. with laughter merry.
"Is It an orphanage, my dear,
Or a female seminary?"
"My father kind Is drawing near,"
The little maid replied;
"He's been to roam; he's bringing home
Another brand new bride.
"With father dear we dwell at peace;
Our mothers are eleven;
Hound every door there's room 'for more.
And we are sixty-seven."
And then I left ln dumb dismay
The maid with eyes like heaven.
But as I left I heard her say.
"And I'm the oldest, by the way.
Of all the sixty-seven."
Council Bluffs (la.) Nonpareil.
Slam's Sarrrd tlephants.
Curious ceremonies are witnessed ln
Slam when one of the sacred white ele
phants dies. It is el von funeral
grander than that accorded to orlnce
f x-oi tj,i,i,i,.
date, and thousands of devout Siamese P01 of the best Physicians and sur
,i u ... . jt . I ceons In Tokyo. The nurses receive
animal to the grave. Jewels and of-
fnHn rrnti n ,
buried with the elephant
A Crtwune Collect io a.
At the prison of St Taul, at Lyons.
France, there is a curious collection of
pens. They are the pens with which
the executioners have signed the regu
lation receipts for the prisoners handed
over to them to be exptf-ntowi if ar-h
execution a frpsh r.on ia , th
nnrw. ,wi ! .i I
on it I
RED CROSS IN JAPAN
TREMENDOUS GROWTH OF THE SO-
CIETY ORGANIZED IN 1877.
Bow Popalar Interest. In the Worlc Is
Stimulated Km press Ilnrnlco a. Lib
eral Patron Russia's Society the
Richest In the World.
The Red Cross societies of both Ja- )
pan and Russia are not surpassed by i
those of any other nation, that of the
latter country being the richest in the
world, havine at the present time sev-
-I:
yj i-;
i
EMPBKS3 HAEUKO OP JAPAS.
era! million dollars in Its treasure.
While the Japanese society has not so
large, a bank account, it Is amply sup
plied with funds and in point of mem
bership and enthusiasm in the work
easily stands first
The Red Cross Society of Japan is
the noblest of the many charitable in
stitutions that have sprung up in the
land of the mikado since it burst its
bonds of exciusiveness and opened its
doors to the outer world, and In no
other country have efforts to minimize
the horrors of war met with such un
paralleled success as among the Japa
nese.
During the insurrection of the south
west provinces In 1S77 a society hav
ing for its object the relieving of the
wounded and sick on the field of bat
tie came into being. It adopted the
name Hakuaisha (Society of Renevo-
lence) After "tue rebellion was crush-
ed the society decided to form a per-
manent organization and prepare for
sImUar emergencies. When the impe-
r,a, gOTernment recognized the arti-
clcs of the Genevn convention the so-
cIety decided to pace ltself ln connec.
tlon wlth lnternational committee
of th Kpfl nt npnpvil nml to Pn
ter into fraternal relations with simi-
lar societie3 throughout the world
Having done this, the name of the or
ganization was changed to the Red
Cross Society of Japan.
Since then, fostered and promoted by
imperial favor, the society has grown
to tremendous proportions, the mem
bership now being above 800.000. This
is no doubt due in a great degree to the
example set by the mikado and the
empress of Japan. The reigning fain
liy takes a deep interest in Red Cross
work and contributes liberally to the
funds of the society. An imperial
prince Is always its honorary presi
dent and the empress takes an active
part in Its work. She is a frequent
visitor to the headquarters of the so
ciety and to the Red Cross hospital.
Fopular interest is further stimulat
ed by annual gatherings of the mem
bers from every part of the empire.
These meetings are usually held in one
of the public parks of Tokyo, and the
attendance is seldom less than 200,000.
Lectures illustrated by magic lantern
pictures are given by medical men and
attract much attention.
The headquarters of the society are
In Tokyo and consist of a number of
buildings containing the administra
tive offices, storerooms and various oth
er departments. The amount of hos
pital supplies kept at headquarters Is
enormous. Within a day or two the
Japanese Red Cross society can load a
hospital ship or railroad train without
the least confusion. Surgeons and
nurses are ready at all times, and the
arrangement of the hospital stores is
so systematic that they can be moved
at an hour's notice. The surgeons and
nurses are under military rule and
work with military precision. Two hos
pital ships owned by the society, the
Hakual Maru and Kosal Maru. were
especially constructed for the care of
the sick and wounded.
