The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-28
THE OMNISCIENT BRITON.
The Bookman.

The Bookman.
A superb example of British self-suf-
ficiency has lately been given to the world
by the editor of the London Athenaeum
That parsonage, in speaking of the Ameri-
can skyscrapers erected in our cities, cas-
ually remarked that in the United States
these buildings are generally known as
''fiatirons." Whereupon Mr.. Joseph b.
Glider wrote a courteous letter to the
Athenaeum, pointing out that the term
''fatiron" is not the name of tall buildings
In general but is applied TO one particular
building in New York because of its pc
culiar shape. AS Mr.. Glider is an Amer
lean and New Yorker, it might have
been assumed that he spoke with ade-
quate knowledge. But no, the British edi-
tor loftily waved the explanation aside,
and observed that while some of these
buildings might be of peculiar shape, this
fact was unimportant, and that all high
buildings constructed with a steel or iron
framework are invariably spoken of by
Americans of "hatirons" How did he
know this? Simply because he was a Brit
on and had therefore inherited cmniScence
as a racial birthright
Several years ago happened to be
dining at a continental table d hOte and
found ourselves seated next to an English
man who turned out to be a member of
Parliament and a very genial, unaffected
gentleman. Like many of his countrymen
when they are out of England, he put
aside his national reserve and chatted
pleasantly of many things. At last he
spoke of the visit of the Ancient and Hon
orable Artillery TO London, and happened
to mention the State from which they
came and which he pronounced "Massa-
kussitts." A moment later he commented
the odd names of some of our States;
and so we ventured to inform him of the
proper pronunciation of Massachusetts
We shall never forget the look OF bland
incredulity which fitted across his face.
"Oh. but you know said he, that ch is
grew a little hot under the collar, and
replied that this was precisely what we
didn't know! that we had lived in various
parts of the State of Massachusetts and
had never once heard any human being
call il Massachusetts" But we might
just as well have whistled up the CHM
ney. The Englishman smiled In a dep
recatory way as of one who did not wish
to engage controversy but his conyic-
ton that he was absolutely right was as
impregnabie as Gibraltar. Was he not
Briton and therefore always and unchange-
ably infallible? In like manner most of
his countrymen when they speak of the
Potomac. call IL Potomac with the accent
on the first syllable; and they explain
oblgingly that the word is from the Greek
noun potamos. 1t is not for us TO tell
them that ii is really of Indian origin
They know better, for they are Britons
There is a certain Importance in this trait
or theirs, for ii explains just why ii is
tnat Great IdlnnR be-
hind in the rivalry of nations. The same
self-complacency which makes them i'm
pervious TO special information about the
pronunciation of a foreign word makes
them equally impervious 10 the lessons
which other countries could teach them
in much greater things. They are abso-
lutely satisfied with what they have and
what they are; and the result is that the
United States and also Germany are out
stripping Britain in every sort of enter
prise and industry. The attitude of the
obi ar Ia her. for.
morgue. 1t holds in itself the explana-
ton OF the gradual decline of a great
world emnirs-