THE GOSPEL OF RECREATION. 355 



disordered nervous system. Regarding you as representing Ameri- 

 cans at larffe, I feel that the occasion is one on which arrears of thanks 

 are due. I ought to begin with the time, some two-and-twenty years 

 ago, when my highly-valued friend Professor Youmans, making efforts 

 to diffuse my books here, interested on their behalf the Messrs. Apple- 

 ton, who have ever treated me so honorably and so handsomely ; and 

 I ought to detail from that time onward the various marks and acts of 

 sympathy by which I have been encouraged in a struggle which was 

 for many years disheartening. But, intimating thus briefly my gen- 

 eral indebtedness to my numerous friends, most of them unknown, on 

 this side of the Atlantic, I must name more especially the many atten- 

 tions and proffered hospitalities met with during my late tour, as well 

 as, lastly and chiefly, this marked expression of the sympathies and 

 good wishes which many of you have traveled so far to give, at 

 great cost of that time which is so precious to the American. I be- 

 lieve I may truly say that the better health which you have so cor- 

 dially wished me will be in a measure furthered by the wish ; since 

 all pleasurable emotion is conducive to health, and, as you will fully 

 believe, the remembrance of this event will ever continue to be a 

 source of pleasurable emotion, exceeded by few, if any, of my remem- 

 brances. 



And now that I have thanked you, sincerely though too briefly, I 

 am going to find fault with you. Already, in some remarks drawn 

 from me respecting American affairs and American character, I have 

 passed criticisms which have been accepted far more good-naturedly 

 than I could reasonably have expected ; and it seems strange that I 

 should now again propose to transgress. However, the fault I have to 

 comment upon is one which most will scarcely regard as a fault. It 

 seems to me that in one respect Americans have diverged too widely 

 from savages. I do not mean to say that they are in general unduly 

 civilized. Throughout large parts of the population, even in long- 

 settled regions, there is no excess of those virtues needed for the main- 

 tenance of social harmony. Especially out in the West, men's deal- 

 ings do not yet betray too much of the " sweetness and light " which 

 we are told distinguish the cultured man from the barbarian. Never- 

 theless, there is a sense in which my assertion is true. You know that 

 the primitive man lacks power of application. Spurred by hunger, by 

 danger, by revenge, he can exert himself energetically for a time ; but 

 his energy is spasmodic. Monotonous daily toil is impossible to him. 

 It is otherwise with the more developed man. The stern discipline of 

 social life has gradually increased the aptitude for persistent industry ; 

 until, among us, and still more among you, work has become with 

 many a passion. This contrast of nature has another aspect. The 

 savage thinks only of present satisfactions, and leaves future satisfac- 

 tions uncared for. Contrariwise, the American, eagerly pursuing a 

 future good, almost ignores what good the passing day offers him ; 