The Red Cross hospital In Tokyo Is
the finest in the city. It Is in this hos
pital that the Red Cross female nurses
receive their training. It has a capacl
ty of 2o0 beds, and Its staff Is com-
e t practical kind of instruction
through lectures and demonstrations
given by members of the staff. They
serve an apprenticeship of three years
and on passing a rigorous examination
receive credentials which permit them
to enter private practice and in the
case of war to enter the field service
ender military rule.
Haruko. empress of Japan and spe
cial patron of the Red Cross society.
princess of the bouse of Ichijo,
one of the five ancient families de-
scended from the J- ujiwara clan, from
I 1 IE:
--tiich ' the "emperors always" selected
their wives. She was married to the
emperor in 1S67, the year after his
coronation. The five children of the
emperor, one son and four daughters.
have all been brought up according to
western ideas.
CHANCE FOR LAZY BOYS.
Chicaso Educator Says They Win In
Life and Become Great Men.
Is j our hoy lazy ? Yes? Then grieve
not but be happy. It is au excellent
6ign. He will become a great man in
time. Let him be as lazy as possible.
Principal William R. Watt of the
Graham school ln Chicago said In
letter before the Institute of Education
recently that the lazy boy was all
right, says the Chicago Inter Ocean.
Lazy boys make successful men, and
busy, ambitious boys sometimes get all
tired out in childhood and spend the
rest of their lives resting, says the
principal. Of course this rule does
not apply to all lazy or ambitious boys
"Because there is odium attached to
the term laziness the educator Is apt
to err in his treatment of it. What Is
done for it in the homes and schools Is
often the very thing to Increase it
declared Principal Watt in his address
on "Laziness in Children." Instead of
prodding a lazy boy, the educator held
it far better to cultivate his laziness
into a fine art. He said:
"Laziness is not always bad. It is
generally au excellent thing in a grow
ing thing. Mental or physical work
done under compulsion is not good for
the growing child, except such work
as Is of real use to the household, such
as house, farm, garden work or the
care of animals. The main business
of a child is to grow. A day's growth
is not noticeable, but It is often more
strenuous than a day's work, and a
child should not be compelled to do
both."
We can soon expect to hear Johnny,
when asked to bring up the coal, say
"What! Can't you see I'm hard at
work growin. G'wan!"
The speaker then urged that all chil
dren should be allowed to sleep until
the sun arose in the morning.
STARTLED CONGRESS.
Hay of Virginia. Who Called Out the
Brlaton- I'oatal Report.
James Iiay, the member of congress
from Virginia who introduced the res
olution calling from committee the spe
cial postal report which caused such a
commotion in the house, until now has
been practically unknown outside of
his own state.
The Virginia statesman could hardly
have foreseen that the report would
Impugn the fair fame of so many mem
bers, some of his own political creed,
and doubtless he was as surprised as
any man In the house. Innocent or
CONGRESSMAN JAMES HAT.
not, Mr. Hay, it may be assumed, has
not Increased his popularity in con
gress. The effect of the publication of tho
report promises to be far reaching, and
It is asserted that unless the matter Is
eleared up at least two-thirds of the
31 members Involved will lose their
seats.
Aa Arab Spy Outwitted.
Once at least in Egypt the loss of his
eye in au earlier campaign proved a
great service to Lord Wolseley and his
army, lie could get no information or
the enemy's sttengtli or position. An
Arab was captured prowling around
our outposts and was brought before
him. It was ten to one the sullen fel
low knew everything. Lord Wolseley
questioned him. The fellow answered
never a word, standing stolid between
the two soldiers. At last a happy idea
struck the general. He said ln Arabic:
It is no use your refusing to answer
me, for I am a wizard and at a wish
an destroy you and your masters. To
prove this to you I will take out my
eye, throw it up. catch it and put it
back in my head." And, to the horror
and amazement of the fellow, Lord
Wolseley took out his glass eye, threw
It up, caught and replaced It. That
was enough. The Arab capitulated.
and the information he gave tbe staff
led to Arabi's defeat London Globe.
1'erverae Child.
A father of much experience savs:
"Wash a baby clean and dress him up
real pretty, and he will resist ail ad
vances with the most superlative cross
ness, but let Lim eat molasses, cinzer-
bread and fool around the coal bod for
half an hour and he will nestle his dear
little dirty face close up to your clean
shirt bosom and be Just the lovlngest
cunningest little rascal in all the
world."
fit' . :;X!'?S
ft ' :i ' A
It J v.: :: . .".7i ' "t 1
4 ''. ' 1
f V yPfs" T. ' ' t 11
' : )t J'
i v , v' -.-x n
CRITICISM OF AMERICA
Sir Philip Burne-Jones Impres
sions of the New World.
