Herbert iSjjencer. 11 



should like to liave been at the next table ■when, perchance, 

 these two gentlemen might have sat down together and dis- 

 t-nssed 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. 1 would forgive the ncAvspaper reporter all his 

 sins, against me at any rate, if only he could have been there 

 and reported that conversation. ]\luch would have been 

 said that was true, dr ubtless ; much would have been kindly. 

 Mucli, 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, the}' 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 sym]itom 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 

 anniial 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; hut an /lua I h&th; what can he mean? He cannot 

 think I bathe but once a j'ear : 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 realh' 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 



