The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-08 00:00:00

Mr. Anthony Trollope on America.

A lecture was delivered ono evening last week at the Bury
Athenwum on the American war by Mr, Anthony Trollope,

author of " Barchester Towers." There was a large attend.
ance, amongst the audience being the Marquis of Bristol

several members of his lordship's family, Sir C. Banbury,

Bart., and others. The chair was taken by the Rev. Lord
Arthur Hervey, who, after a reference to Mr. Trollope's wide
and high reputation, said the subject on which the lecturer
was about to speak was one on which there was very con-
siderable diversity, both of feeling and opinion. Some were
disposed, with natural English sympathy, to take part with
the weaker side—to admire the pluck and gallantry of the
smaller portion of the old American Union; whilst others,
with the sympathy they all felt in their American descend•
ants, desired the continuance of the Union. But, whatever
might be their individual opinions, at all events they were
glad to have an opportunity to hear what Mr, Trollopo had
to say on the subject. Those who agreed with him would be
glad to be fortified in the opinion they had formed, whilst
others, as truth-loving men, would wish to hear the conclu-
sions arrived at by a man of knowledge, even though such
opinions might be contrary to their own views. (Cheers.)
Mr. Trollope's lecture related more to the condition of
the Northern States than to the war. It had evidently been
well studied, and was remarkable for breadth of views and
sound discrimination. Near the conclusion of his address,
Mr. Trollope said—" Before you go let me ask you to listen
to a few words as to the moral and social character of the
men of the North. I suppose I may take it for granted thatf
Englishmen do not like Americans, were never very fond o
them, and are less fond of them now than ever. And lam
obliged to confess that the compliment is returned—they do
not like us. To any individual amongst us going there with
proper introductions they are hospitable enough, as we
should also be to an American, but with Americans the
feeling is stronger. Americans desire nothing so much as
the admiration of Englishmen, and although abuse of the
English is the prominent topic in the North, such conver-
sation was never pursued in my hearing after it was known
that I was an Englishman. But it must be allowed that
there is this reciprocal dislike, We do not love them be-
cause they are a loud, arrogant, upstart, encroaching, boast-
ful conceited people ; and they, although they can't call us
upstart, dislike us exactly for the same reasons. (Laughter.)
There are, alas I too many points alike in our character. I
believe every hearty Englishman looks upon it as England's
mission to Anglicise the whole world ; and the Americans
are such true children of their parents, such veritable chips
of the old block, that while we are Anglicising the world
they are Americanising the world. But it will come to the
same thing in the end, not to be Anglicised or American-
ised, but to be educated and civilised. We fret and fume
against each other, but in truth we are embarked in the
same ship and sailing on the same journey. Remember
how good living has spread through the ranks of the people.
I mean by good living not simply beef and pudding,
though that is an important point, but education, religion
without priestcraft, political freedom, the power of think-
ing, the capacity of enjoying life like a man instead of en-
during life like a brute--these things constitute more, but
the Americans, from the nature of the circumstances in
which they were placed, have done more than we could.
Though their process has been interrupted, we are wrong
if we think that among a people like them their liberty can
long be jeopardised. They are now going through a period
of trial, and do you think it was never said of us at such a
time that our power was declining, that we should be over-
whelmed with debt, that we were falling from our high
Position 7 But we have ever triumphed over all our diffi •
culties, and have laboured on again undaunted in our
course of progress. So may it be with them. Who could
look with satisfaction in coming ages of the downfall of such
a people.
After the unusually prolonged applause which greeted
the close of Mr. Trollope's lecture, the noble PRESIDENT
rose to tender the customary vote of thanks to that gentle-
man. They would all agree (he said) that he had proposed
to their consideration many questions of the deepest mo-
ment—very difficult, perhaps, to resolve ; but principles
had been most ably and eloquently stated in which they
must all agree, and many hints had been given which he
was sure they would carry with them in their endeavours
to form an impartial, just, and Christian opinion with respect
to the lamentable events now going on in the United States.
They might all join in the prayer that it might please God
to put an end to those fearful scenes, and that they might
issue in ultimate benefit to the Americans themselves and
to mankind at large ; and, above all, that that great blot of
slavery might be expunged from the history of mankind,
(Loud cheers.)
The meeting then separated,
'am

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