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absence with us of the military training that abroad goes so far toward
licking young men into shape。
I shall never forget the surprise on the face of a French statesman to
whom I once expressed my sympathy for his country； laboring under the
burden of so vast a standing army。 He answered：
〃The financial burden is doubtless great； but you have others。 Witness
your pension expenditures。 With us the money drawn from the people is
used in such a way as to be of inestimable value to them。 We take the
young hobbledehoy farm…hand or mechanic； ignorant； mannerless；
uncleanly as he may be； and turn him out at the end of three years with his
regiment； self…respecting and well… mannered； with habits of cleanliness
and obedience； having acquired a bearing； and a love of order that will
cling to and serve him all his life。 We do not go so far；〃 he added； 〃as our
English neighbors in drilling men into superb manikins of 'form' and
carriage。 Our authorities do not consider it necessary。 But we reclaim
youths from the slovenliness of their native village or workshop and make
them tidy and mannerly citizens。〃
These remarks came to mind the other day as I watched a group of
New England youths lounging on the steps of the village store； or sitting in
rows on a neighboring fence； until I longed to try if even a judicial
arrangement of tacks； 'business…end up；' on these favorite seats would
infuse any energy into their movements。 I came to the conclusion that my
French acquaintance was right； for the only trim…looking men to be seen；
were either veterans of our war or youths belonging to the local militia。
And nowhere does one see finer specimens of humanity than West Point
and Annapolis turn out。
If any one doubts what kind of men slouching youths develop into； let
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him look when he travels； at the dejected appearance of the farmhouses
throughout our land。 Surely our rural populations are not so much poorer
than those of other countries。 Yet when one compares the dreary homes of
even our well…to…do farmers with the smiling； well…kept hamlets seen in
England or on the Continent； such would seem to be the case。
If ours were an old and bankrupt nation； this air of discouragement and
decay could not be greater。 Outside of the big cities one looks in vain for
some sign of American dash and enterprise in the appearance of our men
and their homes。
During a journey of over four thousand miles； made last spring as the
guest of a gentleman who knows our country thoroughly； I was impressed
most painfully with this abject air。 Never in all those days did we see a
fruit…tree trained on some sunny southern wall； a smiling flower…garden or
carefully clipped hedge。 My host told me that hardly the necessary
vegetables are grown； the inhabitants of the West and South preferring
canned food。 It is less trouble！
If you wish to form an idea of the extent to which slouch prevails in
our country； try to start a 〃village improvement society；〃 and experience；
as others have done； the apathy and ill…will of the inhabitants when you go
about among them and strive to summon some of their local pride to your
aid。
In the town near which I pass my summers； a large stone； fallen from a
passing dray； lay for days in the middle of the principal street； until I paid
some boys to remove it。 No one cared； and the dull…eyed inhabitants would
doubtless be looking at it still but for my impatience。
One would imagine the villagers were all on the point of moving away
（and they generally are； if they can sell their land）； so little interest do they
show in your plans。 Like all people who have fallen into bad habits； they
have grown to love their slatternly ways and cling to them； resenting
furiously any attempt to shake them up to energy and reform。
The farmer has not； however； a monopoly。 Slouch seems ubiquitous。
Our railway and steam…boat systems have tried in vain to combat it； and
supplied their employees with a livery （I beg the free and independent
voter's pardon； a uniform！）； with but little effect。 The inherent tendency is
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Worldly Ways and Byways
too strong for the corporations。 The conductors still shuffle along in their
spotted garments； the cap on the back of the head； and their legs anywhere；
while they chew gum in defiance of the whole Board of Directors。
Go down to Washington； after a visit to the Houses of Parliament or
the Chamber of Deputies； and observe the contrast between the bearing of
our Senators and Representatives and the air of their CONFRERES abroad。
Our law…makers seem trying to avoid every appearance of 〃smartness。〃
Indeed； I am told； so great is the prejudice in the United States against a
well…turned…out man that a candidate would seriously compromise his
chances of election who appeared before his constituents in other than the
accustomed shabby frock…coat； unbuttoned and floating； a pot hat； no
gloves； as much doubtfully white shirt…front as possible； and a wisp of
black silk for a tie； and if he can exhibit also a chin…whisker； his chances
of election are materially increased。 Nothing offends an eye accustomed to
our native LAISSER ALLER so much as a well…brushed hat and shining
boots。 When abroad； it is easy to spot a compatriot as soon and as far as
you can see one； by his graceless gait； a cross between a lounge and a
shuffle。 In reading…； or dining…room； he is the only man whose spine does
not seem equal to its work； so he flops and straggles until； for the honor of
your land； you long to shake him and set him squarely on his legs。
No amount of reasoning can convince me that outward slovenliness is
not a sign of inward and moral supineness。 A neglected exterior generally
means a lax moral code。 The man who considers it too much trouble to sit
erect can hardly have given much time to his tub or his toilet。 Having
neglected his clothes； he will neglect his manners； and between morals and
manners we know the tie is intimate。
In the Orient a new reign is often inaugurated by the construction of a
mosque。 Vast expense is incurred to make it as splendid as possible。 But；
once