The Ways of Men

ntra-distinction to other subjects of Her Majesty, expresses neatly the feeling of our insular cousins n

dress better, run faster, pronounce more correctly? Who, unless promptly suppressed, will turn the conversation into a monologue

n them the conviction that he is a rare being instead of a commonplace mortal. He is not a bad sort of person at bottom, and ready to do one a friendly turn-if it d

not the fault, of the rest of the human race, that they are not native to his island; a fact, by the w

rymen and settle far from home are regarded with distrust and reluctantly received. When a family of this kind prepares to live in their neighborhood, Britons have a formula of three questions they ask themselves concerning the new-comers: "Whom do they know?

ate, for that is vile; nor the city of London, for it is one of the ugliest in existence; nor their "cuisine"-for although we are not good cooks ourselves, we know what good food is and

are in earnest, so incomparably dull have I always found English house parties or town entertainments. At least that side of society which the climbin

urs; the men, who are out all day shooting or hunting according to the season, get back so fagged that if they do not actually drop asleep at the dinner-table, they will nap immediately afte

among the women, and expressing her wonder that those who did not hunt could refrain from blowing out their brains, so awful was the dulness and monotony! She had

ho at a ball in Europe expressed his astonishment that the guests took the trouble to dance and get themselves hot and dishevelled, explaining that in the East he paid people to do that for him. In England "amusers" are invited expressly to be funny; anything uttered by one of these delightful individuals is sure to be received with much laughter.

han our own. Their authors have acknowledged it, and well they may. For from Scott and Dickens down to Ha

ised land, toward which they turn longing eyes. You will always find a few of these votaries over there in the "season," struggling bravely up the social current, making acquaintances, spending money at charity sales, g

n for the unlettered tourists trotting conscientiously around the country, d

us souls abroad; five minutes' conversation is enough. It is never about a place that they talk, but of the people they know. London

es and themselves powers. Next comes the discovery that the circle into which they have forced their way is not nearly as attractive as it appeared from a distance. Consequently that vague disappointment is felt which most of

in far down in any walk of life. Rise by your efforts higher each year, and then be careful to die before discovering that

at the fault lies in the circle, and they assume that their particular talents require a larger field. Having conquered all in sight, these social Alexanders pine for a new world, which general

mp cards in their hands and a profound knowledge of "Hoyle" smilingly offer them seats. Having acquired in a home game a knowledge of "bluff," our friends plunge with delight into the fray, only to find English society so formed that, climb they never so wisely, the top can never be reached. Work as hard as they may, succeed even beyond their fondest hopes, there will always remain circles above, toward which