628 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



their sons in a way that is quite surprising to an Englishman," and 

 adds: 



A good many years ago, I spent a few evenings with some students of one 

 of the large American colleges. I was new to America then, and heard with 

 surprise these college youths discussing questions that arose out of the business 

 it which their fathers were engaged. If we compare this with what generally 

 happens when lads of our own public schools or young men at our own univer- 

 sities meet together — when any mention of the paternal shop would be looked on 

 as the worst of bad form — I think perhaps there will be seen one of the reasons 

 why Americans are fitted to control business at an earlier age than is usual in 

 this country. 



The American youth, as pointed out, obtains his business educa- 

 tion from practical experience and social intercourse, and this form 

 of education is held to be 'immeasurably above the mere learning 

 of lessons which too often goes by the name of education.' Another 

 reason for the adaptability of American youth to business is stated 

 to be the public-school system, which is 'more truly educational, less 

 pedagogic' In conclusion, the 'Times' correspondent says: 



To me, it appears one of the most disquieting factors in the problem before us 

 (industrial competition) that the United States have trained a body of young 

 men who are determined to make their country great, and who have been 

 educated to a living, practical interest in the things needful to that end. 



The 'Times,' commenting editorially on these views and upon others 

 expressed in a previous series of articles, says: "The threatened com- 

 petition [of United States manufacturers] in markets hitherto our 

 own comes from efficiency in production such as has never before been 

 seen," and accepts the view that this efficiency is to be ascribed, 

 to a large extent, to the practical self-education of Americans, which 

 enables them generally to enter business 'with a stock of knowledge 

 of which the young Englishman fresh from the university or a public 

 school has not an inkling.' Further on the 'Times' says: 



In the interesting analysis of the causes at work adverse to England, 

 something might be said of the great intelligence and zeal put into affairs. The 

 American man of business takes his pleasure in what he is doing, and never 

 fails when he is traveling to look out for hints to be applied when he returns 

 home. Not afraid to admit that he is 'in pork' or 'in grain,' if the fact be so, 

 he is curious as to all that affects his business, and he is open to new ideas 

 in a way which is unusual with us. 'What has succeeded in the past will not 

 succeed in the future' is a working maxim with the best men of business, who 

 are ready to throw their experience as well as their antiquated machinery on 

 the scrap heap. There are some signs of a change in this respect in this country; 

 but the idea that there is something respectable, solid and satisfactory in doing 

 in the mill, workshop and counting house what one's father did dies hard. 



The London 'Spectator' of December 29, 1900, quotes 'a competent 

 writer' in a British trade paper as saying: 



From a careful calculation, made after comparing notes with other observers, 



