Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-09-17
BOOK REVIEW.

one volume, added other chapters to them,
which the new and the old worlds are COM
pared. Now Mr.. Hattons right to critieise
and compare cannot be questioned, nor will
the expression of his views have any imme-
| date marked effect upon our civilization;
but it is interesting to know what ascholarly
and obseryant foreigner thinks about us and
ours, and we may proftably, perhaps, con
slider his views, and cannot fail to be enter
! tanned thereby. We glance at few Of his
expressions to see how we stand revealed
therein. Any critical consideration Of his
thoughts which appears to be demanded are
reserved, that an epitome may be presented
Indicative of the tone Of the whole work.
In the first place, he declares that this
great Republic is marching on, and puts
himself into graceful attitude by prefacing
that he stands upon the sidewalk of SYM
pathetic neutrality, watching the mighty
procession as it moyes. Believing that inter-
national amity Is promoted by a knowledge
of each other ty England and America, he
offers his criticisms ''as humble contribu.
tion in that direction" In his eyes America
looks forward, while England looks back
America is making money and building cities
England is spending the accumulated
wealth Of ages. The story of Colorado is
wonderful, but that of Kansas more extraor-
binary. 1t is grand thing to have hand
in such progressive work as we are engaged
in, yet he'd rather be an old man in London
than in New York. But as young man
he'd take issue with Mr. Ruskin, and live
content in country that possesses no castles,
for he believes men are more than castles.
and living hearts better than dead stones.
Boston he pronounces the most English of
our cities. Our metropolitan society he
thinks tends to make intellect aristocratic,
and to give knowledge and culture foremost
places but this is not SO in English
cities, although it obtains some
what in London. AS to the differ
ence of legal liberty in England and in
America, the latter has only one advantage,
and that is in the matter of shooting"
For wilflul murder one is certain to be hanged
in England, but in the United States the
chances of escape are numerous. The reason
for this is the uncertainty Of the law vindi-
eating itself here. There is more practical
and certain justice under the law in England
than in America. The higher the thief in
England the more severely he is dealt with;
the law is sweet for the poor and bitter for
the rich, and this is the result of the work Of
the press, under the whip of which Courts
have arrived at an exaggerated recognition of
the responsibilities of education and wealth
when they let their angry passions rise. In
many cases American houses in cities are
better built than in the old country, but
throughout America, in furnishing them
there is singular uniformity, an absence of
individual taste. If our Government would
admit the art manufactures of Europe free
of duty, American houses, he thinks,
would soon be as well decorated as are the
English, because art eleYates nation.
American houses are generally painfully
blank for lack of good pictures and wccthy
articles of sculpture and pottery, He does
not think this due to want of taste, but to
the high cost of gratifying it. Rent is double
what it is in England, and taxes are abomin-
ally high. The whole spirit OF the regulations
of the customs is harsh and offensive with
us. The theater is not a necessity to Eng
lish life, as it is to Americans, and while the
stage has a wholesome influence, artistically
it has not advanced here in recent year 8.
The traveller with his eyes and ears open is i'm
pressed in America with the prevalent mis-.
representation in both countries of the man.
ners and customs of each, the desire to be
clever and amusing, leading the writers Of
both countriesinto exaggeration and misrepre-
sentation. AS rule, restlessness prevails with
US, but the opposite obtains in England, and
that iswhy England is attractive to Americans
seeking rest. The natural gallantry of Amer
lean men toward women, their consideration
for women of every class, puts to shame the
most polished nations of Europe. The very
fact that woman is alone gives her i'm.
munity from insult here; but in London a
pretty girl or well-dressed woman cannot
walk along any leading thoroughfare without
being insulted by word or look half dozen
times. 1t is an evidence of capacity for
the very highest civilization that this busy
people, in the midst of all kinds of vulgar
drawbacks, with the scum of Europe con-
stantly pouring in upon them, has kept pure
as gold its respect for women and true as
steel its love for little children. He likes the
opsn-door manners of our people. The gar
dens OF our villas are not fenced from view,
there is wonderful accessibility about
our stores and our houses. "You can
walk right in and interview any
body in America, from the President down
ward. Not at home aud engaged do
not belong to the white lying vocabulary of
the United States" This freedom of inter
course, this frankness of business men, is one
of the most agreeable impressions the stranger
receives. There is nothing like it in London.
In America everybody is considered entitled
to hearing. The clear prospect of advance.
ment for youths in business and trades is the
great reason why they look earnest and hone
ful in America in the establishments where
they labor. The idea propagated with us
that the English nation does not sympathize
with Ireland, has no feeling for her woes, and
is unwilling to do her justice, he deems too
absurd for serious consideration. The food
provided at hotels and restaurants along our
railways is usually bad and dear. Ten years
10 the history of America is half century Of
European progress. Ten years ago England
was unrivalled in all athletic games; it is
true still, but with the difference indicated.
Ten years ago America could produce no high
class wood engraving; there is nothing finer
than her book and magazine illustra-
tons to-day. Ten years ago her manufactures
were comparatively Insignificant, to-day they
successfully rival England's. The smugly
honest English inn-keeper puts the Bible in