The ingrained idea that, because there is no king and they despise titles, the Americans are a free people is pathetically untrue; and you have only to watch the working of the Prohibition law to see the dangers of repressive legislation. There is a perpetual interference with personal liberty over there that would not be tolerated in England for a week. It is probably due to our passion for understatement and that we have inherited wise and tested regulations that the British are a law abiding race; but I think if the Americans were given a chance they would be the same. I can only say, if they are not, Democracy will prove as great a failure as Czardom. It is enormously to the credit of the American public that they have never chosen a bad character in their presidents and have produced, in Abraham Lincoln, a man of genius, ability and courage who will live for ever in the hearts and minds of every country in the world. Nor must we forget that he dominated the people in spite of a campaign of calumny by the press only equalled by the one to which my husband was subjected in the latter days of the war. Men at the head of affairs must be independent of public opinion if they wish to achieve anything and never try to conciliate a press that, in all fairness, it must be said,--with a few exceptions--does not attempt to guide, for more than a transitory moment, anyone to any goal. The present Government in America from all I heard--some of its heads I had the honour to meet--seems to be an admirable one, and working smoothly in times of exceptional difficulty. President Harding has had the wisdom to get good men round him and is a man of open mind and wide views himself. With some of the faults I have found during my tour I am told that "The American Credo"[*] (given to me by my friend Mr. Anderson of the St. Louis _Dispatch_) deals with searching fidelity. I daresay when I read it I shall learn where I have been wrong; but in criticising as I have, I am merely fulfilling the promise I made to write my impressions which at best can be but superficial. [*] By G. J. Nathan and H. L. Mencken. Among thoughtful people there is a great deal of pro-American propaganda going on in this country, and in conclusion I would like to say that there is so much that is fine and keen in the American race, so much that is disarming and lovable, that if I have written anything exaggerated or erroneous, I should feel of all people the most ungrateful. I can only plead to be forgiven where I have erred, as I was not only shown unforgettable courtesy and friendship, but I feel it is vital to the peace of the world that our people and those of the United States should understand and care for one another. THE END INDEX A Acton, Lord, 15 Adams, tomb, 62 Allard, Miss, 76 Allen, Henry J, 161, 178, 180 America, 9 dancers, 24 man, 17 press, 83 race, 207 women, 16 Americans, 200 Anderson, Paul, 147, 152, 171, 206 Aurelius, Marcus, 159 B