The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-02-27
AS OTHERS SEE US.
Glimpse of Ourselves Through
the Eyes of Others

Glimpse of Ourselves Through
the Eyes of Others.
If one approaches the subject in a
spirit of tolerance and good nature,
there is nothing more interesting
than to read or hear spoken the opin-
ions of ourselves as expressed by resi-
dents of other sections of the coun-
try who sojourn for time in our
midst. Such judgments are likewise
in way instructive. 1t is well to have
our shortcomings exposed sometimes,
yet one must be able to separate the
grain from the chaff. and to rise above
abnormal sensitiyeness. if the lesson is
to prove at all beneficial. writes Eliza
beth Robbins Berry, in Boston Budget.
Habit is largely responsible for ones
point of view. In visiting other cities
or states or countries we are inclined
to take exception to those customs
which differ from our own. and we do
not always stop to question whether
they may not be equally good, or even
superior, to those with which we are
familiar The fact that they are I'M
ike seems sufficient reason for indul-
gence in ridicule or scorn. according
to the temperament of the individual.
After a time, however. the traveller
learns to discriminate, to observe tru-
ly. and see wherein the methods of his
own section may be better or worse
than others. and what are the faults
or virtues of his home environment.
Travel is thus a great educator, and
no culture can be really complete
which does not include some KNOW
edge of other localities, obtained by
actual contact with places and inhabi'
tants. Having such one is able to listen
with absolute serenity to criticisms of
ones own place of abode. and even
to derive some benefit and goodly
share of amusement therefrOm.
At the present time ga chiefs amaug
us taking notes" A bright young
woman of the sunny south has been
for some months located in Cambridge,
and her impressions of Boston and its
people-including of course, the uni.
versity town across the river-as con-
tributed regularly to the columns of
| a prominent southern journal, have
made delightful reading for the Bos-
tonians privileged to see them.
She does not find us wholly to her
liking-it is not to be expected that
she would. The warm. impulsive south
ern temperament cannot become at
once en- rapport with the colder. more
cautious organization of the average
New Englander. Yet both may be
greatly benefited by contact, as the
writer in question will no doubt realize
if her stay in the north is sufficiently
prolonged.
1t is no doubt true, as she says, that
we take even our pleasures too serious
! ~. The tendency is an inherited one.
and we are not wholly to blame. But
! time has wrought great changes. and
will work yet others, in this respect.
1t is the rule. in these days, to travel
to go far from home, and seek COM
plete change of environment and inter-
| est for time, and the New England
man or woman soon learns by contact
with the great outside world to COM
bne the grace and charm of the south.
| the breezy frankness of the great west,
with the staid demeanor of the de-
| scendants of the Puritans. The future
| American will no doubt present COM
| bination of our present sectional char
acterstics which will result in a WELL
rounded whole.
For ourselves, we are being instruct
! ed, and at the same time vastly amused.
| We are led to realize some of our short
| comings; at the same time we con-
tinue to take pride in the sterling
| qualities which have made the Boston
and New England of to-day, and con-
tributed largely to the development of
| other sections.
There is no part of the United States
which does not owe something to the
| New England character. the intelli-
| gence, the thrift and the ambition
which is the birthright of the so-called
Yankee, and the sons and daughters of
| New England are likewise indebted to
| the south and west for many object
lessons in hospitality, warm-hearted-
ness and quick sponsiveness, which
render a sojourn in their midst Joy
| forever.
| Good-natured criticism can hurt no
one, and it is narrow nature which
is not benefited by an occasional
| glimpse of ourselves "as others see u.s."
In Out of the Rain.
The Father am SO glad John got