New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-13

RcgrigteC r7N The IrtbHat U ApF6 %.
LoNDoN, April 3, 1854
Ir. Arnold begins the publication in The Pal
MI Journal Of series Of papers embodying some
oflis impressions of American ife The first paper
dels with Chicago. and will undoubtedly provide
thinhabitants of that city with much food for re-
fiction.
remember reading in The Saturday Eectro some
ten ears ago statement TO the eject that Chi
gag might be seen the concentrated essence of
Amcicanism.' This remark happened TO coincide
Mltlrhe opinion which had already formed from
pthel considerations aud the observations which
nave made during my recent visit TO America have
only one 60 confirm its justice. For this reason
nave hosen Chicago az the subject of the first of
series y articles In which ii Is my intention TO
record he impressions received while in the United
STATES. Many OF these impressions are of fleeing,
sld all Il them of fraGmentary character and yet
nave nought that they might throw few rays of
light upn the intricate problem presented By the
eivllzatDn of the largest of English colonies and
chat iron them there might perhaps follow one
Two Oh These leading principles OF which criticism Is
III we would really know our heart. let us I'M
partially view our actions" / trust that shall not
foo fairfax he forbearance of Mr. Frederic Harrison
by once moe quoting from that most estimable Of
writers, blhOp Wilson. That which most i'm
pressed me curing my stay in Chicago as well as in
the other American cities of the larger sort which
Visited, was certain assumption of culture, which
upon close observation l found to be very super
AcIally Varnlhed over very solid basis of Phllls
ttnism. This affeetatiOn of concern tor the thing
Of the spirit, which may very easily be seen to be
nothing more than an afectstion, is chiefly OBJ.
served in its aesthetic aspect. OF ethical culture
there + hardy any pretence From sheer stress of
habit the members Of the clergy dispense from the
pulpit their weekly mOdicum of diluted mOralties,
snd from sheer force of fashion the respectable
Ehat is said tOthem. But IL would be safe TO say
that the condition of the trade in timed meats,
" pork OF IN gain. has the largest share Of then
thoughts even curing the hour of OstensiOle de
votion. The inevitable curse of the money getting
spirit is writ large, il were in the action Of this
population of halt a million souls II is an easy
Of r. "A ~
this when its actions ale so open % the view OF all
pen As an Illustration OF the slight extent 20 which
Englishmen of reputation generally known in
america, may mention an amusing incident which
happened in Chicago / was cOnveTsing with an III
teligan gentleman Of commercial pursuits and in
the course ot what was said took occasion 10 re-
mark that Mr. Herbert Spencer had lately been IN
America. My friend seemed little surprised at
Erst, and then said " Oh, yes. he came back from
Europe last summer" learned upon further in
quiry that reference was made 10 Mr.. Hubbard
Spencer, who IL Chicago tTadesman. enga ged, be
Geve in the iron business, and who had recently
uade summer trip TO Europe. ] trust may ID
bardoned 81 ate 80 in connection with 'tbs lir
Gle thing about myself which found quite amusing
~ tine one just mentioned. | was cOuveIaIng wIIh
, lady who was kind enough 20 tell me that she
had read ny works and greatly admired them
sxpTeSsed my qualification at learning that the ideas
Of sweetness and light of which have humbly
feavored TO become an exponent had been 50 kindly
Eepeyed IN this distant place. and yentured 10 ASK
which OF my works sue hOnOred with her prefer
ence. little to my surprise she mentioned " Ton
But 70 take the matter more seriously, / gave my
sef tho pains TO ask a large number of the appar-
entity cultivated people with whom came in con
faett' whether they had read @Oberma1nl" A the
Jesuit Of these inquiries must state the melancholy
fact that TO all but one OF those questioned, the
name was wholly unfamiliar, and this one under
stood me as referring to gentleman OF that name
who is she proprietor OF CHEMISTS shop in Chicago
do not know of any other little thing connected
with my stay IN America which gave me such
sense of the crudeness of American culture. WHAT
another alchemy was that of the author OF ODER
mann, than the art practlsed by the Chicago chem
