The New York herald., 1922-01-24
TUESDAY. JANUARY "a, 1922.
James Bryce.

day, did more than any other man
to make the United States plain to
the rest of the world. TocoUEvIILE
eaEiier had described the workings
of the American democracy; but
there was great stretch of progress
between his time and the time of
JAMES BRYCE. The young republic
had gone far between the '30s, when
the Frenchman saw us, and the '70s
and SOS, when the British scholar
began his American inspection.
What is even more important in
the way OF real benefit to this coun-
try, BRycEs picture OF American gov
ernment and society, drawn in the
pages Of "The American Common
wealth." held up to the people of the
United States their principal virtues
and defects. There is always more
curiosity about visitors impress
sions Of a country than about a ma
tive's. So BRYCE was read eagerly
here, just as Americans had de-
voured DIcKENs's American Notes"
The novelist enraged his readers by
caricaturing them. The statesman
made a conscientious report-and
JAMES BRYCE was the best reporter,
on a large scale, in the world.
In "The American Commonwealth"
and in Modern Democracies," which
came thirty years after the first great
work, BRYCE did America the great
est favor a historian can do. He
was just. Without fattery or ridi-
cule he set forth the results of the
first great experiment in modern
democracy. He showed us a large
number of faults in our system, nor
did he try to excuse them; but he ad-
mitted that the American people had
"an aptitude for politics, a clearness
OF vision and capacity for self-con-
troll never equalled by any other ma
tion." His greatest fear for US in his
first book was that American self-re-
lance might keep US from improving
our political machinery; but in Mod
ern Democracies," published last year,
he rejoiced over "many signs that
the sense Of public duty has grown
stronger and that the standards of
public life are rising"
His books on the United States and
other republics win be the most last
ing monument OF JAMES BRYCE, al.
though they were only a part of the
lifework OF this most intelligent and
Industrious scholar. He was himself
great democrat: his whole political
life reflects the fact. That is why he
could understand a democracy and
patiently examine every detail OF its
government and its people.
The study OF the United States
made by JAMES BEYcE resulted most
fortunately for the relations between
this country and his. The American
people, being so we'll known by the
essayist, came to feel that they knew
him as intimately. Naturally, when
Great Britain sent BRYCE as Ambas-
sador to Washington in the Roose-
yelt Administration it was like the
return of an old and dear friend. OF
course Mr.. BRYCE was successful at
this post. His intellect, his tact, his
fine presence and, above all, his
knowledge OF and sympathy with
America made him the ideal envoy
In American eyes he was higher than |
any title could raise him. Long af.
ter he had been elevated to the peer
age this country still thought of him
affectionately as JAMES BRYCE, its
discerning critic. wise counselor and |
enduring friend.
England has lost great states
man and scholar. but Americas loss
IS, In way, more intimate. For in |
the years to come, when JAMES BRYCE
is remembered for only ono of his
many accomplishments, that one will |
be his review Of this republic and
its people.