The National tribune., 1892-09-15

full, and the people fine examples of tho Anglo.
Saxon race. This is the land of literature, too.
Many bards have claimed those Counties as
their homes, and have halowed many spots
The mill districts of Lancashire and York
shire are filled with rougher and crudcr people.
The factory hands are uneducated, rough and
love carousing. Then, everywhere clouds of
black smoke are pouring into the atmosphere.
which makes it decidedly unpleasant. The
northern sections are mountainous and rich in
minerals. The same is true of the extreme
southwest. The southern and eastern sections
are almost purely agricultural.
| have no doubt that the Shire distinctions
are much less than say, century ago. Since
the introdu uction of railroads communication
has become so rapid and cheap that there is
much more intermingling of the lower classes
also. education Is more general and the news
papers help to generalize custom and speech.
So, slowly but surely, all differences wear
away.
1t seems almost a mystery how they first
grew up. The country is not large; in fact
England is country of short distances-a State
the size of Pennsylvania. 1t is q ride of only
seven or eight hours from London to the most
remote parts Of the country, while from Lon
don to Liverpool is journey of only about
three and n half hours. You can cross the
island from Liverpool TO the North Sea in just
little longer. Eight hours will take the
traveicr from the south coast 10 ths border OF
Scotland
Yet thirty and moro millions find their homes
here. The country districts are not thcky
settled. The bulk is situated in the districts
surrounding few great commercial centers
London claims almost fifth Of the whole
Manchester and surrounding cotton district
of Lancashire and part Of Yorkshire almost as
many more, Birmingham and district a million
or two more The others are more scattered
IN towns, large or small, over the whole eoun-
try.
The imports, principally of foodstuffs. to sup
port this enormous population is immense.
America reaps the great benefit Everywhere
American meats, flour, cheese and canned goods
Of all kinds are sold in large quantities. They
are invariably cheaper than any other.
England's wealth has been in minerals. Her
supplies OF coal, iron, and tin have enabled her
to reach such state of wealth as we see to-
day. She is counted the wealthiest nation on
the face of the globe Statistics prove that
there is more money per capita than in any
other nation. Unfortunately, it is very un-
evenly distributed. The laboring man has
share small enough indeed. The rich are rich,
and the poor, poor. The English nobleman
lives like king. To enable him to do so, how
ever, the poor laboring men must sweat, and
has done SO for generations.
How many of the people live is a mys.
terry | have not been able to discover Food
stufs are much higher than in the States,
and wages, especially for agricultural laborers,
it seems to me, wretchedly low. Rent is some
what cheaper. The people must, and do, live
palmer, and deny themselves many things
which the American laborer affords for his
table and his home.
The people are usually polite and kind, yet
possibly somewhat stiff. There is not that
open hearted hospitality such as exists in so
many of the States-a hospitality which vel.
comes the stranger without inquiring about his
| antecedents. 1t seems quite natural, though,
that age begets dignity. The older country
becomes the more formality is introduced in
social life.
Whether England will always be able to
hold her present high position is matter of
probably rash speculation. Population is shift.
ing Newer countries continually hecom-
ing of greater Importance. Whatever may oc-
cur it will always be great country and a
great nation, and Il country OF prime interest
and Importance to Americans
N q WTN,rrp