The International Magazine, Volume 2, No. 2, January, 1851Various
History
The International Magazine, Volume 2, No. 2, January, 1851
Various
Art, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- History -- Periodicals
Somebody is writing for the _United Service_, "Reminiscences of a Voyage
to Canada," and we have looked into a couple of his chapters to see what
sort of stuff, respecting America, is thus submitted to the officers of
her Majesty's Army and Navy. The style of a fellow who talks of his
"fellow countrymen" (not meaning, as the words do, persons who live with
him in rural neighborhoods), is scarcely deserving of criticism; but the
silliness of the falsehoods of this latest English traveller among us,
may be referred to as illustrating the causes of the common prejudices
in England against the United States. After describing his arrival at
the Tremont House, in Boston, he says:
"A clerk [meaning our old friend Parker], dressed in the height
of fashion, presided at the bar [meaning the office] at which
we applied for rooms, wherein to perform our duties of the
toilet. The one to which I was directed contained several beds
without curtains, from which the occupants had evidently but a
short time previously taken their departure. This was however a
matter of indifference, as I imagined the apartment would have
been entirely at my own disposal. In the course of a few
minutes however, the door was opened, and in walked an
individual, who, depositing a small carpet bag on the floor,
commenced operations of a similar nature to those I myself was
engaged in--not a word was at first exchanged between us; he
eyed me critically, I returned the compliment, till at length I
was favored with 'Stranger, I guess you are from Europe' (a
strong accent on the last syllable), immediately followed by
questions as to where I was going, what was my business, &c.
This was somewhat amusing, so I informed my gentleman I was
journeying to New-York, whereupon he told me I should see an
'almighty fine city.' His curiosity being next attracted by my
portmanteau, which was lying open on a chair, he strode up and
peered into it most attentively. Thinking I might as well
follow his example, I did the same by his carpet bag; whereupon
giving a grunt of dissatisfaction, he collected his valuables
and soon after took himself off."
Thirty years ago, the Duke of Saxe Weimar published a western story of a
coachman who said, "I am the gentleman what's to drive you." Our very
original _United Service_ tourist tells of a visit to Mount Auburn, and
adds:
"Whilst driving back to the hotel I happened to remark, 'That
is the _man_ who drove us from the steamer in the morning.'
Upon which 'Jehu' quickly replied, 'I reckon I'm the
_gentleman_ that drove you.' This information was received on
our part with all the respect due to the elevated rank of our
charioteer."
In a paragraph about luggage:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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