第1章

LateChineseMinistertotheUnitedStatesofAmerica，Spain，Peru，MexicoandCuba；recentlyMinisterofForeignAffairsandMinisterofJusticefortheProvincialGovernmentoftheRepublicofChina，etc。 PrefaceOfallnationsintheworld，AmericaisthemostinterestingtotheChinese。 AhandfulofpeopleleftEnglandtoexplorethiscountry: graduallytheirnumberincreased，and，incourseoftime，emigrantsfromotherlandsswelledthepopulation。Theyweregovernedbyofficialsfromthehomeofthefirstsettlers，butwhenitappearedtothemthattheywerebeingtreatedunjustly，theyrebelledanddeclaredwaragainsttheirrulers，thestrongestnationonthefaceoftheearth。 Aftersevenyearsofstrenuous，perilous，andbloodywarfare，duringwhichthousandsoflivesweresacrificedonbothsides，theyoungerraceshookofftheyokeoftheolder，andEnglandwascompelledtorecognizetheindependenceoftheAmericanStates。Sincethen，inthecomparativelyshortspaceofonehundredandthirtyyears，thoserevolutionistsandtheirdescendants，havenotonlymadethecommonwealththerichestintheworld，buthavefoundedanationwhosewordnowcarriesweightwithalltheothergreatpowers。 TheterritoryatfirstoccupiedwasnotlargerthanoneortwoprovincesofChina，butbypurchase，andinotherways，thecommonwealthhasgraduallygrowntillnowitextendsfromtheAtlantictothePacificOcean，fromthenorthwhereiceisperpetualtothesouthwherethesunisashotasinequatorialSingapore。 Thisyoungrepublichasalreadyproducedmanymenandwomenwhoaredistinguishedinthefieldsofliterature，science，artandinvention。 Therehostsofmen，whointheiryouthwereaspooraschurchmice，have，bydintofperseveranceandbusinesscapacity，becomemulti-millionaires。Thereyoumayseetherichestmanintheworldlivingasimpleandabstemiouslife，withoutpompandostentation，dailywalkinginthestreetsunattendedevenbyaservant。 Manyofthemhavesomuchmoneythattheydonotknowwhattodowithit。 Manyforeigncounts，dukes，andevenprinceshavebeencapturedbytheirwealthyandhandsomedaughters，someofwhomhavebornesonswhohavebecomehighofficersofstateinforeignlands。 Thereyoufindrichpeoplewhodevotetheirtimeandwealthtocharitableworks，sometimesendowinglibrariesnotonlyintheirownland，butallovertheworld；thereyouwillfindlynchingtolerated，orimpossibleofprevention；thereonemanmaykillanother，andbythewonderfulprocessoflawescapetheextremepenaltyofdeath； thereyoumeetthepeoplewhoaremostfavorablydisposedtowardthemaintenanceofpeace，andwhoholdconferencesandconventionswiththatobjectinviewalmosteveryyear；thereanAmericanmulti-millionairedevotesagreatproportionofhistimetothepropagandaofpeace，andathisownexpensehasbuiltinaforeigncountryapalatialbuildingtobeusedasatribunalofpeace。*Yetthesepeoplehavewagedwaronbehalfofothernationalitieswhotheythoughtwerebeingunjustlytreatedandwhenvictorioustheyhavenotheldontothefruitsoftheirvictorywithoutpayingareasonableprice。**Theretheinhabitantsare，asarule，extremelypatriotic，andinarecentforeignwarmanygaveuptheirbusinessesandprofessionsandvolunteeredforserviceinthearmy； oneofherrichestsonsenlistedandequippedawholeregimentathisownexpense，andtookcommandofit。Inthatcountryallthecitizensareheirsapparenttothethrone，calledtheWhiteHouse。 Amanmaybecomethechiefrulerforafewyears，butafterleavingtheWhiteHouseherevertstoprivatecitizenship；ifheisalawyerhemaypractiseandappearbeforeajudge，whomheappointedwhilehewaspresident。