The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1903-01-16
ENGLISH NOTES.
NO. w.

and general disorder we noticed at Dumfries in
Scotland. am inclined to think that this state
ment led many to believe that my impression of
the Scottish people was far from being what is
generally attributed as the true character of that
hardy race. There was no attempt at all, in fact,
co delineate character. / merely mentioned the
fact to bring out point in the career of Burns.
But will say that we found the Scotch as people
brave loyal, industrious, temperate, God-iearing,
kind, and thoroughly hospitable. Mindful'of the
splendid part they played in the political and
religious history of the worlds advance, we
learned to like and admire them from the time
we crossed their Gretna Green until the afternoon
we lett their grand and beautiful city of
Edinburgh.
Of course every one sees a country and its peo-
pie in different light, and l might add in a
different manner. A great many Americans land
at Liverpool make a hurried trip across England
to the great metropolis of London, spend a few
days there then start for the Continent and there
remain, content that they thoroughly know and
understand the English people.
witty Frenchman L think it was Voltaire-
once said the English people were very much like
barrel of their own beer-froth at the top, dregs
at the bottom, but thoroughly sound and whole
some in the middle In fact it is this great middle
class that controls the destines of all nations and
nowhere more than in England. 1t is this class
that you must know and understand to properly
appreciate the people as they are. Our own Mr.
Emerson paid this class visit once and wrote
about it when he came home. And he wrote
about them in that quietly philosophical, humor
GUS way that has delighted so many people. He
wrote about them as he saw them, he poked fun
at their peculiarities and idiosyncrasies, but he
said nothing that hurt, and he told the truth
about them. So english Traits" has become
book almost as widely read in England as it is in
America. Mr. Emerson, philosopher as he was
with profound knowledge of all books and
keen understanding OF all people, said less unkind
things about the English people than one hears
daily from many whose sole knowledge is gained
from yellow journal and whose sole experience
extends no farther than ten.mie cruise in
cat-boat off the Atlantic coast.
Much has been said, much has been written
about the Britisher's appreciation of joke. fit
were not for the prevalent idea that the average
Englishman fails to see the "humor of it,
sometimes think some of our comic journals would
have to suspend publication, and many of our
stage comedies would have to be removed from
the boards The Engishman is really quite
thick chap along this line. l told crowd of
English fellows over in Cambridge wild Amer
lean story"-a story about as impossible as the
average American can tell them, Of course
thought they would understand that it was all a
joke-any crowd of Americans would. When
had finished saw the thing had fallen fiat; but
to cap the climax one man drawled out that lit
wouldn't be half bad if it were really true"
Now, it is mistake to suppose that these people
have no sense Of humor. But it is far from our
idea of humor. They say the same of US. "Amer-
lean joke" American humor," are terms YOU
often hear to describe something entirely foreign
to their ideas of what to them is really humorous
The French humor is vulgar-indeicate perhaps
is better the American idea of wit is lust Amer.
lean humor, and that is about all you can call
it, but that English idea of the ridiculous is some
thing entirely unique. 1t is there; but to find it
you sometimes have to dig very Deep"
y
do not think the English people are so enthu-
siastic as we are. No doubt this may account to
great extent for the usual and general orderly
conduct upon all occasions perhaps this NAV
explain to some degree the general behavior OF an
English crowd at any great event. 1 saw quite
number of spectacles in London during the latter
part of June and the first of July at which the
American people would have become greatly
enthusiastic When Kitchener came home from
South Africa, came from the scene of his tri-
umphs with splendid record of administrative
ability at his back, the people of London did give
vent to their feeling in one wildly enthusiastic
welcome. But do not believe it was anything
like the ovation given President Mckinley when
he rode along Broad street in Philadelphia on the
morning of the opening of the Peace Jubilee.
Along this line and quite in contrast with Eng
lish character, was the observance of the Fourth
July at certain place in London. crowd of
the younger element of American visitorsin Lon
don, many of whom had become acquainted, had
made 1t a custom to assemble quite frequently at
place on Oxford street that is commonly known
as the "Oxford Lounge" We do not have many
places of this type in the States 1t is decidedly
attractive place. fine orchestra which, hidden
in veritable garden of palms. dspenses good
music, draws towards Monsieur Frascatis the
musical element; an american BAR" at which
you may procure, if you are rich enough to pay
for 1t, anything from "gin sling to an ice cream
soda. has an attraction for the convival crowd of
American visitors; while great many Americans
are drawn towards this genial place by the fact
that they are always sure to find some of their
| fellow-cOuntrymen here
Some of those who had happened to drop into
the Lounge on the morning of the Fourth had
been informed by the genial host that he had
arranged very fine list of American music for
that evening-American operettas, ragtimes and
national airs-and that he hoped everybody
would come around and celebrate in true Amer
lean fashion. Programs were gotten out, every
body was notified, and the evening saw the place
tlled with Americans. am sure we noticed more
genuine, hearty enthusiasm during that evening
OF July than during all the time we were
In England. When the orchestra became
tired, the crowd took up the work, and
numerous were the coon songs and rag time
melodies. 1t was good to be there. Enthusiasm
good Old United States epthusasm-ran rife !;
ana the climax was reached when good
Old Glory was flung to the breeze and the or
chestra broke forth with the "Stars and Stripes
Forever" All this sort of thing gave you feeling
somewhat akin to what think that sailor chap
had away back in our early history, when he
raised his glass and proposed a toast to nMy
Country-may she always be right; but right or
wrong-still Ny Country" 1t makes you feel about
1t as did an American chap saw down in Munich
one night. At one of the music halls thele they
ended one of the little vaudeville sketches by
running up an American flag while the orchestra
played the Star Spangled Banner. This was
little too much for our American youth whose
enthusiasm was we'll whetted by an overindulg.
ence In Rhine wine, he gave to his feelings
IN one prolonged, good old fashioned American
yell, Being sharply reprimanded by one of the
q ha liod do