“To give you an instance: when the great Dickens came to our country we received him as no Englishman had ever been received. Every one was ready to do him a favor, so as to make his visit as pleasant to him as possible. At an inland city, where he was to give a reading, the proprietor of the hotel where he stopped went to his room and said, ‘Mr. Dickens, I am the proprietor of the hotel, and I come myself to say that if there is anything needed to make you comfortable, if you will only let me know what it is I will take great pleasure in providing it.’ The proprietor did not send a servant, but went himself. This was his idea of hospitality and kindness. The great man, without rising from his chair, with a wave of his hand and a gruff, insolent voice, retorted, ‘I wish you would not bother me; when I need anything I will ring the bell.’ The landlord was a retired officer of the army, a gentleman. We have no castes as in England. We have gentlemen in every kind of business. A man is taken at his real worth, no matter what his employment. Some of our best men are merchants—shop-keepers, as they are styled and despised in England. “They say we have no manners. A Duke came to see America. He did not think it worth while to get any letters of introduction to such a boorish people. The English accuse us of thinking a great deal of titles. This is so, for we have an idea that titles mean something, and that those who have them are somebody. In this we have been deceived, but who were the deceivers? The Duke happened to make a few acquaintances, and was invited to a dinner party by one of the best families. He delayed his coming so long that the dinner was kept waiting, and when he appeared it was in a tweed bob suit, such as he would wear at home in a morning stroll with his dogs. All the guests were in full dress, and at once noticed his neglige attire. The hostess, after recovering from her surprise, sent him word by a servant that she would excuse his absence, as it was evident that he did not wish to meet a dinner party. He took his leave, probably cursing the impudence of those upstart Americans. “Another instance. When Lady Brassey came to the United States in her yacht, the ‘Sunbeam,’ she went to call on General Grant, the President, and asked to be shown into his private office. Mr. Fish, the Secretary of State, who happened to be present in the ‘White House,’ suggested that he would confer with the President and appoint a time for calling. When the time came she appeared dressed in a riding-habit and bringing a small dog, which she proposed to take in with her. Mr. Fish ordered a man in waiting to remove the dog. At this the Lady protested. “‘It is against the rules for dogs to be allowed to enter the parlor.’ And still she insisted. Said the Secretary, ‘Madame, you must choose between the removal of your dog and your being admitted to the President of the United States.’ She then very reluctantly consented to its removal.