Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-04-22
Archibald Forhess Impressions Of America
and Americans.

what do | think of America 2" said
Archibald Forbes, the war correspondent,
to an interviewer in New York, Saturday.
"well, think you have n country and
people to be admired-to use the mildest
term. have been very agreeably disap-
pointed. In our profession we are accus
toned to study human nature, and, while
| have been in this country, | have seen
Il side of character which | never saw be-
fore, and which must say. | never ex-
pected to see The English have the idea
that the American people are n race of i'll
hammered, bad-tempered people. But
thev were never more mistaken i'll their
lives. There are no bad manners in this
country. What has been mistaken for
bad manners is the abruptness. One says
to ticket agent "Can you sell me n
ticket to such place." He replies !:
Two fifty, and hands ono out to you.
You instantly think We'll. you are an
ill-tempered fellow not to answer my
question, but, on reflection, You become
satisfied that it is the most practical way
of doing business. You ask a man to
move little. He does not hear you and
he says Aye, instead Of Beg your par
don, sir But as soon as he catches your
meaning he is all politeness and takes an
interest III your welfare.
Then. do You consider the Americans
a sympathetic people?'
Mot sympathetic, but human. l
missed train i'll the West. The brutes
in England would have laughedat me and
said, You'll be i'll time for the next one.
But what did they say out west? oh,
that is to bad and Immediately helped
me to get out Of the difficulty as much as
was in their power | have met no brutes
in this country At first | thought the
hotel clerk was one. He will answer
your questions in mechanical sort of
way, and throw II key mt yon, as much as
to say. what the devil do you want. any
| how?' left the fremont House, in Bos-
| ton, on this account. But experience has
] taught me IL lesson, and ] now think the
| hotel clerl, is the travelling mans best
| friend. His manners are abrupt. because
| the public doesn't want to hear two words
when one will suffice. But if you want to
/ find ont anything, to get anything, or to
have ANYTHING done, YOU 60 10 the
same clerk whom you have thought churl-
| isl, and he does 1t for you readily und
satisfactorily
Have you noticed any peculiar Ameri-
can hnbits?'
"les, there is one thing. and that Is
the disgusting habit Americans have oi
clearing their throats. Canadians are also
peculiar. They never shut II door.
asked a boy in Il hotel what n door wa,
for, and he replied, To goin by But,
speaking Of Canadians, reminds me of my
trip through Canada. II was one continual
supper and speech making. could
not get away The Canadians are genial
gentlemunly men; men Of sterling chnrac
} ter, who, believe, mean we'll. But they
are msuiirrably slow. They admire tn,
Americans, and, when an American hap
pens among them, they receive him witi
open arms cannot do too much for him
But when they cross the border, they M,
dignity pcrsoniiied, and keep the Ameri
ems at the elbow Joint, M If every maj
they met wanted to rob them"
Have you discovered any swlndles -
Not by any means. In not Il SINGH
instance has there been any attempt t.
get the better of me. You pay no mucl
per day at the hotel, or 50 much for TIN
OF that, the price of which can always b
ascertnlned. | do not see as there is an,
chance for man who has his wits abou
him to he swindlcd There aro no POI
ters ur servants to ask you for nttcndanc
fees. If you give the man II quarter 10
carrying your baggage it il your own nj
fair entirely. There is no question bu
! what America ~ IL very great country
= and | mean to come back to it,