Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-05-17

Article About Our Sisters, Cousins aud
Aunts as They Appear to Europeans.
tCopUf9licd by the Hriag Syndjcotcl
'Tho American abroad" is subject
which presents itself under many aspects and
suggests mauy limos Of developments There
nre the social and economic sides: the arts
tic and the educational phases tho political
ana the diplomatic relations: the color i'm
parted to American life and the reflex inlu-
ence on European life: the humorous aspects
and the broad and serious impress: the oc-
casional vulgar displays and misdirected and
unworthy ambitions which bring the blush
to the true American, and the far moro
general exhibition of true American sense
and culture which is altogether crcdituble
1t is possible in this paper to touch only a
few of the reflections which are suggested
The Americans are the greatest travellers
in the world They food Europe and are
getting TO penetrate every corncr of the
globe. They travel farther, go ottener,
probe deeper see more. spend more aud get
moro than any other people. They have a
restless energy which is ali their own. They
have the practical turn which educates it
SELF by actual contact with men and things
Not less than So 600 Americans are living
in Europe for longer or shorter periods and
every year witnesses the flight of more than
100, 600 to those attractive fields They
leave annually in the countries which they
visit not less than 800 600 000-an amount
which in its potentinlity in the domestic life
81 ip CN- of bf lo
rich harvest is as good as 5000, 600, 0OO here
This expenditure by the 100 600 Americans
in Europe is almost one-twelfth as much as
the entire annual savings of the IS, 600 GOO
American people. 1t furnishes very nearly
or quite SO OF every 500 saved by the en-
tire population Of Europe, numbering over
800, 1000, 900. Is it any wonder, then, that
the American abroad is an object of very
decided interest and of very considerable
principal
THE AMERICAN URIQUGTOCS
The Americans are found everywhere in
Europe They are entirely at home on Pic
cadilly and in Westminster Abbey They
throng the Champs Elysees and Louvre.
They make the crowds of Iuzerne and In
terlaken seem much like those of Saratoga
and Narragansett They are equally in tho
schools of Berlin and the glass works of
Venice, under the shadow of the North Cape
and on the massive wall of the coliseum
There is no place where they are not wei
come and where they are not treated with
respect. Their patronage is largo factor
and its constantly increasing volume makes
it more and more cultivated. | happened
to be in Rome shortly after the New Or
leans lynChlng. That event was followed
by reports of violent outbreaks in Italy and
OF resentful and threatening and manifesto
tons towards Americans who CHANGED to be
there 1t is doubtless true that the national
feeling of a volatile and eXcitable people
was kindled to some extent by that bloody
and tempestuous tragedy. 1t would be
strange and unnatural if it were not so.
But found that the chief and most lasting
feeling was one of concern lest these reports
of an indignant and menaciug attitude should
deter the usual influx of Americans and
should thus make poor season. The Amer.
leans who We're there had no unpleasant ex-
periences, unless III very exceptional in
stances.
CREDITABLE REPRESENTATION.
The great body of the Americans who go
abroad are creditable and worthy rcpresen-
tatives of their country. 1t is true there
are exceptions and the exceptions cut an al
together disproportionate figure in the cur
rent idea. There is the sycophantic tuft
hunter and the despicable snob whose small
foreign limitations show that they have no
true American instincts: there is the par
venu who betrays himself in his eager os-
tcntatlon and his awkward freshness: the
occasional ambitious woman who shan4es the
American blood i'll hunting the glamour of
title, the Elijah pilgrims who let the
eagle scream at all times and places. These
arc the objects of contempt and caricature
but do not represent the body Of travelling
Americans any more than the English cock
ney represents the travelled Englishman. 1t
is the odd and exceptional which attracts
special notice. If cyncsm and rdicule find
expression they are based ON few ilustra-
tons The obtrusive, the ostentatous and
the pretentiou> draw particular attention
The grea tina iority pursue the even tenor of
their way and are recognized as intelligent
sensible and sef-poised. The mass Of Amer
leans abroad is made up of earnest, cour-
ageous students who illustrate the American
energy and determination to get ahead and
the cultivated, experienced and rational peo-
pie, who travel to widen their observation
and culture and who reflect the worthiest
and best American life
AMERICAN ADAPTABILITY.
The American bears himself well even in
strange cimes and unaccustomed scenes, be
cause he has aptitude and adaptability. He
has had varied experiences and understands
how to fit himself to surrounding conditions.
He is as a rule endowed with a saving sense,
and it guides him correctly through the
emergencies in which he may lie placed
The freedom and competition of American
life develop the faculties which are equal to
the occasion. They strengthen Judgment,
self-relance and confidence. 1t is this ready
aptitude which makes our American minis
ters for the most part successful, despite the
lack of diplomatic training. In som q
quarters it is urged that our country should
follow the practice of European nations and
establish distinct and permanent corps,
with special preparation and qualifications,
through which alone admission should be
made to the diplomatic and consular ser