Evolution : popular lectures before the Brooklyn Ethical Association.

Date:
1893
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Evolution : popular lectures before the Brooklyn Ethical Association. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    should like to have been at the next table when, perchance, these two gentlemen might have sat down together and dis- cussed America over a cut of roast mutton, a boiled potato, and a spoonful of peas for each, with a mug of stout and no napkin. I would forgive the newspaper reporter all his sins, against me at any rate, if only he could have been there •and reported that conversation. Much would have been .said that was true, doubtless; much would have been kindly. Much, also, would have been “ curious ”; nor do I imagine it would have been wanting in “ distinction.” At the very least it would have been “interesting.” I have noticed a remarkable characteristic of many Eng- lishmen,—the readiness with which, at little and unac- customed things, they fall into that state which is expressed by the word “aghast.” It is chiefly with respect to affairs, of personal life, in which they behold a difference of man- ners. Its first symptom is paralysis; then follows reason- ing, from their own stupefaction, subjectively. Because the effect on them is great they magnify the cause. I meet my friend the Englishman one fine day in summer, and say to him, cheerily, “Very warm to-day. A good day for your annual bath.” Straightway he is struck “ aghast ”; and thus he communes with himself: “Yes, quite so; but that is a very extraordinary expression; warm — yes; bath, yes, I know; but annual bath; what can he mean ? He cannot think I bathe but once a year: he has seen the bath-tub which I always carry with my luggage. He had a kindly and genial smile when he said it. I really am not prepared to believe he meant to insult me. But how curious! I have it! It must be that there are many Americans who bathe only once a year. But, if so, how can they keep clean? It is very, very extraordinary. The Americans are a remarkable people; but their manner of address seems to me to be rather infelicitous, don’t you know. And they have not yet learned how to live; if they had they would not postpone their bath so long. No, the Americans may have done measurably well in solving the political prob- lem, but it must be allowed on all hands that they have not solved the human problem.” Mr. Spencer, however, is very different from the English- man of the previous paragraph. He is far too thorough an observer to let his judgment of real conditions be deter- mined by minor and adventitious circumstances. He is by