The critic. (Washington, D.C.) 1890-1891, 1891-02-04
ENGLISH HUSBANDS.
They Are Not Tyrnnts, But Are Clear
and Kfssabie,


From ne Detroit Netrs.
have often wondered how IL was that
no Englshwoman has yet been aggressive
enough to take up her pen in behalf of
the much maligned English husband.
The general idea Of him on this side of the
water, by those not fortunate enough to
have met him on his native heath, is that
of an oyerbcaring inconsideratc domestic
tyrant, who exacts the most complete sub
mission from wife and children. Since /
have Just finished reading an article in
my last magazine, Of similar import,
have determined TO tell what | know of
English husbands.
During my school days my most init
mate friend was u young lady OF good
family, although they were not wealthy,
and possessed Of charming manners and q
face that won her many admirers wher-
ever she went. She met young English
man who was over here on business con-
nected with his fathers iron interests in
England and, after n prolonged engage
ment, owing to the ideas of her family as
to the general Mogulishness Of all English
men, they were married.
After my school days were over ] spent
one summer in England and was invited
to visit my friend, which / was pleased to
do. She was now the mother Of two of
the loveicst children / ever saw, had q
Dtuutllul nDIUt, ullu lltT lONtT-uuoUdilu
was her most devoted subject. or course
Iexpected that the innate principles of
tyranny would manifest themselves in
some manner before long, but they never
did.
Much senseless ridicule has been heaped
upon the Englishman's love of his tub or
bath-but, If the men of this country
practiced that rite oftener, their presence
would be more desirable than IL some
tit,,o lie frhio fapt 1aarIxy in,t.raoqad
on my mind as, morning after morning,
Mr.. d. presented himself in the dining
room, fresh and rosy, clear skin and eyes,
and fresh, lSissable mouth, and always in
| the best of spirits. There could be no
better exponent of the truth of all the
maxims and dogmas of cleanliness. How
often do we see in this country our hus-
breakfast, half asleep and cranky, while
he diffuses the odor of last nights cigars
and whisky from bis beard and hair. Or,
If he happens to be good-natured, his
spirits find vent In vulgar expressions
and buffooncry, fit only for a saloon.
All reforms are said to originate with
cranks, and am willing tobear the title
if l can call the attention of my country.
men to their sad disregard Of all the little
external graces that go to make up dig
nifed, courteous man. With true hearts
noble impulses and keen, active, brains
their lamentable lack of dignity cause.
the American genus homo to compare iln
fayorably with the Britisher'of less men
tai calibre.
And confess that I cannot see that il
argues any higher degree of affection fol
his wife on the part Of the American that
owing to his fixed ddeterminationto occupy
the same bed and room with her, he dig
and punches her with elbows aud knee
all night than that OF the Englishmai
who has separate rooms where they taxi
their reposc free from disturbance, 1t i
well, indeed, for young lady thinking
seriously Of marriage to observe the habit
and manners of the men around her be
fore taking such an important step; ant
as for the English husband, as saw him
happy indeed the girl who could hav
such one for her husband, such fathe
for her children. /. IRVING.