list In MS DAILY dlspcn sdtlOuS
During my stay II Chicago, attended a very
pleasant little reception given by the Literary Clun
pf that city. l call it the Literary Club becau~e
that Is the name by which II Is known. and not ID
any WAY to imply that IN so large city rs Chicago
there Is but one society OF that character should
Judge. indeed, that there must be many similar
nuolel of persons who sufficiently released from
the demands OF the psAIng business ne OF tAf city
% be thus drawn together by the bond OF culture,
and Tar my recollection serves me, the greater
number Of the persons OF literary pursuits whom
had the pleasure OF meeting were not included
among the members of the particular association II
which | am speaking. This evening afforded NE
curious Illustration Of that mDnatlOn IL the per-
son of the individual of bushes. ability and cul-
TuTed tastes which 80 often had occasion 10 note
while IN the States pleasant little paDer on tie
subject of Phstinlsn was read, aud as the subject
d IN which have taken some interest, ! uatu-
rally gave IL close attention. tOI which felt fully
repaid. Wishing 10 learn the profession OF the gem
tlemau who had So lntelhgently nandi ed the sub
feet. made inquiry OF a friend who informed
chat the essayst was the owner Of a large grocery
business. i learned also upon making further in'
Qury. that besides members OF the clergy and OF
the LEGAL profession. whom / should naturally eX-
poet 10 ind in such o society as tins, there was
very large element consisting OF success. NJ trades
men, such MERGERS, lTOn-mOngers and packers
hcL latter term Is applied % dealers In the class
OF food products derived from the hog
| was especially interested when at Chicago, as
was throughout ny stay in America, in observing
the various religious bodies, anu IL trying 20 get
some insight into their spiritual life II Is quite un
Deceasary to that III country where there Is no
established church, there can De No such dendIca
tiou between the D>senters and the members OF tie
% a ID
The mode of worship OF the DSseut0Ts has about 4
Shst baroness winch is noticeable IN England bgt
TINS may be 10 almost equal degree IN the
bodies of non dISscuters. attended one sunday
morning. the chapel IN which services dIe cOa.
Quoted by one OF the most popular OF the dissenting
ministers Of Chicago. The chapel was really moth
lug else than the large hall III which most of the
more important concerts i2ndaectres are gwen and
u wLlCA had myself IectuTed but a lew nights be.
fore. The audience IN attendance upon this service
seemed 20 be made up OF a well-tO-dO and intel..-
gent class Of people and / afterwaTd learned that
Regular attendance here stands IN Chicago sign
OF cultured tastes. 80 when atterward l tried 10
put my recOllecuOns together IN some sort Of order
I came 90 the conclusion that from al had heard
should be justified IN assuming the tone of these
services to be fairly typical OF the ideal OF culture
prevailing Ia Chicago. Here, must confess was
GisaPpC nted. l heard SO much OF the language 81
culture in the higher classes OF Chicago society, that
W. almost prepared 20 admit that had been
Justly preludiced in the statements which have
made from time TO time concerning America, but q
the discourse % which listened on the morning o1
which speak stands in any way as expression II
the Chicago ideal Of culture that ideal Is, regTeJ
60 SAY. low one. | shall venture to say that It a
CHIEFLY lacking IN definition of aim. and yet, alas
know how little right 1 have 10 indulge in such q
criticism. for have not been accused OF being sadly
h seek, myself, u philosophy With coherent Ill
terde pendent, subordinate and derivatlye prlncl.
pies There was something quite pathetic % me 4
the thought that tins discourse. with its drearv
waste Of unctuOus commonplace, It's diluted rhetoric
and judgments, many of them ludicrOusly mis-
conceived. should lie TO such audience as I saw
hbOut me the embodiment of cultured thought. and
from time 10 time | could not help thinking that
Phil stusm in its frank English expression a
less unpleasant sight than Was Afforded by the
thiuiy-d sgused PuIistInisn which was here I'M
posing on itself and making pretence OF culture.
Chicago society. should saw, although no one
can be more painfully aware than myself OF how
Inadequate were my opportunities Tor observation
has Just reached that stage Of its Development at