The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-08-30
Honolulu. Aug. %, 1903.

Montague Vernon Ponsonby, Esq,
though highly entertaining even to
Americans themselves is amusing TO
greater extent from the characteristic
self complacency of our omniscieat
cousin
pies, times, customs and traditions
from the. to him. lofty heights of the
recognized British mental. social and
political supremacy, he propounds his
opinions. theories and criticisms for
all mankind in the spirit OF a Delohian
Oracle and in his self-sufficiency IS
only moved to compassion or contempt
for adverse argument.
1t has occurred to the writer that
1t might not be amiss to record some
OF the impressions an American re-
ceives Of a Britisher on his native soil.
The mental atmosphere of individual
life in England and America is so dis
similar that it is hardly possible OF
mutual understanding. The English
man is so thoroughly born and lives in
his particular class as to almost have
his vocation set aside for him and bis
, future predicted before his birth
With an American birth has little
to do comparatively with his ultimate
position in life. To the British middle
and lower classes a cringing SUBJ
servience TO the aristocracy is so bred
in the bone as to be absolutely ludi-
crous il not contemplate from an
American standpoint
An Englishman's dogs and horses
are much better and more considerable
ly treated than his dependents.
Whether they be business employees
or household servants. If not entitled
to the cognomen of gentleman" their
wages buy not only their time and SER
vice but apparently their bodies and
souls.
The writer has seen a long line wait
ing for their turn before the box Office
of a London theater jostled aside bv
from the crowd but with almost SEEM
ing apologies for being there at all.
1t Is to be hoped this member OF the
English aristocracv will for his own
sake never visit New York.
The old feudal system of life and
death. though abolished by law, is still
bred in the bone. An American being
asked whether he were an American
subject" replied at once: American
subject? / should say not! Subject
,ff
gen."
The difference of mental atmosphere
is apparent. To those of his own class
an Englishman is courteous. 1t is not
necessary for him to be gentlemanly
to his social Interiors. IL would lower
him in his own estimation: set the
beggars up, don't cher-know."
Yes. America in hurry" is charac-
teristic, Americans regret that it is
so much so. but no one can accuse rhe
Brftisher of rushing or of living in
this twentieth century. HIS forefathers
did not, you know.
But why on a night journey in cold
disagreeable weather should ii be nee
essary for one to huddle up in ones
corner of a railway carriage, half
buried in boxes and hand luggage with
a rug closely wrapped about ones legs
and a warming pan at ones feet when
there is a comfortable Pullman sleeper
in the rear of the train? The few extra
shillings is not the reason, though
the fact that the Pullman is "Ameri-
cam may in some cases have some
thing to do with it. The principal rea-
son is that because our Englishmans
forefathers have so done is GOOD
enough excuse for him. 1t is the fol-
lowing in the identical footsteps of
father. grandfather and greatgrand-
father of all hazards, and the shun-
ming of everything new and progress
sive. that has left England without
inventive genius and is sapping her
commercial supremacy. Poor old
mother England 1t is hard to see
your hayward offspring show such
disrespect as TO win at your own game.
If Uncle Sam. according to PonSonby,
Esq, is a raw, gawky youth who
ought not to wear whiskers," would ii
not be we'll to present these whiskers
to "Uncle John Bull and transform
him not to the first youth of gawkiness
and enthusiastic ambition but to the
second childhood of superannuated and
lettering old age? 1t is absurd to rep
resent them of the same age. Youth
is usually misunderstood by old age.
But above all things We Yankee in
Londontowne beware how thou tread
est If not enveloped in the all power
full "frockH coat and silk hat At no
time during the daylight hours. wheth-
er on pleasure or business bent, art
thou safe otherwise clad. 1t is imma-
terial whether the top hat first saw
the light during the reign of King
George or whether there is room to
stow away a family washing between
the neck-linen and the coat collar, and
should the trouser appear to have been
built for something escaped from the
ZOO let it not disturb thee. l. is
of small Importance. Thou wearest
a frock suit and top hat and in hoe
signo art thou entitled to the courte-
sizes only due a gentleman.
Otherwise logged thou mayest kick
thy parvenu Yankee heels against the
rungs of thy English cousins ante
room chairs for hours at a time with
no heed paid to thee, for how should
the Office boy Of the British recognize
thee as a gentleman or comprehend
that thou deservest courteous treat