Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 291, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 December 1918 — SOME “OVER THERE” IMPRESSIONS OF DR. GWIN [ARTICLE]

SOME “OVER THERE” IMPRESSIONS OF DR. GWIN

Somewhere in France. , Dear Hamil ton:— ■ : In a manner very similar to at Americans, J have gone thru the period of suspicion and even disdain of the English bo the reaction stage of respect and understanding. One cannot appreciate the pure-blood lishman until the environments are considered along with the personality. George Ade, in 1906, visited London and thereafter wrote, “In Pastures New.” I can recall it now with considerable pleasure because* he more vividly depicts the English as one hears it on the streets, in the eating houses and tramways. In his make-believe talk with the true blue continental aristocrat he reveals to you the quiet, seemingly indifferent, take things as a matter of course, and without complaint, attitude better than a volume could. In short a bagger men than at first glance we are apt to think him. He says there is a sign in front of a case in Paris which says, “English understood.” Continental English is hard for us to understand both as to accent and vocabulary. To quote from the letter his fictitious traveler writes home will show the considerable difference dn vocabulary but not the accent. This traveler, put our English or rather Amercan equivalent along to show tfhe home folks what he means.

After the .traveler’s experience with an English Bobby, wherein he claimed he gave him a bit of spoof and a half guinea, he then watched Tommy Atkins with his “doner” (best giri’ promenade, the traveler remarked, clawssy, don’t you know.”- Then he resumed his letter home about hs meals as follows: “For breakfast I had a bowl of porrdge (oatmeal) and a couple of eggs, with a few crumpets (rolls). Accompanying this is always bread, butter and marmalade. Coffee with hot milk to finish. At npon time I ate a snack (light luncheon) in the establishment of a licensed bictualer (caterer) who is also a spirit merchant (liquor dealer).* I saw a great mpny darks (clerks) eating their meat pie and drinking bitter (ale) or else stout (porter). Some of them would eat only a few biscuits (crackers). Ail the street vehicles travel rapidly in London and you are Xfinvied (hurried) at every corner.”