Thereawomanmaybecomealawyerandpleadacasebeforeacourtofjusticeonbehalfofamaleclient； therefreedomofspeechandcriticismareallowedtotheextremelimit，andpeopleareliabletobeannoyedbyslandersandlibelswithoutmuchchanceofobtainingsatisfaction；thereyouwillseewomenwearing\"MerryWidow\"hatswhoarenotwidowsbutspinsters，ormarriedwomenwhosehusbandsareverymuchalive，andthehatsinmanycasesareaslargeasthreefeetindiameter；*** thereyoumaytravelbyrailmostcomfortablyonpalacecars，andatnightyoumaysleeponPullmancars，tofindinthemorningthatayoungladyhasbeensleepingintheberthaboveyourbed。 Thepeoplearemostingeniousinthattheycanfloatacompanyandwaterthestockwithoutusingadropoffluid；therearebearsandbullsintheStockExchange，butyoudonotseetheseanimalsfight，althoughtheyroarandyellloudlyenough。Itiscertainlyamostextraordinarycountry。ThepeoplearewonderfulandaremostinterestingandinstructivetotheChinese—— *ThismagnificentbuildingatTheHague，whichisaptlycalledthePalaceofPeace，wasformallyopenedonthe28thofAugust，1913，inthepresenceofQueenWilhelmina，Mr。Carnegie(thefounder) andalargeassemblyofforeignrepresentatives。 **IrefertotheSpanish-AmericanWar。HavecapturedthePhilippineIslands，theUnitedStatespaid$20，000，000，gold，forittotheSpanishGovernment。 ***Thiswasseveralyearsago。Fashionschangeeveryyear。 Thepresenttypeisequallyludicrous—— Sucharaceshouldcertainlybeveryinterestingtostudy。 DuringmytwomissionstoAmericawhereIresidednearlyeightyears，repeatedrequestsweremadethatIshouldwritemyobservationsandimpressionsofAmerica。Ididnotfeeljustifiedindoingsoforseveralreasons:first，Icouldnotfindtimeforsuchataskamidstmyofficialduties；secondly，althoughIhadbeentravellingthroughmanysectionsofthecountry，andhadcomeincontactofficiallyandsociallywithmanyclassesofpeople，stilltheremightbesomefeaturesofthecountryandsometraitsofthepeoplewhichhadescapedmyattention；andthirdly，thoughIhadseenmuchinAmericatoarousemyadmiration，Ifeltthathereandthere，therewasroomforimprovement，andtobecompelledtocriticizepeoplewhohadbeengenerous，courteous，andkindwassomethingIdidnotwishtodo。 InanswertomyscruplesIwastoldthatIwasnotexpectedtowriteaboutAmericainapartialorunfairmanner，buttostateimpressionsofthelandjustasIhadfoundit。 Aladyfriend，forwhoseopinionIhavethehighestrespect，saidineffect，\"Wewantyoutowriteaboutourcountryandtospeakofourpeopleinanimpartialandcandidway；wedonotwantyoutobestowpraisewhereitisundeserved；andwhenyoufindanythingdeservingofcriticismorcondemnationyoushouldnothesitatetomentionit，forwelikeourfaultstobepointedoutthatwemayreform。\" Iadmitthesoundnessofmyfriend\'sargument。Itshowsthebroad-mindednessandmagnanimityoftheAmericanpeople。InwritingthefollowingpagesIhaveuniformlyfollowedtheprincipleslaiddownbymyAmericanladyfriend。 Ihavenotscrupledtofranklyandfreelyexpressmyviews，butIhopenotinanycarpingspirit；andItrustAmericanreaderswillforgivemeiftheyfindsomeopinionstheycannotendorse。 Iassurethemtheywerenotformedhastilyorunkindly。 Indeed，IshouldnotbeasincerefriendwereItopicturetheircountryasaperfectparadise，orwereItoglossoverwhatseemtometobetheirdefects。 ContentsPrefaceChapter1。