Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-06
Where the Best Americans Are
Found.

1t is pity that the well-taught and well-bred
girl or boy, even in what are the best grades OF
American life, should be led to suppose that
American life is incomplete till the 'laSt sweet
thing has been added in Europe. 1t must be
confessed that the impression given, both In Mr..
James tales and in several of Mr.. HoWells', is
that which we once heard frankly expressed by
an English traveller of distinction: "Of course.
you know" he said, THAT no one would go to
America If he could help it,
The example seems to be contagious. For in
recent number of the atlantic, for instance, in
discussing Matthew Arnold's fears that England
Will be "Amer1canzed," writer discusses
American sl manners from point OF view as little
Intelligent as would be suliuJ Of the n2niieIs
OF the planet Mars. For his theory Is that While
the ''hideousnesS" and vulgUtty OF this coun-
try's manners are undeniable, redemption Is
only to be expected by the work of few sen
thusiastic individuals conscious of cultivated
tastes and generous desires" These enthusi-
aStS, as we are elsewhere told, are ''rather
highly civilized individuals, few in each OF our
great cities and their envirOns." But, all the
same, 1t Is true that 1t Is neither in the best cir
Giles of the large cities nor in their worst circles
that the social types distinctively American are
to be found.
1t is in the smaller cities of the interior, in the
northern, middle and southwestern states that
there exists an elegant and simple social order,
as entirely unknown In England, Germany or
Italy, as the private life of the dukes or princes
of the blood is unknown in America We might
say this OF almost any town compact enough for
easy society. In towns whose names Mr.. Ar
mold never heard, and never will hear, there
will be found almost invariably group OF
people OF good taste, good manners, good edu-
cation, and Of self-reSpect, peers Of any people
in the word. Such people read the best books,
they interpret the best music. they are interest
ed In themes worldwide, and they meet each
other with that mutual courtesy and that self
respect which belong to men and women who
are sure of their footing. II by any accident the
SnobS of city life think they are patronKing
these people to the manner born, Il is quite GER
tain that these Russells and Percys are quite as
much amused by the cOckneyism OF the snoD, as
the snob is amused by what he thinks
the rusticity of the Russells and the Percys.
1t is such people who keep the whole Santi-
ment OF the land up to a high standard
when war comes, or rebellion, OF a crisis In
finance. While the few ''rather highly civilized
Individuals are hopping backwards and for
wards over the Atlantic to learn what is the last
keynote which pnchback Emperor has de-
cided on, or what Is the last gore which man.
and ladies, in the dignity of their own homes,
are making America 1t is they who maintain
the national credit, it IS they who steadily i'm
prove the standard OF national education. But
If it ever should happen that hard destiny
should force Mr.. Arnold to cross the Atlantic, as
a hard destiny forced that English clergyman
whose courteous remark we have cited, and II
it should so happen that Mr.. Arnold, with an
EngliShman'S passion for discovery, should
undertake to travel in the interior Of America
and If, with his own courtesy, he should invite
the reviewer of the Atlantic to go with him in
his explorations, he would find manner of life
belonging to the highest civilization, in towns,
in counties and in states whose names he had
never heard; and possibly, it would be as new
to his American companion as to him.-fBoStO
ADVERTISER.