FLORIDA AND THE WEST INDIES 15 



Republic for its visitors and home-coming citizens. 

 In no other protectionist port of my travels are the 

 Customs officials so reasonable with those who make 

 frank declaration. I understand that citizens, as 

 well as visitors, who " monkey " with the officers, 

 are treated with less generosity. Well, citizenship 

 of the United States is a privilege that doubtless 

 entails its obligations, and if monkeys will play 

 tricks they have only themselves to blame if others 

 pull their tails. I had been duly alarmed with the 

 prospect of exorbitant charges on my personal be- 

 longings, but my English rifle and fishing-tackle got 

 through unchallenged, and the only doubtful article 

 in my luggage was a small typewriter, which proved 

 on examination to have been made in Chicago! 

 With Free Trade it is said that America would 

 whip the world, but the resulting fall in wages 

 would ill suit the working-man, who is master of 

 the suffrage. How far his control of the political 

 destinies of his country works for its ultimate 

 benefit is a question that I am fortunately not called 

 upon to discuss here. 



New York harbour held out gracious welcome 

 that sunny April afternoon to eyes that had wearied 

 of unbroken sea and sky, unfolding undeniable 

 beauties as we passed slowly between its narrowing 

 shores, yet not seriously comparable with the 

 panorama of Sydney, Havana, or some other 

 harbour scenery that I could name. A charming 

 American lady went to the trouble of pointing out 

 for my benefit the skyscrapers and other landmarks 

 of her native city, nor did her animation sustain a 

 more than momentary check from an immense 

 legend that disclosed in Brobdingnagian letters 