TheImportanceofNamesChapter2。AmericanProsperityChapter3。AmericanGovernmentChapter4。AmericaandChinaChapter5。AmericanEducationChapter6。AmericanBusinessMethodsChapter7。AmericanFreedomandEqualityChapter8。AmericanMannersChapter9。AmericanWomenChapter10。AmericanCostumesChapter11。AmericanversusChineseCivilizationChapter12。AmericanversusChineseCivilization(Continued) Chapter13。Dinners，Banquets，Etc。 Chapter14。TheatersChapter15。OperaandMusicalEntertainmentsChapter16。ConjuringandCircusesChapter17。SportsAMERICA ThroughtheSpectaclesofanOrientalDiplomatChapter1。TheImportanceofNames\"What\'sinaname？ThatwhichwecallaroseByanyothernamewouldsmellassweet。\" Notwithstandingtheselines，Imaintainthattheselectionofnamesisimportant。Theyshouldalwaysbecarefullychosen。 Theyareapttoinfluencefriendshipsortoexciteprejudicesaccordingtotheirsignificance。WeChineseareveryparticularinthismatter。Whenasonisbornthefatherorthegrandfatherchoosesanamefortheinfantboywhich，accordingtohishoroscope，islikelytoinsurehimsuccess，oranameisselectedwhichindicatesthewishofthefamilyforthenew-bornchild。Hencesuchnamesas\"happiness\"，\"prosperity\"，\"longevity\"，\"success\"，andothers，withlikepropitiousimport，arecommoninChina。Withregardtogirlstheirnamesaregenerallyselectedfromflowers，fruits，ortrees。 Particularcareistakennottouseanamewhichhasabadmeaning。 InWashingtonIoncemetamaninanelevatorwhosenamewas\"Coffin\"。 WasItobeblamedforwonderingiftheelevatorwouldbemycoffin？ OnanotheroccasionImetamanwhosenamewas\"Death\"，andassoonasIheardhisnameIfeltinclinedtorunaway，forIdidnotwishtodie。Iamnotsuperstitious。 Ihavefrequentlytakendinnerwiththirteenpersonsatthetable，andIdonothesitatetostartonajourneyonaFriday。 IoftendothingswhichwouldnotbedonebysuperstitiouspersonsinChina。 Buttomeetamancallinghimself\"Coffin\"or\"Death\"wastoomuchforme，andwithallmydisbeliefinsuperstitionIcouldnothelpshowingsomerepugnancetothosewhoboresuchnames。 Equallyimportant，ifnotmoreso，istheselectionofanameforastateoranation。WhentheseveralstatesofAmericabecameindependenttheycalledthemselvesthe\"UnitedStatesofAmerica\"—— averyhappyidea。TheUnionwasoriginallycomposedofthirteenstates，coveringabout300，000squaremiles；itisnowcomposedofforty-eightstatesandthreeterritories，whichinareaamountto3，571，492squaremiles，practicallyaslargeinextentasChina，theoldestnationintheworld。 Itshouldbenotedthatthenameismostcomprehensive:itmightcomprisetheentirecontinentofNorthandSouthAmerica。Itissafetosaythatthefoundersofthenationdidnotchoosesuchanamewithoutconsideration，anddoubtlessthedesignation\"UnitedStatesofAmerica\" concealsadeepmotive。IonceaskedagentlemanwhosaidhewasanAmericanwhetherhehadcomefromSouthorNorthAmerica，orwhetherhewasaMexican，aPeruvianoranativeofanyofthecountriesinCentralAmerica？ HerepliedwithemphasisthathewasanAmericancitizenoftheUnitedStates。 IsaiditmightbetheUnitedStatesofMexico，orArgentina，orotherUnitedStates，butheansweredthatwhenhecalledhimselfacitizenitcouldnotmeananyotherthanthatoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica。 IhaveaskedmanyotherAmericanssimilarquestionsandtheyallhavegivenmerepliesinthesameway。