Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-01
An Americans Impressions OF England.

Mr.. Horace White, the Chicago journalist
has contributed to the Fortaightly Rerie,c hi
impressions Of England in livelyand interest
ing article. lie is astonished at the quickness
with which England has been able to estab-
lish public education, and at the lightness oil
taxation for municipal purposes, largely due,
as he admits, to the prodigious accumulation
Of wealth from mere lapse of time, and to
the fact that London and other cities have
completed their most onerous Improvements,
while American cities are still young. He
thinks some Plimsoll could find field for
effective reform in the vast poverty Of poor
London. lie is not frightened at the estab-
tished church. nor at the Romish church in
either country, nor at the land question, but
testifes to the extraordinary fertility of the
English soil and agriculture. He admires
the modesty Of personal expenditure among
the rich, but the railway cars he visits with
proper and humorous condemnation lie
congratulates the courts that they are not
pestered with questions of constitutionality,
and thinks them better than ours.
Of the English civil service, he says
Tho English civil service, though perhaps
no better than some Of the continental sys-
tens, is text upon which any American
who has had to 90 with public affairs may
preach long sermon to his own country
men In England perceive that the forces
of society conspire to make the person hold
Ing an administrative Office, efficient. faith
ful, diligent and trustworthy. How far the
original appointment 10 Office may be con-
trolled by fayoritism, do not inquire. Bat
it is very clear that if the appoiniee turns
out rascal, an ignoramus, OF sluggard, he
must prove so in garing despite of the sys-
TEN under which he holds his place. since
he is sure Of retaining it if he is meritorious.
Of the drinking habits of the English, he
says;
But excessive moisture and cold climate
are more convenient than philosophical, as
reasons to explain why the Englishman is
addicted to sherry, brandy, and stout. while
the Frenchman, German, and Italian are
content with sweetened wate-. light wines,
and thin beer have seen more alcoholic
liquor consumed in New Orleans and San
Francisco. where neither excessive moisture
nor cold weather prevails, than in any other
American cities The drinking in these
places, however, seems to be rather per-
functory than enjoyable in the way
Of bOisterOus politeness and good fellowship
than as means of assuaging thirst. With
an Englishman, drinking seems 20 be mat
ter of true inwardne->.' lie drinks be-
cause he likes the liquor and its effects. Ii
a man must burn his stomach and poison his
blood with alcohol, it seems more reasonable
that he should do 50 because he likes it than
because he doesn't The inevitable penalty
50 forciblv set out by Dr. Carpenter would
seem to have sort of compensation IN the
one case which would be wanting in the
other. The difference in aspect between
Paris cafe and London tap-room l. well
calculated to make Frerchman gasp. and
the spectacle of women who are not haTlots
drinking raw gin at public bar has stag
gering effect upon the American tourist. al
though he can find great deal OF intemper-
ance without wearing out his shoes at home
The efforts on foot for repressive legislation
in England, | venture TO predict, will ial. OF
accomplishing their end, whether Parlla-
ment shall be persuaded to adopt it or not.
In America it has been found TO succeed IN
localities where the people are nearly all
temperance men - and 10 fail everywhere
else.
Mr. White regards England as more re-
publican than America because public
opinion acts more speedily, sCrely and eff
fectiyely" there than here, and ministry
can be thrown out within week. And, on
the whole, he thinks exceedingly well OF
England and the English.