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I have directed attention to many points upon which we of of conduct, which is indicative of a good nature that may deg,- English blood are alike on both sides of the water. What is said nerate into weakness, is partly an exponent of that reserve in the upon "American Forensic Oratory" in the Spectator of September Yankee character which I have heretofore remarked upon,—a cer- 17 gives me an opportunity to bring up one point in which there tam n self-respect which restrains manifestations of individual feeling seems to be unlikeness. I pass by the merits of the case in question and of excitement. I have heard of managers complain of this too ; (the conduct of the court and the bar in Muller's examination here), and Mrs. Kean once deplored it bitterly in my hearing. Her houses only remarking that Mr. Chauncey Schaffer, being an exceptional were thronged night after night, and people were delighted ; but it man, notorious among our bar and the public as a "blower," is as was only at the two or three most stirring points of the play usual selected by a British critic as the typical representative of that they were carried beyond their reserve into noisy demonstra- the " American " style of his class, and reprobated by the column ; tions of their pleasure. They sat and enjoyed in silence. This was the while the courts and the other counsel, both for and against complaint of the most popular actress who has ever visited us. Muller, as their conduct and style of talking represent the usual The truth is that we Yankees, instead of being the most excitable proceedings at bar here, are brushed aside with an approving very and extravagant of people, which you continually speak of us as creditable indeed, and "as dignified, as sober, and as business-like" being, are possibly of all people the least excitable, certainly
as that which prevails in British courts ; in short, quite English of all people except the Dutch, the least inclined to the extrava- and not "American." But the point which I proposed to gant exhibition of excitement. I have seen a great ship launched
notice is your remark that "probably no single Publication and slide superbly off into the water, with thousands upon thousands (here) will ridicule the tone of Mr. Schaffer's eloquence as it looking on, some of whom had come from far to see the sight, and deserves." Now that is exactly what we don't do here, or do not heard one cheer go up. I have been recently one of a crowd very rarely, and only upon extremest provocation. We shrink of hundreds upon a large steamer to whom, as we approached the from infliction of personal pain. There is here less of what Mr. Pier, news of a great victory was shouted by those onshore; and be. Ruskincalls "the criticism that breaks hearts," and which he says yond a bright glancing of the eye, and a deep stern hum of approba- people like best, than there is in Europe. We withhold praise ; tion, there was not a sign of excitement. There are times, however, but we do not inflict censure, or inffict it only upon great when we do let loose ; and then we do it with a vengeance. Any occasions. This is shown in many ways. I have heard managers European who has seen or read a faithful account of a Democratic of New York and Boston theatres, who are or until of late were mass-meeting in New York may well say that the doings upon London men, complain that their audiences had no way of en_ such occasions do not support what I have just said. But how pressing disapprobation except the very ruinous one of staying should they ? For at Democratic mass-meetings in New York away from the theatre. Why," said one of them to me, "in seven-tenths of those present are Irishmen, and the remainder, London there will be a party for a play or a party against it if it including the speakers, have studiously or insensibly fitted them. is not a complete success, and one will applaud and the other will selves for such companionship. Never forget that it is not to New hiss, or people will come and hiss down a play ; and then you've York, the city, to its press, or its political meetings, or to its public at least a chance for a part of your expenses in getting it up. But doings generally (except those from which its politicians are ex- here you produce a play ; it's received in silence for one or two eluded), that you should look when you would rightly judge the nights, and after that—empty benches. Another play ; the tone and temper of "Americans." Yet oven New York is, with
same thing. What inducement is there to run the risk determined perversity, to say the least, continually misrepresented of getting up a new play ?" The same trait has been recently to you in this respect by your own writers. For instance, the exhibited in regard to the raising of omnibus fare. About correspondent of the London Times, in his letter dated Sep. three months ago all the lines raised their fare from 6 cents to tember 6, says that "New York has been as gay as a 10 cents. The advance, although only 66 per cent., was at once carnival since the news [of the capture of Atlanta] has and on all hands pronounced extortionate. But nobody grumbled arrived." It would have been difficult to make an assertion