WeChinesecallournation\"TheMiddleKingdom\"； itwassupposedtobeinthecenteroftheearth。IgivecredittothefoundersoftheUnitedStatesforabetterknowledgeofgeographythanthatpossessedbymycountrymenofancienttimesanddonotassumethatthenewlyformednationwassupposedtocomprisethewholecontinentofNorthandSouthAmerica，yetthenamechosenissocomprehensiveastoleadonenaturallytosuspectthatitwasintendedtoincludetheentirecontinent。However，frommyobservationoftheirnationalconduct，Ibelievetheirpurposewasjustandhumane； itwastosetanobleexampletothesisternationsintheWesternHemisphere，andtoknitmorecloselyallthenationsonthatcontinentthroughthebondsofmutualjustice，goodwillandfriendship。 TheAmericannationis，indeed，itselfapleasinganduniqueexampleoftheprincipleofdemocracy。Itsgovernmentisideal，withaliberalconstitution，whichineffectdeclaresthatallmenarecreatedequal，andthatthegovernmentis\"ofthepeople，forthepeople，andbythepeople。\"Anyonewithordinaryintelligenceandwithopeneyes，whoshouldvisitanycity，townorvillageinAmerica，couldnotbutbeimpressedwiththeorderlyandunostentatiouswayinwhichitisgovernedbythelocalauthorities，orhelpbeingstruckbytheplainanddemocraticcharacterofthepeople。 Evenintheelementaryschools，democracyistaughtandpractised。 IremembervisitingapublicschoolforchildreninPhiladelphia，whichIshallneverforget。Therewereaboutthreeorfourhundredchildren，boysandgirls，betweensevenandfourteenyearsofage。 Theyelectedoneoftheirstudentsasmayor，anotherasjudge，anotheraspolicecommissioner，andinfacttheyelectedforthecontroloftheirschoolcommunityalmostalltheofficialswhousuallygovernacity。TherewereafewChinesechildrenamongthestudents，andoneofthemwaspointedouttomeasthepolicesuperintendent。 Thisnotonlyeloquentlyspokeofhispopularity，butshowedgoodwillandharmonyamongtheseveralhundredchildren，andtheentireabsenceofracefeeling。Theprincipalsandteacherstoldmethattheyhadnodifficultywhateverwiththestudents。 Ifoneofthemdidanythingwrong，whichwasnotoften，hewouldbetakenbythestudentpolicemanbeforethejudge，whowouldtrythecase，anddecideitonitsmerits，andpunishordischargehisfellowstudentasjusticedemanded。 Iwasassuredbytheschoolauthoritiesthatthissystemofself-governmentworkedadmirably；itnotonlyrelievedtheteachersoftheburdenofconstantlylookingaftertheseveralhundredpupils，buteachofthemfeltamoralresponsibilitytobehavewell，forthesakeofpreservingthepeaceandgoodnameoftheschool。 Thusearlyimbuedwiththeideaofself-government，andentrustedwiththeresponsibilitiesofitsadministration，thesechildrenwhengrownup，takeadeepinterestinfederalandmunicipalaffairs，and，whenelectedforoffice，invariablyperformtheirdutiesefficientlyandwithcredittothemselves。 ItcannotbedisputedthattheUnitedStateswithitsdemocraticsystemofgovernmenthasexercisedagreatinfluenceoverthestatesandnationsinCentralandSouthAmerica。ThefollowingdatashowingthedifferentnationsofAmerica，withthedatesatwhichtheyturnedtheirrespectivegovernmentsfromMonarchiesintoRepublics，allsubsequenttotheindependenceoftheUnitedStates，areverysignificant。 MexicobecameaRepublicin1823，Hondurasin1839，Salvadorin1839，Nicaraguain1821，CostaRicain1821，Panamain1903，Colombiain1819，Venezuelain1830，Ecuadorin1810，Brazilin1889，Peruin1821，Boliviain1825，Paraguayin1811，Chilein1810，Argentinain1824，andUruguayin1828。 