New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-11-12
ENGLISH AND ANERTCAN SOCIETY.
JULIAN HAWTHORNE on TIE TWO.
PRAISE AID BLAMr FOR THE FOREIGN SYSTEM
HOPE For AMERICA.

/
HOPE FOR AMERICA.
Julian Hawthorne last night told q large
audience in The ball of the Long Island Historical Society.
Brooklyn. some OF his IDEAS English and American
Society" lie prefaoel his remarks by saying that he did
not intend to adhere very closely his subject Then he
took up the question OF what constitutes good society,
| and for quarter Of an hour devoted himself to an
analysis Of the foundation and general principles under
lying modern society In all phases OF civilized
society" he said, "thc individual has been made sub
servicnt to the community. The greatest good Of the
greatest number is the law OF civilization Speaking
general this rule found to work oerably WE'LL but it is
not the less certain that under it ntolerabe is
often wrought" Society," he considered.
governed not by actual love- human brotherhood by
any means; but self love of the most naked description
the sricest police against open infracton OF civilized
discipline and the most absolute Indifference concerning
any carnival of concealed wckcdncss But the worst Of
it is. that all the while utterng the most
Gus protests of virtue"
These some OF his conclusions: "The defect Of
human law and of the social ganism which is It's out
come is not in what it enons but in the motive which it
supplies for obedience. We yield obedience either
through fear or interest and therefore whenever fear
Interest cease TO conSran us whenever they are out
weighed by stronger passion defy the law. Tho
only remedy Of course is to do right because it Is right
10 annihatc the policemen aud Mrs. Grundy
by substituting own moral Surveillance
sclvcs Modern science and orcthougt the herads
OF atheism though OF their devoces fancy
they but of wiser and vital faith than the
world has yet known. We shall feel no sudden convul
sion bat oagrandchlldren perhaps will marvel to
hear for what insignificant prizes their poor ancestors
fought away their lives"
(which social SYSTEM" he asked, "thc English or the
American shows the most likelihood Of reaching the new
state Of things " When he had ui he'd hs audience I'M
dcrsiool that he pinned his faith 20 the American system
English socety." he SAID, has been riIeuing for
thousand years From ii' point Of view it is "a
nearly perfect human ingenuity devise. IL Is
founded upon the institution OF caste From the monarch
ut The top 10 The pauper mt the bottom. Each rank has
its fixed level and keeps to it. Between these extremes
no nglshman 50 low that lac may not look down on
lower hi IA that he may not bow 10 some
one hiahcr than him elf This has prompted thu remark
keen than kind hnt IT is logically impossible for
Epgli -hman 10 be gentleman because gentleman
neither coude norcrnses but meets all men with
the ursclHsl self respecting simplicity" lie did
not agree with this de uciiou entirely aud .tamced the
fact that although fharkcray hal often dcridci Eng
lsh snobbery he had portrayed the finest gentleman
known to fiction III Colonel Newcome in the midst Of
English environments.
..The monarchicai system" he continued. has pro
foundy modified the English character. They do not
notice I'm themselves and cannot they would change
H. r. the American apnctitc this momarchcal favor
has p ucryerSe taste and though admire it
curiosity in then WE can never make 1t wholesome for
on. YES"
Ne cypotatcd upon the value Of tho royal family in
their capacity Of Leaders q" fashion aud the great
nation hv deciding what should he worn and
how it shonld be worn ANA by settling numerous
said, worth their weight I'm gold FOR the mere say
inc Of social and tear and time and temper which
they elect" The kcv-noc to English society be f9ud
IN the phrase good form" II was something which
no you. which experience cannot impart
SPONTANEOUS in the best English society. yet so
5 Voice sorcl hing Snr@ will an ansfp ns'f s subtle
limits. It~ presence 5 noted but its absence u fatal 1t
is invaluable defence against enforced Intrusion
The intruder o>traces himself and never knows how II
happens II is sort "f secret language with Signs and
noticed in En1lanS INT t6e Esrs and Duket were
less wrllhchavcd than the Sqnires and Barons and
Barorcs and his he attributed 20 their narrower IN
h"rilance NJ traditions Another characteristic Of Eng
Sh good society he lound to he "unob'risvencss Inc
ornaments. he sail rich hut have 10 look twice
for them The tone Of conversation l. pitched ow-no
oxcit"meut no stubborn ouninus no incompromising
aiming than interesting II Is proper To smile, bt
hazariris 10 laugh AMI uupar ionable to weep. All
effort all cxcrtion all earncSncs is deprecated Those
things 70 h" LEFT 10 clrrYmen and preachers. nut
there are symptoms that they catching the polite
Indifference" Another distinctive feature Of
English society was its eq cite with regard
to the proper treatment OF servants The most
outrageous things might he done with IMMUNITY bat
you value your good name You mus no' htIp yolSel
darker side OF English good society its hypocrisy
"Whcu men and women are forced 10 conform them,
selves 10 social ritual whch an evshS"Si Wn.lu tn9
irRsonc what escape they find except IN hypociSy
And hypociSy has become so Innch matte pl E"1S
that ceases tn bear that name ana i social oy'a
mark and test of socpl merit. When dausherS are
Int and sold In open market hgh Orttr ot mpdll
cannot prevail English civilization means English
comfort. MIS-. Grund} calls morality species
of DOGGY hy which people OF the
world keep children and fools IN order
The difficulty of Am rcan society. in Mr. lia"thorncs
Judgment the absence OF any recognized standard or
ia .hon bella ior. Blu, America hal greater mi sion
than the mere adoption OF the automatic Soothhc-S 81
the ODD order of things. II the field In when
% new drama OF progress was 10 be
the American snob who merely aprd the l:ngiiSh
ln,mucr and found signs Of vigorous hcafh IN IN
horse cor Democracy" He closed with n glowing PIE
nrc of what hoped would he the outcome 0t ri the
anuarcn confusion and incOngruty Of American society
and when this happy condition WAS reached, ne ven
turrd To hope that English society would also have IN
IL. -. ..IluII- IL rlli