The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-08-12

U. s. HOTEL, SARATOGA, Aug. 9, 1874
Z he Philosophy Of The America~ National
III -...-~..~ 49,

| Iii ~ Characier.
The most striking trait in American character s
intensity. This intensity 10 not iustigated or sup
pressed by conventional manners. Il is not, as il
the elegant circles OF the west end Of London, a
mark Of mauvais tom, TO give strong expression to
strong sentims nts. Coming from The smooth aii,
fetal level TO which manners have reduced what
is called good society in London and Paris to this
i county, seems as il were mounting on the crater
Of social volcano The American thinks in
tensely-feel- ints nsely -acis Intensely; aud, what
is more, speaks as he thinks, feels and acts. A.
his institutions are free, almost to fault, SO are
his words, acts and thoughts. There is the same
unrestrained freedom in his manners. When he
broke his political chains, he also emancipated
himself from those not less severe ones imposed by
social usages This unbridled liberty, combined
with sangune temperament, leads occasionally
10 consequences, which seem ridiculous and absurd
to foreigners, and sometimes, though more rarely.
to effects which to b. seriously drpored by
Americans themselves. When the feelings Of such
people excited, even by things trivial in their
nature, they know not who're TO stop in the exces-
sive expression and manifestation Of them They
are prone to favortism; and are the greatest hero
worshippers the face Of the globe. However
exalted principle may be, even the sacred prin-
feciive with them, be identified with some name
il must be mpersonated. As the ancients did
homag- to the Virtues by incorporating them with
their goes so these moderus worship principles by
Identifying them with their heroes. One principle
is advanced by engraving the portrait Of Mr.. Clay
on your letter paper-another 10 promoted by 0low
ing your a portrait Of Mr.. Polk. The su
perfcia observer would say, "psysons in this coun
try are every thing-pvimciptss nothing" deeper
| insight discovers that persons are here the mere
types and representatives Of principles.
| This tendency TO excess noticed in the fair
| Americans, by their proneness TO exaggerativn in
| dress. It is curious t. observe the many other
ways in which this national characteristic shows
itself. A bsllet-dancer comes over from the Opera
Of London and Paris. A respectable artistic In her
line; bur, still, her line The highest. She lands
in New York without dollar in her purse. Her
success in Europe must have been limited, or her
improvidence great. She appears at the Park, and,
like spark applied to powder magazine, pro-
duces an immediate explosion Of enthusiasm. The
infection spreads. The epidemic reaches PhiIa
delpha, Boston, Newt rleans. East, west, north
and south the contsgicn RACES. This little bufia-
this gypsy and grsette Of the Academic oyats
| fnds, TO her amazement, that she has become
heroine, that she is def-d. that she has ravished
IIOHl dSuOul Tue CTOWu Ot OAucty 10 ioiocu
10 the title and dignity Of In Deesss de Ia dam~.
| When she appears 10 the promenade, she Is sur
rounded and saIuted like m turopean sovereign
| The horses taken from her carriage, and the
| American public harness themselves tot When
she appears on The stage, it is in shower Of roses,
the offerings Of the admirng public and, after q
triumphant progress through this great country, she
retires to her own, carrying with her an hundred
thousand dollars, and sailing Of Boston harbor
under salute from the national ships stationed
there, their bands playing alternately the Ca
| chucha and Yankee Doodle
! clever writer of popular fiction and successful
delneation Of English low life is induced to make
flying visit to the States, partly, is understood,
| with view TO see what could be done by
measure Il International copyright, to increase
the profits Of the Iabors Of himself and his literary
friends, and partly to cohcoct "tour" for the
| London market. No sooner is his approach
nounced than Populations sent on from New
York and other cities Boston, lay at his august
feet the homage Of the American people; one to
solicit the honor Of his illustrious presence at
| public dinner, 10 be given him by the ciiizeDs Of
-; another to supplicate his benign coun,enance
| to masquerade to be given in his honor al -;
| another not prrsumiDg 10 aspire to the honor of
dinner or ball, enreais his suspicious presence at
| public supper. Humid. eds Of letters are found on
| his table each morning from gentlemen asking for
his autograph, and from ladies' asking for lotk OF
his hair. The HteratcYr is lost in amaze men -
asks his wife, is she sure he is awake l-rubs his
eyes-opens his esrs-snd at length, Satisfied that
! he is not in a dream, assumes the dignity forced
upon him,-holds levees and r~ceptious-ls op-
| pressed by the worship that is rendered, and al
length actually finds it necessary 10 implore the
public 10 eparc him. .fs... .s
These excuses are national foibles; but they
are iobles Of generous, con6ding. waru-hear'ed
people. They proceed from ardent disposition
to admire and reward hat is believed 10 be ex-
cellent in any department.; from willingness to
err by ovsrratng, rather than undertaking. the pre-
tensions Of genius Many Of the silly exhibitions
we have referred to TO BIZ ascrbed TO the lower
and younger the lrts educated and less experienced
classes, acting upon their own impulses, indepen-
IDENTIFY Of The higher and elder, the better educated,
more reined and experienced classes. According
to the usage OF Europe the latter portion OF society
lead and originate all great and general movrme ns
OF the social body. Here special respect paid
them their lead and their countenauc. are neither
waited for or desired. This is free country, and
the boy has scarcely emerged from infancy before
he acts for himself. without imagining for . mo-
ment The necessity Of consulting those under whom,
by the ties Of and the social compact, he
or ought TO be placed. on@D#
An EUROPEAN TRAVELLER.
THE OCEAN STEAM SHIPs.-We learn that there
is fair prospect OF the establishment of line Of
, American steam ships TO run between New York
and L,verpcol The company, Of which we spoke
yesterday, have an agency In Wall street. Jun VI
Smith, No 95 Of thai sireet-where all necessa,y
arrangements are making
This company are determined to move slow and
sue al first, aud organize line on a firm bas .