The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-22
THE FIELD OF LITERATURE.
oceana-Enriand and Her Colonies.

Scribners Sons have published James An
thony Froude's new hook Of the above title,
"Oceana." being Sir James Harrington's dream
of the future British commonwealth. as con-
ceived by him, century ago, extending over the
world and pouring its wealth into the heart as
represented by the home government Mr.
Froude details how this dream failed of realiza-
ton; how the great American republic was driv-
en- away through tyranny. and how other colonies
were allowed to slip their leashes because they
were deemed Improbable under the mode OF
government attempted by England, which re-
suited in innumerable bills Of expense on ac-
count of war, and precious little return in any
shape. The present volume is running account
Of a trip to Australia via Cape of Good Hope
and return via the United States. Referring to
the fact that since the United States secured its
independence it has prospered amazingly,
he expresses regret that this country
should attract so many Of the amigrants who
leave Great Britain to find homes elsewhere.
fully 80 per cent. casting their lot in the United
States, the remaining 20 per cent being scat
tered among the others He fears that England
cannot longer rely on low wages and other ad-
vantages that once were hers. cit has become
doubtful" he says, seven to the political econ
omist, whether England can trust entirely to
free trade and competition to keep the place she
has hitherto held. Other nations press us with
their rivalries Expenses increase, manufactures
languish or cease to profit. Revenue, once so
expansive becomes stationary. Business may.
probably will. blaze up again. but the growth of
n n on ho Sod
whiie population increases and hungry stomachs
multiply, requiring the three meals day, what
ever the condition Of the markets. Hence,
those among US who have disbelieved all along
that great nation can venture its whole fort
uncs safely on the power Of underselling its
neighbors in calicoes and iron work no longer
address public opinion entirely cold" In other
words. England is losing her prestige in this d.
rection, and can no longer rely on free trade in
the confidence of being able to undegse,l the
world.
The greater part Of the volume Is taken up
with an entertaining but rather forid descrip-
ton OF his voyage to Australia and New Zealand,
with incidents en- route and sketches of places
and countries; but If these are no more trust
worthy than his remarks on what he saw in this
country while on the way home they will not be
of much value for reference. His pronounced
priggshness and attempts at cheap wit provoke
the wonder, if, indeed, this work be from the pen
of Mr.. Froude, though. after all. the narrowness
shown is so thoroughly English" that it may be
that this is but proof of its genuineness. He is
generous enough. however, to concede some lit
tie excellence in general way, and says.
.'The problem how to combine a number of
self. governed communities into single Com
monwealth, which now lies before Englishmen
who desire to see federation of the empire, has
been solved, and solved completely In the Ameri-
can Union. Each State is free to manage
its own private affairs, to legislate for itself,
subject to the fundamental laws of the Union;
and to administer its own internal governments.
with this reservation only--that repsration Ia
not to be thought of. The right to separate was
settled once for all by civil war which,
s.rSs Though II might nigh BE- was not
the issues which were involved. Had
the South succeeded in winning independence.
the cloth once rent would have been rent again.
There would not have been ono America, but
many Americas. The new world would have
There would have been rival communities, with
rival constitutions, democracies passing into
military despotisms standing armies, intrigues
and quarrels, and wars On wars. The complete
8cc0Dt90
shows that the Americans understood the alter
native that lay before them.'
This is quite concession for man 30 bitterly
preiudiced as Mr.. Froude is against all things Of
democratic tendency At San Francisco he
loftily declined to visit the Yosemite becauss he
had already seen big trees in Australia, and Aus
tralia was somewhat English. Besides, he did not
like to visit any natural scenery simply for the
sake of seeing II. If he could come across such
things in the ordinary course Of travel, very
good but IL not. he did not care to go out Of his
way to do 80. This same spirit was shown by his
refusing to visit Niagara, though he stopped at
Buffalo for a time The thing that provoked the
greatest remark by him at San francisco was
the fact that he could get board at the Palace
Hotel au troisieme for fifteen shiiiincs. This
is about equal to the account given by
young man after an overland trip to California.
Being asked to give q description Of what
he saw. he declared that he hadn't seen anything
worth repeating, but being pressed. said at last.
he had seen yellow dog with his foot cut of!
Mr.. Froudes description of his journey across
the continent is puerilc, and his interest In
things nearly nil At Chicago he discovered
breezes blowing over the lake "from Canada"
and learned that they killed 'as many as 5000
pigs day." Canadian breezes at Chicago are
little far-fetched. and as for the $1,000 pigs
killed day." ten times 5000 would como nearer
tho truth. At Buffalo he becomes facetious.
Buffalo had no attractions; SILVER now at
the thought Of II. There may he seasons Of the
year when the Buffalo gals come out at night
and dance on the grecn, and then IL may be
pleasant enough, but not at the beginning Of an
icy May did not even turn aside. though 1t
would have coat but three or four hours. to SEQ
Niagara"
1t is hard to conceive Of any man seriously
penning such trash to incorporate It in book
on British politics. for such this is under thin
disguise Of being one Of travels. And, as il this
were not bad enough. he gives as original one Of
the oldest 'chestnuts," as follows:
IT was staying at the house Of an American
friend at no great distance from it 1.-THE Fallsl q