Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-24

iuuSn dSSioldASC lioAt WiiS, wiz WsS
Elizabeth Marion Ashton OF Manchester,
descendant, 1t is said, of the Ashtons,
whose representatives several generations
ago came to Virginia and intermarried with
the Washingtons.
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Bryce are notably
modest In dress and personal adornments.
Their tastes are simple and their habits
abstemious. One who knows them well
predicts that, under their leadership social
functions at the British embassy viii be
more unaffectedly cordial, more democratic
participants will be delighted with them"
Even those who are not posted so mi
nutely can find abundant reasons for
prophecy of this kind. In 1887 Mr.. Bryce
wrote under the caption Of THE Pleasant
ness of American Life" thus:
81 have never met European OF the
upper or middle classes who was not aston
ished when told that America Is more
agreeable place than Europe to live In.
Nevertheless 1t Is true that there are eie-
ments In the life of the United States which
may well make a European of any class
prefer to dwell there rather than in the
ut is Impossible not to feel warmed,
cheered, fnvigorated by the sense OF mate
rial well-beng all around; impossible not to
be infected by the buoyancy and hopeful
ness of the people The wretchedness of
Europe lies far behind; the weight OF lts
problems seems to be lifted from the mind
1.-The second charm of American life is
one which Europeans will smile at 1t is
social equality. To many Europeans-to
English and Germans, let us say-the term
has an odious sound. 1t suggests obtrusive-
ness and bad manners. The exact contrary
is the truth. Equality improves manners,
for it strengthens the basis of all good
manners-respect among men and women
for each other simply as men and women,
irrespective of station.
People meet on a simple and natural
footing with more frankness and ease than
is possible in countries where every one
either is looking down or looking up.
This naturalneSs of intercourse is a dis
tinct addition to the pleasures of social life.
1t enlarges the circle of possible friendship.
It raises the humber classes without lower
ing the upper. Indeed, 1t improves the
upper by eXpunging the insolence which
defornns the manners of SO many of the
European rich. 1t extends the range OF
mans sympathies; it gives sense of soli-
darity to the whole nation cutting away
the ground for all sorts of jealousies and
grudges. And 1 never have heard native
American speak of any drawbacks CORE
spending to or qualifying these benefits
Il come last to the character and ways
of the Americans themselves in which there
is charm hard to convey, but felt almost
as soon as one sets foot their shore,
and felt constantly thereafter. They are
a kindly people. Good nature, heartiness
and readiness to render small services to
one another seem to be everywhere in the
air in those who breathe it. Sociablity is
the rule; moroseness and isolation the rare
exceptions.
ITO help others is better recognized as a
duty than in Europe. Nowhere is money
so readily given for q public purpose; no
where so many acts of private kindness,
such; for instance. as paying the college
expenses of promising boy or aiding a
widow to carry on her husbands farm;
and nothing done with ostentation.
A Democratic Minister
These eynresSionS and COMMA risonS NOT
more strong than many others used by Mr.
Bryce concerning the American people, did
not at first set well on the British stomach.
Many critics thought that, even if true, it
would have seemed more patriotic to have
left them unsad. And now their author
has been appointed by the ministry of the
nation which was offended to be ambassa
dor to the people in behalf of whom he
wrote such praise.
1t is believed that this is an experience
vouchsafed to no other diplomat in his
tory, and the prediction is freely made that
the people of the United States will be
sure to appreciate the new ambassador-the
great democrat from the soil of Lanark-
shire-as inteiligently and thoroughly as he
has appreciated them.
The experience of the United States is
equally unique, for the appointment of Mr..
Bryce, holding the views that he does, is
analysed II. certain diplomatic circles as
equivalent to selecting an actual resident
and citizen Of the United States to be the
ambassador of Great Britain to the United
States.
However, those who have taken the true
measure of Mr.. Bryce regard this as shall
low and Grant judgment-unless Great
Britain wants something that she ought
not to have. His creed, his comprehension
and his nature are such that he would not
improperly favor a friend and could not
handed justice and nothing else, and SO
country as the other-equally safe and hon.
orable for both.
The zeal view of the elmer circle is that
ing. adjust nothing; but that he is coming
for the main if not the express purpose
of bringing the people of the United States,
Great Britain and Ireland and Canada so
common grounds that never hereafter will
result In an appeal to arms.
This proposed amalgamation of The Eng
disappearing peoples in everything save
legal form could not it is believed, have
been committed to better hands. for no
man in the world possesses keener or
ampler understanding of the Anglo-Saxon
mass, so called. and no one equals Mr..
Bryce in the number of personal acquaint-
ances great and humble, in Great Britain
and Ireland, Canada and the United States