english writers on america-第1章
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THE SKETCH BOOK
ENGLISH WRITERS ON AMERICA
by Washington Irving
〃Methinks I see in my mind a noble and puissant nation； rousing
herself like a strong man after sleep； and shaking her invincible
locks： methinks I see her as an eagle； mewing her mighty youth； and
kindling her endazzled eyes at the full mid…day beam。〃
MILTON ON THE LIBERTY OF THE PRESS。
IT IS with feelings of deep regret that I observe the literary
animosity daily growing up between England and America。 Great
curiosity has been awakened of late with respect to the United States；
and the London press has teemed with volumes of travels through the
Republic； but they seem intended to diffuse error rather than
knowledge； and so successful have they been； that； notwithstanding the
constant intercourse between the nations； there is no people
concerning whom the great mass of the British public have less pure
information； or entertain more numerous prejudices。
English travellers are the best and the worst in the world。 Where no
motives of pride or interest intervene； none can equal them for
profound and philosophical views of society； or faithful and graphical
descriptions of external objects； but when either the interest or
reputation of their own country comes in collision with that of
another； they go to the opposite extreme； and forget their usual
probity and candor； in the indulgence of splenetic remark； and an
illiberal spirit of ridicule。
Hence； their travels are more honest and accurate； the more remote
the country described。 I would place implicit confidence in an
Englishman's descriptions of the regions beyond the cataracts of the
Nile； of unknown islands in the Yellow Sea； of the interior of
India； or of any other tract which other travellers might be apt to
picture out with the illusions of their fancies； but I would
cautiously receive his account of his immediate neighbors； and of
those nations with which he is in habits of most frequent intercourse。
However I might be disposed to trust his probity； I dare not trust his
prejudices。
It has also been the peculiar lot of our country to be visited by
the worst kind of English travellers。 While men of philosophical
spirit and cultivated minds have been sent from England to ransack the
poles； to penetrate the deserts； and to study the manners and
customs of barbarous nations； with which she can have no permanent
intercourse of profit or pleasure； it has been left to the broken…down
tradesman； the scheming adventurer； the wandering mechanic； the
Manchester and Birmingham agent； to be her oracles respecting America。
From such sources she is content to receive her information respecting
a country in a singular state of moral and physical development； a
country in which one of the greatest political experiments in the
history of the world is now performing； and which presents the most
profound and momentous studies to the statesman and the philosopher。
That such men should give prejudicial accounts of America is not a
matter of surprise。 The themes it offers for contemplation are too
vast and elevated for their capacities。 The national character is
yet in a state of fermentation； it may have its frothiness and
sediment； but its ingredients are sound and wholesome； it has
already given proofs of powerful and generous qualities； and the whole
promises to settle down into something substantially excellent。 But
the causes which are operating to strengthen and ennoble it； and its
daily indications of admirable properties； are all lost upon these
purblind observers； who are only affected by the little asperities
incident to its present situation。 They are capable of judging only of
the surface of things； of those matters which come in contact with
their private interests and personal gratifications。 They miss some of
the snug conveniences and petty comforts which belong to an old；
highly…finished； and over…populous state of society； where the ranks
of useful labor are crowded； and many earn a painful and servile
subsistence by studying the very caprices of appetite and
self…indulgence。 These minor comforts； however； are all…important in
the estimation of narrow minds； which either do not perceive； or
will not acknowledge； that they are more than counterbalanced among us
by great and generally diffused blessings。
They may； perhaps； have been disappointed in some unreasonable
expectation of sudden gain。 They may have pictured America to
themselves an El Dorado； where gold and silver abounded； and the
natives were lacking in sagacity； and where they were to become
strangely and suddenly rich； in some unforeseen； but easy manner。
The same weakness of mind that indulges absurd expectations produces
petulance in disappointment。 Such persons become embittered against
the country on finding that there； as everywhere else； a man must
sow before he can reap； must win wealth by industry and talent； and
must contend with the common difficulties of nature； and the
shrewdness of an intelligent and enterprising people。
Perhaps； through mistaken； or ill…directed hospitality； or from
the prompt disposition to cheer and countenance the stranger；
prevalent among my countrymen； they may have been treated with
unwonted respect in America； and having been accustomed all their
lives to consider themselves below the surface of good society； and
brought up in a servile feeling of inferiority； they become arrogant
on the common boon of civility： they attribute to the lowliness of
others their own elevation； and underrate a society where there are no
artificial distinctions； and where； by any chance； such individuals as
themselves can rise to consequence。
One would suppose； however； that information coming from such
sources； on a subject where the truth is so desirable； would be
received with caution by the censors of the press； that the motives of
these men； their veracity； their opportunities of inquiry and
observation； and their capacities for judging correctly； would be
rigorously scrutinized before their evidence was admitted； in such
sweeping extent； against a kindred nation。 The very reverse；
however； is the case； and it furnishes a striking instance of human
inconsistency。 Nothing can surpass the vigilance with which English
critics will examine the credibility of the traveller who publishes an
account of some distant； and comparatively unimportant country。 How
warily will they compare the measurements of a pyramid； or the
descriptions of a ruin； and how sternly will they censure any
inaccuracy in these contributions of merely curious knowledge： while
they will receive； with eagerness and unhesitating faith； the gross
misrepresentations of coarse and obscure writers； concerning a country
with which their own is placed in the most important and delicate
relations。 Nay； they will even make these apocryphal volumes
text…books； on which to enlarge with a zeal and an ability worthy of a
more generous cause。
I shall not； however； dwell on this irksome and hackneyed topic； nor
should I have adverted to it； but for the undue interest apparently
taken in it by my countrymen； and certain injurious effects which I
apprehended it might produce upon the national feeling。 We attach
too much consequence to these attacks。 They cannot do us any essential
injury。 The tissue of misrepresentations attempted to be woven round
us are like cobwebs woven round the limbs of an infant giant。 Our
country continually outgrows them。 One falsehood after another falls
off of itself。 We have but to live on； and every day we live a whole
volume of refutation。
All the writers of England united； if we could for a moment
suppose their great minds stooping to so unworthy a combination； could
not conceal our rapidly…growing importance； and matchless
prosperity。 They could not conceal that these are owing； not merely to
physical and local； but also to moral causes… to the political
liberty； the gener
