Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-05-26

When some people bid themselves of, theygo
at high price; and they not seldom suppose
that all the world, as well as themselves, can
be made to believe they are worth it, Illus
trations of this variety of human peculiarities
can be found the world over; but, to find the
richest and most impressive, we must 60 to
England, talk with the Londoners, and read
the London Times We in the United States,
who speak English and are therefore
most occupied and influenced by what is writ
ten in that language, have not heretofore APP
preciated as other nations do the lordly self
confidence OF English egotism. In time we
shall see more clearly, and form the habit Of
studyingth tie history Of Europe without Englisl,
help.
1t is the fortune OF the English nation, to
which Scotland, Ireland, and Wales are APP
pendages, to have a widely circulated journal
that very accurately represents its pecuhari-
ties, and especially those which are most OF
fensive to other nations. The London Times
is English and nothing else, and in nothing
more English than in the arrogance, bad
breeding, and unconscious stupidity Of Eng
lish self conceit, which is enormous far be-
yond what is possible among any other peO-
pie on the civilized portion of the globe. We
ought now to understand the real significance
of the London Times, and hear its talk with
equanimity if not with Indifference, and re-
press all responsive demonstrations beyond 4
little quiet ridicule. The utterances of that
journal are important, chiefly through our al
lowance, and not by virtue of any thing OUT
side that feverish sensitiyeness of which we
are fast becoming cured; and when one can
listen to them with entire self-composure and |
take them at their real value, they become
good deal more amusing than important
The London Times has just put forth an
other of its oracular judgments in regard to
the condition of affairs in this country. We
cannot borrow money in Europe, it says, be-
cause we are sure to end in bankruptcy.
"Even the subjugation of the south must in
volve the federal finances in ruin, and ''these
facts being recognized in Europe render the
possibility of a federal loan entirely out of
the question" After listening to this ''in-
spired utterance" what loyal American will
dare to think well Of his country and believe
her worthy of confidence! True, Great Brit
ain owes debt so enormous that nobody sup
poses ii will ever be paid; true, the regular
annual taxation of the British people is nearly
up to the limit of the utmost than can be
borne; true, certain changes that are quite
possible would suddenly hurl Great Britain
into the ruin of hopeless bankruptcy,
and reduce her to less than third
rate power; yet the London Times is
comfortably blind to all this, and talks as
if the rest OF mankind could not see
it. 1t is true, also, that we have not asked
England to loan US money, and that we
should not be likely to do SO even if it were
possible for her to pay her own debt and have
surplus in her treasury; and the Times does
not actually believe its own talk against our
credit; its real purpose is to make to US |
lordly declaration of the superiority of that
Europe, in which this England is one of those
"great powers" most OF which long since ceas-
ed to be able to pay their debts. Doubtless
we should be awe struck and humbly feel our
''nothingness," as the London Times intends.
We have very noteworthy manifestation
OF this English self-importance and suuerciI
business in Kinglakes work on the invasion of
the Crimea. The purpose OF this book is to
glorify Lord Raglan and the British army,
and depreciate the French, from the emperor
down, and especially the French soldiers
who went with the English to the Crimea;
and the author glorifes and vilifes with such
cool, unreasOning, INSCRIPTIONS, and afro
cious satisfaction and persistency, that one
would be inclined to think him insane, if it
were not remembered that he is an English
man. Most English journals and reviews
have praised this work without stint; but
very few, like the Edinburg Review, have
treated it as it deserves, being moved partly
by perception of its injustice, and partly by
the consideration that such English books are
not adapted to charm the people of France
and preserve the alliance of the s.Westerp
powers;" but, after all, it is not so much such
books that are offensive as that English reali-
ty out of which the books come.
ANN (YnTYrYr~