New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-01
MR. ARNOLD OV AMERICA.


As Mr.. Matthew Arnold has been complain
ing for many years of the civilization OF MS
own country, Il is not remarkable that he is
dissatisfied with the conditions of social and
political life in America. AS will be seen by the
analysis Of his latest contribution TO literature
contained in our special cable dispatches he
complains of everything that goes on here, ex-
cept the dropping of the title "esquire " and
the retention of natural manners among Ameri-
can women. So long is the catalogue of our
failings and vices, and so acrid is his manner
in recounting our besctting sins. that sensitive
Americans may be disposed to give up in de-
slair if they fail to remember that his structures
upon the life and character OF the Germans
French and English have been equally drastic.
In searching for his mystic grail the perfect
civilization Mr. Arnold has affected all his
life long the cynical manner of Diogenes IN
looking for the uncreated honest man. He has
never succeeded in finding positive traces OF
it in any country with whose history and man
ners he is converSant His American friends
will not be surprised by his confession that his
search has been equally futile on this side OF
the Atlantic. 1t may be melancholy result
| for the reputation of Western civilization and
republican institutions, but it is fortunate
, thing for Mr. Arnold himself. If he had found
the ideal civilization here, or even remote and
tagging approach to it, his occupation would
| have lapsed he would have ceased to be him
self. and in despair be would have kicked over
the taow dip he has been carrying about so
long. As it is, he goes On his way grumbling,
and is miserable and detected in his own in
comparable way.
Our London correspondent makes distinc-
ton between Mr.. Arnold's cauStic criticism of
English manners and his savage structures and
insulting lampoons upon American institutions
and society. lie argues very properly that
| representative man of letters is at liberty TO
say many things about his own country which
he should refrain from saying about foreign
nation. The injustice Of such diatnbc as
this, based as it apparently is on tlylalltleS
unworthy of serious consideration, stingS a
| loyal and thorough-going American abroad.
and Mr. Smalley naturally deplores the pub
| LEGATION of the ill-tempered article as one that
will not tend to add 10 good feeling between
| the two countries. Mr.. Arnolds reputation,
however, as a pessimist and a common scold
respecting everything connected with social
progress and modern civilization is so well
esta blished. that we do not think the article
will have any appreciate effect on intesna-
tional comfy. Americans have grown indie
pendent of foreign criticism. and rely with
such confidence upon their own judgment in
adapting their civilization to the conditions and
requirements Of their own life that the strict
ures OF even great master of English prose
like Mr.. Arnold will not disturb them. Be-
sides his function in literature and philosophy
is not that of impressing his own ideas upon
people. but rather that Of stimulating intel
lectual activity and enabling them to think
for themselves and to find out what they really
need. His criticism on social customs is al
ways bitter but it is none the less an inylg-
! Grating tonic