NEWPOBT PALACES VEST UQLT.
Brltlah Artist Mas Written a Boole
Wherein He Tells What He Consid
ers Oar Shortcoming's He Had Ex
pected Vaattended Girls Wo aid
Make Him So Welcome.
, Sir Fhilip Burne-Jones, having spent
the year 1902 in the United States, de
voted a portion of the year 1903 to
writing an account of his impressions
of the new world, wheh is published
by D. Appletou & Co., says the New.
York Herald.
He is frank, but not as a rule offen
sive in his criticism. He repeats some
of the old indictments against crudities
of manners and of culture, aud he adds
some new strictures of his own, but at
the same time he does Justice to the
energy, the intelligence and especially
the kindness and hospitality of all the
people whom he met
Here was the preconceived vision of
America which he had in mind before
he started:
"I had a vision of a vast continent
full of the most bewitching girls clad
in the daintiest costumes, delighted to
pee me and ready to extend their pret
ty hands in a natural and unaffected
camaraderie only possible in America.
Their husbands and brothers, strong.
manly, simple folk, I pictured to my
self as constantly at work somewhere
out of sight, chiefly in Wall street,
wherever that was, leaving their wives
and sisters free to entertain me and
glad to think that they were doing so.
I had heard much of the unselfishness
of American men."
t first he was somewhat taken
aback by the absence of the deference
or servility which the "better classes"
abroad expect from their "inferiors."
Later he became accustomed to it and
realized it arises "not from any de
sire to be rude or offensive, but from
a combination of causes partly from
an honest ignorance of what consti
tutes good manners and partly from
a perfectly sincere conviction, gravely
entertained, that they are really every
bit as good as you are in a country
where all social distinctions are sup
posed to be nonexlstant"
Iiut this sense of universal equality
disappeared when he came Into con
tact with American "society." He
says:
"The so called exciusiveness of these
ood republicans is an amusing spec
tacle to those accustomed to tho well
defined nnd generally accepted social
distinctions of a community governed
by monarchical tradition. In Ameri
ca, where no sucn tradition exists,
class distinction depends largely upon
the caprice of the very wealthy and re
solves itself, as do so many other
things in tliis democracy, into a sim
ple question of dollars. The tenacity
with which the ultra fashionables cling
together has given American society
In America a reputation for exciusive
ness which is interesting to contem
plate in view of the personalities of
most of the excluders. It is all so like
a burlesque of our own London 'so
ciety.' "
Of the morality of this "society" Sir
Burne-Jones has this to say, "My own
observations would point to ttie fact
that, childlike, they are fascinated by,
the idea of playing nt being naughty
and shocking people, but that in reali
ty they are for the most part excellent
citizens."
That amazing summer playground''
Newport ba tiles his powers of descrip
tion, lie glories In its natural beau
ties. He wonders at the bad taste dis
played in Its architecture, declaring
that Its palaces proclaim the fact that
tho plutocratic owners in their scram
ble for wealth have bad little time
left to devote to the cultivation of
the arts in any form. Here Is his
criticism:
The palaces of Newport are, in
truth. Just what you would expect the
palaces of Newport to be. They ara
very costly, very sumptuous, oftea
very ugly, but they admirably fulfill
what. I take it, Is one of their chief
ralsons d'etre, they are tbe material
and visible expression of the posses
sion of vast riches."
Speaking of Chicago, the author
says:
"I don't suppose that even its own
inhabitants would seriously make ex
cuse for Chicago. It is an ugly, dirty,
noisy, wind swept city if ever there
was one. Of course I saw it under tho
most disadvantageous and discourag
ing conditions and at tho very worst
time of the year. Still nothing, not
even the most brilliant sunshine, could
have made it appear beautiful, and ono
would be a little exacting perhaps to
expect that it should be one. The won
der is that tbe hideous place, so vast
and populous as it Is, should be in ex
istence at alL
"The street cars here run in doubles,
thus multiplying their horrors by two.
The skyscrapers appear twice as high
as those in New York. Its newspapers
are twice as vulgar and In tone twice
as deep a yellow. I naturally avoldec"
the stock yards, and If you don't rial
these mammoth shambles Chicago bof
little else to offer you as a public spee
tacle."
i
A sunny temper gilds the edges of(
life's blackest cloudV-duthrie. j