New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-13
CIR or DISTRESS FROM HOWBURG

A CRI Of DID1hLCo EhN-h
An Englshman. who has been greatly an
moved by Americans at Hombmg TINS sum
mcr has asked for the sympathy OF the BRUSH
m,blic through "The London Times" Ills
letter to that Journal which the cable has oohg-
inpiy summarized for our benefit is extremely
sorrowful. His woes have shaken his BODY ana
SINK into his soul, and he viii return 70 inc
embraces of his peers worn and displrlted man.
Tn, best English society at lIomburg ana else
whore "has been thinner than usual this year."
and il is reasonable to infer that those who nave
assumed the responsibility of sustaining inc
honor of England have grown thinner every
day. Unless they recuperate rapidly durlng Ine
autumn and winter they will be in poor cOndl-
ton for the next fashionable season at home
They have been pursued by Americans " lnto
ov.rv nleasant retreat" swamped in the com
mon variety of tourists and lower classes OF
Americans" This social misery is melancholy
enough, but something more and worse IS IN
yolyed. Comm rcial misfortunes are threatened
and international comfy, alas, is trembling IN
tbe balance at is useleSs,' so writes this
abused and wretched man, cit is useless to have
Chicago exhibitions, unless the American peo-
ple can, by education or medical science, uprooo
the natural voice, which is at present bhght
on all social relations, and makes all American
diplomacy at foreign courts impossible"
at is dwedful," a long-sulfering English
man once remarked, ito have to meet a lot OF
people whom nobody knows don't you know
but it is a gwcat deal moro dwedful to have TO
meet a lot Of people whom nobody wants to
know. don't you know" And so it IS lie was
perfectly right. But the problem IS not nope
less. after all. Some persons possess natural
instinct which teaches them whom to avoid, and
have acquired the valuable art Of choosing their
own society without displaying rudeness or in
hcting pain. There are not few right nero
in New-York upon whom no ill-bred English
traveller with deceitful credentials has ever sue
ceeded in imposing There are some Clubs IN
deed, which have never had occasion to regret
their hospitality to English visitors. They nave
exercised discrimination, and in consequence
have no foreign blacklist, and no dishonored
drafts among their archives. This faculty OF
perception is well worth cultivatng. 1t means
self-espect and repose of mind, and promotes
longevity.
I The Homburg correspondents letter suggests
another thought Social concentrations are not
always safe. and they should not be INDUCED IN
except by those who have strong sense of re-
sponsibity. Disinterested Americans who have
observed life closely, and who are accustomed
to reflect before they speak, never make the
mistake of basing broad conclusion on mar
row premise. They were not lured into false
Judgment of the best English people, for in
stance by the English nobleman who, having
been asked to dine with New-York acquain-
lance, lounged in upon the appointed evening
in-a velveteen shooting jacket Nor have they
been led to msapprehend the customs and feel
ings of their kin beyond the sea by the shabby
genteel comedy at Tranby Croft.