Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-03-10
"The Universal Traveller" Published
in 1886 and Showing World
Conditions of that Day.

| Seventy-eight years might be expect
| ed TO make great changes in any couh-
| try and it's people, hence it is interest
! ing to note some of the sayings in Inc
| Universal Traveller" a book written
| bv one Chas. A. Goodrich and publlsh-
ed in 1896 in Hartford, CT. by Canf1ela
| Il Robins The title page announces
| that the book is Designed to introduce
| readers at home to an ACQUAINTANCE
| with the arts, customs and manners
| of the principal nations OF the glope'
| embracing a view of their persons,
| character, employment, amusements,
religion. dress, habitations, modes OF
| warfare, foods, arts. agriculture, man
ufactures, government superstltlons,
literature, etc, ETC." derived from the
researches of recent travellers of ack-
| now lodged enterprise, intelligence ana
fidelity; and embodying great
amount of entertaining and instructive
information
It deals with all the then known
countries of the world, beginning with
the United States and closing with
Africa 1t is profusely illustrated with
wood cuts, which now look somewhat
grotesque.
The first co pages are devoted to the
United States. 1t would surprise
Brother Goodrich to compare the con-
ditions of today with what he wrote.
He describes the general appearance
of the people of the various sections
no doubt accurately at that time. He
allows that speaking of their charact-
er. 1T can scarcely be allowed, even
up to this time, that we have through
out a national character
"A spirit of enterprise may be said
to be common to our people ana Is q
characteristic worthy of notice.
I'VE Justly also attribute to the peo-
pie large share Of personal lndepen-
dence and resolution"
THE people of the United states
are distinguished for their enlightened
and cordial attachment to liberty. both
civil and religious"
"They have, moreover, the charac-
terist:c distinction Of being an intelii-
gent and educated people"
1.-The American people are distin-
guished by a refined practical human
ity."
Concerning New England he says;
The character of the inhabitants of
Their intelligence is marked In
respect to the character of the women
of New England it has been remarked
that "their minds, often possessing a
fine share of intelligence, are remark
ably distinguished by amiable dlspo-
sitions."
He finds nothing peculiar in the
character of the people of the Middle
states, because New England has sup
piled most of the inhabitants. He
found no uniformity of architecture,
but the buildings as rule ARE re-
speetable." The Capitol at Washing
ton was, of course. the most import
ant building, but the wood cut snow
ing the great structure without the
huge dome that now towers into the
air is an odd looking affair.
'"The abundance and variety OF ar
ticles of diet in the United States are
matters of common remark
That he was temperance man is
eyienced by: "Whiskey is the most
common of the distilled spirits in use
in the Western and Southern states
and indeed in the Middle. New Eng
land rum, poison distilled from mo-
Ia sses is or rather has been the bane
of the Eastern states After describ-
ing other liquors, wines, beers and
such beverages, he says:
I'm a country where liquors are
cheap, and every facility is enjoyed
almost by every class to command any
quantity of intoxicating drink. there
would naturally be intemperanee. The
habits of the people were acc6rdingly
becoming extremely vitiated, in re-
spect to the use of inebriating liquors,
not many years ago The danger TO
our institutions, our liberties, our NOR
ais, our health, and our happiness as
a people became so imminent. that the
piety and patriotism OF the nation
were excited, and measures were
adopted by degrees to check, II not
exterminate, the evil. The disuse OF
all ardent spirit as drink on the pert
of individuals, and the pledge TO ap-
stain through public associations Tor
this purpose, began the work OF
amendment, and it has gone on ever
since. in a continually increasing ra-
ito. and including in many instances
the abjuration of all inebriatlng
drinks"
Travelling was then more OF hard
shin than now. The author says,
"the communication by steamboats,,
though not perfectly safe. is the most
expeditions and pleasant. 1t Is gener-
ally. also, the cheapest mode OF traV-
cling" The mode of conveyance III
steam cars. on railroads, is fast COM
ing into use in this country. 1t Is an
expeditions and agreeable mooe Oh
travelling, and in general, safe.
Hotel conditions present one charac-
teristic which has been handed down
to today, as well be seen by: Many
inns in the United States are excellent
in some respects. but there are many
also that are Indifferent and numbers
| that are worse than Indifferent
The following about the language OF
that day would hardly fit the condi-
| tions of today 1.-THE language spoken