Rensselaer Standard, Volume 1, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 September 1879 — Acute Observations on America. [ARTICLE]

Acute Observations on America.

Sir George Campbell, who visited America two years ago, adds another to the ever increasing list of those who have written us up and down m a book. It is, however, well to see ourselves as others see us. Here area few of the reflections in Sir George’s mirror: Socially considered: If you want to have an idea of the general state of society which exists in America, I would put it to you in this way: If in this country (England) you were to kill off all the country gentlemen, with all their wives and families, and make the formers the owners of the land they till, you would have something which you could hardly distinguish from America. Americans marry earlier and trust to their wits to support a family more than we do.

The American girls are certainly more independent than our girls are. They think it a reproach if they cannot be trusted to go with a young man either to a church or theater. I won’t say whether that is better or worse than our system, but I do admire the independence of the American girls in helping themselves by useful employments. The country gentlemen element is altogether wanting, but the plutocrats, the money people, are quite as strong America as in. Engiaud—perhaps in stronger; that is, socially and in everything not regulated by the first principles of the American constitution — these they cannot get ove*. In all other matters the plutocrats, it seems tome, rule the country even more than they do here (in England). The rich people rulcf the press and the press rule the country. General Sherman: He does not affect the style miiitaire, but is more of a good, shrewd Yankee, like his brother. He says they have had enough of war. The only war they would like to undertake would be one against the Mexicans to make them take back New Mexico and Arizona.

General Butler: I saw him on the stump—a wildlooking man. Ferries: Their ferry boats are much superior to anything to be seen in Europe. Common politeness: Drivers of vehicles, ’busses, and tramways seem much more on their good behavior than in London. The elevated railway: It is, I think, infinitely cheaper and easier, and it is certainly very much higher and more airy than our underground railways. West Point: The cadets go through a very loLg and very scientific course of education, and are turned out accomplished officers to a for greater degree than can be the case under our military arrangements. New York at night: New York in the evening very dull. No books at the hotels. Streets indifferently lighted and nothing going on. None of the liveliness of a great European city in the evening. The American buggy: Exceedingly light and strong, judging by the work they endure. They last quite as well as our heavy vehicles, and 1 cannot imagine why we do not follow the example in getting such like traps. As to American rascality: We must not judge of the American people by what has taken place in the New York municipality; that is exceptional. T : Religion:

There is much inclination among American religious sects which do not differ in essentials to come together' on common ground. Different persuasions do not hate one another on account of religion, j New York hotels: My only complaint was that feeding was overdone; you were expected to eat too much, atid the waiters did not seem to have any mercy on you if you did not comply. There is a sort of dead level of uniformity about the hotels. There does not exist either the cosy, comfortable English hotel or the foreign case. I agree with Mr. Trollope in denouncing as the most horrible place*in the world the ladies’ room (of the American hotel,) which is always the stiffest, barest and most uncomfortably gorgeous place that It Is possible to conceive. Americans seem to eat the meat underdone to a degree which astonished one, American ladies will eat in the sweetest manner meat which I could not touch. Central Park: Central Park is ever so many miles long and very well kept. Called “Central because it is a long way off. A cross between Regent’s Park and the Bo is de Boulogne. Political meetings: I should say their speakers were more deiuonslratioe tiian with us. and the people less so. Political temper. I know no people in the world who aecept defeat in so thoroughly a good humnorod way as the Americans. American cities:

My complaint of the American cities is that they are to big—that is to say, too many people come to the towns who had better go to work in the country Too much land: What the Americans suffer from at present is too much land. Beef-raising: Nothing impressed me so much throughout my tour as the great extent of country north, south, east and west into which the formers go into cattle breeding for our markets with enthusiasm.