TheseRepublicshavebeencloselymodelledupontherepublicanformofgovernmentoftheUnitedStates；thus，nearlyallthenationsorstatesonthecontinentofAmericahavebecomeRepublics。 CanadastillbelongstoGreatBritain。ThefairandgenerouspolicypursuedbytheImperialGovernmentofGreatBritainaccountsfortheCanadians\'satisfactionwiththeirpoliticalposition，andforthefactthattheydonotwishachange。Itmustbenoted，however，thatasectionoftheAmericanpeoplewouldliketoseeCanadaincorporatedwiththeUnitedStates。IrememberthatatapublicmeetingheldinWashington，atwhichSirWilfridLaurier，thenPremierofCanada，waspresent，aneminentjudgeoftheFederalSupremeCourtjocularlyexpressedawishthatCanadashouldbeannexedtotheUnitedStates。 Later，Mr。ChampClark，aleaderoftheDemocraticpartyintheHouseofRepresentatives，addressedtheHouseurgingtheannexationofCanada。Evenifthesestatementsarenottakenseriouslytheyatleastshowthefeelingsofsomepeople，andhewouldbeaboldmanwhowouldprophesythepoliticalstatusofCanadainthefuture。Thereis，however，nopresentindicationofanychangebeingdesiredbytheCanadians，anditmaybesafelypresumedthattheexistingconditionswillcontinueformanyyearstocome。 Thisisnottobewonderedat，forCanadathoughnominallyaBritishcolonypracticallyenjoysalmostalltheprivilegesofanindependentstate。 ShepossessesaconstitutionsimilartothatoftheUnitedKingdom，withaparliamentoftwohouses，calledthe\"Senate\"，andthe\"HouseofCommons\"。TheSovereignofGreatBritainappointsonlytheGovernorGeneralwhoactsinhisname，buttheDominionisgovernedbyaresponsibleMinistry，andalldomesticaffairsaremanagedbylocalofficials，withoutinterferencefromtheHomeGovernment。CanadiansenjoyasmanyrightsastheinhabitantsofEngland，withtheadditionaladvantagethattheydonothavetobeartheburdenofmaintaininganarmyandnavy。 Someyearsago，ifIrememberrightly，inconsequenceofsomeagitationordiscussionforindependence，thelateLordDerby，thenSecretaryofStatefortheColonies，statedthatiftheCanadiansreallywishedforindependence，theHomeGovernmentwouldnotoppose，butthattheyshouldconsideriftheywouldgainanythingbythechange，seeingthattheyalreadyhadself-government，enjoyedallthebenefitsofafreepeople，andthattheonlyrighttheHomeGovernmentreservedwastheappointmentoftheGovernor-General，althoughitassumedtheresponsibilityofprotectingeveryinchoftheirterritoryfromencroachment。 SincethissensibleadvicefromtheColonialSecretary，Ihaveheardnothingmoreoftheagitationforindependence。 Fromacommercialpointofview，andforthewelfareofthepeople，thereisnotmuchtochooseto-daybetweenaLimitedMonarchyandaRepublic。 Letus，forinstance，compareEnglandwiththeUnitedStates。 ThepeopleofEnglandareasfreeandindependentasthepeopleoftheUnitedStates，andthoughsubjects，theyenjoyasmuchfreedomasAmericans。Thereare，however，someadvantagesinfavorofaRepublic。 AmericansuntilrecentlypaidtheirPresidentasalaryofonly$50，000ayear； itisnow$75，000withanadditionalallowanceof$25，000 fortravellingexpenses。ThisissmallindeedcomparedwiththeCivilListoftheKingorEmperorofanygreatnation。TherearemorechancesinaRepublicforambitiousmentodistinguishthemselves；forinstance，acitizencanbecomeapresident，andpracticallyassumethefunctionsofakingoranemperor。