San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1879-03-15
That One May Learn IN america.

and brought up in what we may call the
American school, learn more and faster
of things that arc useful and necessary
to know than the young of any other
country in tho world. This informa'
ton they gain. not in schools and from
books only, but outside Of both.
One strong popularity certainly pre-
dominates in us as people. 1t is pro-
gressiveness. We do not stand still.
Not motion only, but advancement on
ward action, is the law of our lie. 1t
was surely not an American who gave
as an excuse for not stretching out his
hand to save man from drowning that
he "had not been introduced to him."
Undoubtedly the newspaper, and,
quite as efficiently, the periodical maya
zine, the popular lectures on literary or
scientific topics, and political, polemical'
historical, aesthetic, social and even the
illogical discussions, increase our knowl'
edge and store the memory without ef-
fort with valuable information, which
books yield only slowly and laboriously.
Without these advantages, without
the means and resources of acquiring.
retaining and using knowledge thus
popularity communicated, every mans
education, however well he may BIZ
versed in the learned lore of books,
though like DR.. Person, he may have
devoured the whole Bodleian library,
will still be far below the plane of real
life and solid usefulness. 0.n .....
In 1856 two American young men
found themselves in Paris. One was a
colonel in the United States army,
spending q furlough in the French cap
ital; his friend, in civil life, an intelli-
gent denizen of the same gay metropo-
lis. They had taken their dejeuaer III
the cafe and were TRANQUILITY enjoying
their cigarettes. There sat not far from
them, alone at his table, q young gentle
man of very pleasing exterior, who, hav-
ing finished his meal, seemed interested
in the somewhat free conversation OF
his A nerican neighbors. They spoke
naturally in English. At length, rising
from his chair and advancing with a pc.
lite salutation, he inquired if he had not
the honor of addressing two American
gentlemen. Replying in English af-
frpatively, they invited him to seat
with them. He said:
81 perceived, gentlemen, from your
conversation that you were Americans,
and as I have not seen any of your ma
ton before, I confess to strong desire
to learn something Of your wonderful
country. There are two things about
you already that strike me with surprise"
he continued, and then paused, as II
afraid to proceed. Encouraged by their
polite and affable manners and being
desired to proceed with his remarks, he
said: zone thing that surprises me is
your color, and another is that you
speak English so WE'LL
Indeed" was the reply; perhaps
you will be so good as to tell us what
color you supposed us to have in Amer
ica?"
BLACK, of counsel" was the reply. 81
did not know that Americans were white.
But your speaking English SO well sur
prised me quite as much or more"
"What language did you suppose we
spoke?" politely demanded the Ameri-
cans.
"Why american, of course. Is not
that your native tongue?" was his re-
joinder.
at is now our turn to express sur
prise" said tho officer. "You seem to
speak English very well. How long
since you left England?"
He replied, with smile: "Me? 1
have never been in England in my life"
Indeed they exclaimed at once;
where then have you learned to speak |
the English language so well?"
an my native land" he said, with an
intelligent twinkle in his eye, and then
added, after pause: Il am native of
the English Island of Mauritius, in
whose schools and colleges 1 have ac-
quired what knowledge / have of the ,