New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-06-20
JULY MAGAZINES.
"REMINISCENCES AND CURRENT OPINIONS.
TUg FEELIy0 BETWEEN FRENCH AND ENGLISH


Ihiiip Gdbert Hdmerfon IN The Auantc
Reasonable jealousy each ii is extremely anxious
to prevent the other nation IRON taking tne ea put
jealousy utterly denies that the rival has
any rank whatever in those arts where nor superiority Is
not manifest To be absolutely unassallaDe AS an
example may mention the way in which the jealousy of
vulgar French patriotism treats English enleavo IN tue
fine arts The vulgar frenehan coaf1nad' Artists oi
tue opposite kinds, attributes 10 tnen principles
which they do not themselves either profess or act upon
a "rol,s s' IN art the English" he says have no
painters" lie sly this. because English greatness
IN art is not recognized tue Continent IKE her com
mercial and manufacturing greatness anu peease inc
French scnool has for some time been the most hen
English have musical composers. because English
composers do not enjoy the word wide lame OF Beet
thr rank OF England IN literature and 1t Is not at.
tempted The English. nrir side cannot deny that
theatre but they can say There Is no Cnver-
,lty in France" and There ae III scholars IN
France" there being such institution rs French Ok
fori. I have never been able to determine IN which
na.on the feeling OF jealousy is the stronger II wis
IN intensity from time TO time circumstances happsn
to excite IT, Possibly 1t may he more on the surface In
France and deeper in ENGLAND frencn JEALOUSY Is ready
sions English Jealousy Is more tacturn, but unceAs-
fiere IRE two qualities in the English that Intelligent
Frenchmen respect most heartily and desire to
climatzed in France The rs Is the art OF aiapng The
system Of gDve.nmen to tho changing needs OF the
nation without convusve disturbance; and the second
is tue skill OF English statesmen in the management OF
their foreign aars-a skill which The whole has had
these results that either England has nodded III CONT
nent Al matters IN such way as obtain the results
desre DR. else when she could ompass them, she
has been prudent enough to abstain from mednng.
Therefore, on the whole, England's foreign policy has
heen either successful safe whereas tat Oi France
has on various critical occasions been fist lerllOs ad
venture AMI then "a disastrous failure.
The English, tho other hand, often admire the
cleverness OF the French but they do not respect he
except IN special The exceptions generally be-
long to the arts and sciences. An Engshnan who Is a
good Judge OF work in specially Will respect
frrnchman who shows great skill III that direction. The
difcuty which the English can be brought TO re-
spec tho French may be- party explcable by tDelr dih
Guilty In respecting fore In general unless they
baye been lead for long time ike Homer ana VIRGIL or
are inv estcd with sacred character, Ike Moses and
Isaiah. ,
II nav he further oluci lated by the peculiar condition
OF the English mind with ard 10 respect and cont nt
generally. This is subject OF cons derahe lnrlchcy
which cannot be properly treated III few words; but
may here that although the English are said to
deerental people, and have, no doubt the habit OF
de eIence distinctions they are ~ he same
time an cminenily contemptuons people. people re-
markaby III tho habit OF de,pis ng. within the
tranquil Is almost constant. ana they dwell with
rev rences nor de,piscs Consequently, when there Is
not some special reason Tor feeling Difference
toward foreigner. Engishman Is likely 10 despise
him. Froach the other nand. generally less
disposed both the ceilings ~ resiec. and OF contempt
They upon the world with IND Inference not
respecting anybody Dythine, but ready enough
tn acluoWlrdgs merits and qualities people ana
mi Is that are not the best. The French severe
critics there Is great retcnsOn; they regard
ordinary. unprcenIng people and things with good
M