InfactthePresidentoftheUnitedStatesappointshisowncabinetofficials，ambassadors，ministers，etc。 Itisgenerallystatedthateverynewpresidenthastheprivilegeofmakingmorethantenthousandappointments。WithregardtotheadministrationandexecutivefunctionshehasinpracticemorepowerthanisusuallyexercisedbyakingoranemperorofaConstitutionalMonarchy。Ontheotherhand，insomematters，theexecutiveofaRepubliccannotdowhatakingoranemperorcando； forexample，apresidentcannotdeclarewaragainstaforeignnationwithoutfirstobtainingtheconsentofCongress。Inamonarchicalgovernmentthekingorthecabinetofficialsassumeenormousresponsibilities。 LordBeaconsfield(thenMr。D\'Israeli)，whilehewasPrimeMinisterofEngland，purchasedin1875fromtheKhediveofEgypt176，602SuezCanalsharesforthesumof3，976，582Poundsonhisownresponsibility，andwithoutconsultingtheImperialParliament。 WhenParliamentorCongresshastobeconsultedabouteverything，greatnationalopportunitiestodosomeprofitablebusinessmustundoubtedlybesometimeslost。NosuchboldnationalinvestmentasthatmadebyLordBeaconsfieldcouldhavebeenundertakenbyanyAmericanpresidentonhisownresponsibility。Mr。Cleveland，whenpresidentoftheUnitedStates，saidthat\"thepublicaffairsoftheUnitedStatesaretransactedinaglasshouse。\" Washington，inhisfarewelladdress，advisedhiscompatriotsthatonaccountofthedetachedanddistantsituationoftheircountrytheyshould，inextendingtheircommercialrelationswithforeignnations，haveaslittlepoliticalconnectionwiththemaspossible； andheaskedthispertinentandpregnantquestion，\"Why，byinterweavingourdestinywiththatofanypartofEurope，entangleourpeaceandprosperityinthetoilsofEuropeanambition，rivalship，interest，humor，orcaprice？\" In1823，twenty-sevenyearsafterWashington\'scelebratedaddress，PresidentMonroeinhisannualmessagetoCongresswarnedtheEuropeanPowersnottoplantanynewcoloniesonanyportionoftheAmericanhemisphere，asanyattemptontheirparttoextendtheirsysteminthatpartoftheworldwouldbeconsideredasdangeroustothepeaceandsafetyoftheUnitedStates。 This\"MonroeDoctrine\"，asithassincebeencalled，practicallyprotectseverystateandcountryontheAmericancontinentfromattackorinterferencebyanyforeignpower，anditcannotbedeniedthatithasbeenandisnowthechieffactorinpreservingtheintegrityofallthecountriesonthatcontinent。ThustheUnitedStatesisassumingtheroleofguardianovertheotherAmericannations。InthecityofWashingtonthereisanInternationalBureauoftheAmericanRepublics，inwhichalltheRepublicsofCentralandSouthAmericaarerepresented。 ItishousedinamagnificentpalacemadepossiblebythebeneficenceofMr。AndrewCarnegie，theAmericanmulti-millionaireandphilanthropist，andthecontributionsofthedifferentgovernments。Itcost750，000 golddollars，andMr。JohnBarrett，thecapableandpopulardirectoroftheBureau，haswellcalledit\"atempleoffriendshipandcommerceandameetingplacefortheAmericanRepublics。\"TheBureauissupportedbythejointcontributionsofthetwenty-oneAmericanRepublics，anditsaffairsarecontrolledbyagoverningboardcomposedoftheirdiplomaticrepresentativesinWashington，withtheAmericanSecretaryofStateaschairmanexofficio。 ThisinstitutionnodoubtstrengthensthepositionoftheUnitedStatesandiscalculatedtodrawtheAmericanRepublicsintocloserfriendship。 