New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-16
ANGLO1NFRICAN BRIDES

Mr. Joseph Chamberlain took unto himself yes
tcrday an American bridc-thus concluding
one treaty, at least, which commands
the cordial approval and good will Of
the United States Within few weeks
the gentleman who will be at the head of the
British Legation in Washington until a new Min
lister is appointed will follow Mr.. Chamberlans
example, and make sure OF being persona
grata" to Government. There are signs that
this westward, not to say hayward, tendency
the part of Englishmen in search of wives ex-
cites some alarm at home. AS Mr. Chamberlain
is what is technically known in England as a
parsonage, though he has no title, the English
papers have devoted solemn leaders to the event,
in which the American girl is discussed in all
her bearings. The tone of some OF these articles
would seem to show that the English matrimonial
market is hard hit by the proportions which Ameri-
can competition is assuming. If the editor of
The London Standard" for example, were a
manageable British female" which is not likely,
that newspaper could hardly have displayed grea er
bitterness OF spirit 1t intimates that the Ameri-
can girl knows too much and pushes her own way
with too great energy expresses its preference. in
the good old fashioned British manner. for little
t.mdfy and hesitation in young woman, and
even goes SO far TO say that American girls
:" will succeed in the London drawing-rooms as
their brothers succeed in the dry-goods stores OF
New-York. and for much the same reason"
This is harsh but 1t shows an Improvement
after Ill., in the nteligen of the Brton OF this
type regarding Americans. The old impression OF
this country, where the men sit with their
feet the mantel-piece when they are not en-
gagged in cheating another in land sales, and
where they wear bowie-knves, chew tobacco and
expectora:e in the fireplace, has given way TO an
impression Of America as place where the people
all live in boarding houses, divorces much a
matter of course marriages, the young men
spend their time cheating one another in sales of
dry-goods, and the young women are pert that
not even the vitreous stare OF an Englishnan can
put them out Of countenance. AT this rate OF
progress it will not be many wears before the
London newspapers will learn that shooting
ARRAY in Montana does not necessarily mean that
the police system Of New York is very bad, or
that lynching in Idaho cannot be said TO have
occurred in the very shadow Of Harvard College,
or that forks frequently used by the better
class of Americans. or that the girl from the
States who is sef-reliant and capable, and at the
same time exhibits in her demeanor freedom
which is easy TO be understood by those who have
any familiarity with American life is not there
fore necessarily an undesirable person to bring
into family. The old British notion that we
are lawless people seems 10 have been succeeded
by the milder idea that we are a vulgar people
The writer who generalizcs on this subject is
likely TO lose himself plctely Certainly the
Englshman who declared That American girls did
very we'll as wives for men who move in the glare
of the footlights OF society. but were not fitted
TO shine as tender domestic companions, is a sad
example Of too great readiness In generalization
There so many girls in America. and In England:
and no two Of them are quite alike But this much
IL. 10 sl...t
can girls are practical. self reliant and fitted 10
interest themselves in the occupations and am.
billions OF their husbands Just so far they approach
tho ideal of true equality between the sexes which
does not imply at all that they need 70 change
places and Just so far they advance from the ola