Chapter2。AmericanProsperityOneofthemaincausesoftheprosperityofthegreatAmericanRepublicisitsnaturalresources。Itpossessescoal，oil，silver，gold，copper，andalltheothermineralores。Natureseems，indeed，tohaveprovidedalmosteverythingthatmanneeds。Thesoilisrich；wheatandeverykindoffruitcanbegrown；butfavorableasarethesenativeconditionstheycouldnotbeturnedtoanygreatadvantagewithouttheskillandindustryofenterprisingmen。ManycountriesinAfricaandAsiapossessequaladvantages，buttheyarenotequallyprosperous。 ThisleadsmetotheconsiderationofanotherreasonforAmerica\'sgrowth。 ThemenwhohavemigratedtotheUnitedStateshavenotbeenrichpeople。 Theywenttheretomakealiving。Theywerepreparedtowork，theirpurposewastoimprovetheircondition，andtheywerewillingtoundertakeanymanualormentallabortoaccomplishtheirobject。 Theywerehardyandstrongandcouldbearaheavystrain。 Theirchildreninheritedtheirgoodqualities，andsoanAmericanisgenerallymorehardworkingandenterprisingthanmostofthepeopleinEuropeandelsewhere。 AnotherreasonforAmerica\'ssuccessisthegreatfreedomwhicheachcitizenenjoys。Everymanconsidershimselftheequalofeveryother，andayoungmanwhoisambitiouswillnotrestuntilhereachesthetopofhisprofessionortrade。ThousandsofAmericanswhowereonceverypoor，havebecomemillionairesormulti-millionaires。 Manyofthemhadnocollegeeducation，theytaughtthemselves，andsomeofthemhavebecomebothliteraryandscholarly。 Acollegeoruniversityeducationdoesnotnecessarilymakeamanlearned； itonlygiveshimtheopportunitytolearn。Itissaidthatsomecollegemenhaveproventhemselvestobequiteignorant，orratherthattheydonotknowsomuchasthosewhohavebeenself-taught。 Idonotinanywaywishtodisparageacollegeeducation； nodoubtmenwhohavebeentrainedinauniversitystartinlifewithbetterprospectsandwithagreaterchanceofsuccess，butthosemenwhohavenothadsuchadvantageshavedoubtlessdonemuchtomaketheircountrygreatandprosperous，andtheyoughttoberecognizedasgreatmen。 ThegeneraldesireoftheAmericanpeopletotravelabroadisoneoftheirgoodtraits。Peoplewhoneverleavetheirhomescannotknowmuch。Apersonmaybecomewell-informedbyreading，buthispracticalknowledgecannotbecomparedwiththatofapersonwhohastravelled。WeChinesearegreatsinnersinthisregard。 AChinesemaximsays，\"Itisdangeroustorideonhorsebackortogoonavoyage\":henceuntilveryrecentlywehadahorrorofgoingabroad。 Apersonwhoremainsallhislifeinhisowntownisgenerallynarrow-minded，self-opinioned，andselfish。TheAmericanpeoplearefreefromthesefaults。 Itisnotonlytherichandthewell-to-dowhovisitforeigncountries，buttradesmenandworkmenwhentheyhavesavedalittlemoneyalsooftencrosstheAtlantic。SomeyearsagoaSenatorinWashingtontoldmethathecrossedtheAtlanticOceaneverysummerandspentseveralmonthsinEurope，andthatthenexttripwouldbehistwenty-eighthvoyage。 Ifound，however，thathehadnevergonebeyondEurope。IventuredtosuggestthatheshouldextendhisnextannualjourneyalittlefartherandvisitJapan，China，andotherplacesintheFarEastwhichIfeltsurehewouldfindbothinterestingandinstructive。 IhavetravelledthroughmanycountriesinEuropeandSouthAmerica，andwhereverIhavegoneandatwhateverhotelIhaveputup，IhavealwaysfoundsomeAmericans，andonmanyoccasionsIhavemetfriendsandacquaintanceswhomIhadknowninWashingtonorNewYork。