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• [Oar correspondent forgets that "the court' especially ability of the defence, including Mr. Chauncey Sohaffer'8.—En. Spectator.] at that time ; and, save for the display of a score or so more flags THE LENITY OF AMERICAN PUBLIC OPINION. in the onmibuses, nobody grumbled in the papers. All the CORRESPONDENT.] prin- [FRO OUR SPECIAL cipal New York omnibus proprietors have united themselves as a
New York, October 8, 1864. Consolidated Omnibus Company, and it was this company that took
UNTIL this morning the week had passed without military news this step. But therewas no outcryagainst monopoly. People merely, from any quarter,—a whole week, and with military affairs in as with one consent, kept out of the omnibuses ; they walked, their present condition that is to us a weary while. Men began to or, where it was possible, they used the street cars, which did not be anxious, and during the last three days the Bears of the Stock advance their prices. After ten days' or a fortnight's experience Exchange have been able to raise the price of gold from 190 to of emptinas the consolidated men went back to their old prices, 200. The sensitiveness which causes this apparent want of steadi- end were full again. But some advance was necessary ; so, a few ness is a part of the price which we pay for our freedom from what weeks ago, they put up little placards in the omnibuses stating the we regard as political and social dead weight. The official news increase in the price of oats, hay, iron, and wages, and announcing which has come this morning is of little importance, but it will that in consequence of this the fare would be 8 cents, with relieve suspense and reassure the public. Sherman's communica- no half fare for children. The public saw that this was tions are safe, and you may be pretty sure that they will remain reasonable, and the omnibuses were just as full as ever. Not long so. Hood and Forrest have only burned their fingers badly by at- ago I was present at a meeting for the organization of an impor- tempting to meddle with them. As to Grant's present movement, tent public institution, somewhat national in its character. The which is yet doing well, I only know that it is his intention to meeting was composed of persons of the highest respectability, proceed with the greatest caution, to take no great risks, but to but that they did not represent the culture of the city you may make all sure as he gets on, and to watch in his faithful infer from the fact that the chairman was not quite clear that re- keen-eyed way. This is not my mere opinion. A part of the war considering a motion was not carrying it. In the course of the news of the week is a very noteworthy speech delivered by Mr. evening the proposed measures were advocated by various gentle- Davie at Macon, Georgia, on the 23rd of September. Comment men in a simple but very clear and effective way. But a certain upon it is not my function ; but I may properly point out that political general rose and made a speech after the fashion of Mr. with the highest authority it sustains the assertions made in these Chauncey Schaffer and his " dignity and sovereignty of the letters as well as elsewhere, that the so-called Confederate military Empire State, and Excelsior' is her proud title still,"—which style power is crumbling to pieces, and not very slowly. Mr. Davis says is called in our slang of the day " spread-eagleism." When he that " two-thirds " of his troops are absent, " some sick and some sat down there was a little applause. After the meeting a commit. absent, but most of them absent without leave." Mr. Davis in his tee remained, and about half who had been present remained also, despair over-rates his losses by desertion. They are probably not to appoint in a chatty way a large executive Board. Many names quite one-third of his nominal forces. But perhaps he reckons had been put down, when some one said, "I suppose General — another third which we hold as prisoners. He threatens to drive will of course expect to be upon this Board." But two or three imme- Sherman from Atlanta, and has sent Beauregard to do it. So he diately replied that a man who could make a speech like that (it was threatened to drive Grant from Chattanooga, and sent Longstreet mildincomparison withthat which the Spectator criticizedas anexam- to do that. But threatened men live long. The Richmond papers, pie of American forensic oratory) was plainly not amen to be placed which were suspended in panic last week, now call for troops in such a position. There was a general murmur of assent, and the "instantly," "without delay from anywhere." we wait to see if general was dropped as a matter of course upon his speech alone. they will come for this frenzied calling. General Grant will not That's the way we treat such folk here out of politics. We neither
probably wait for their arrival, ridicule nor condemn them ; we just quietly drop them. This trait
y compliented the more at variance with the fact. I saw the city thoroughly than usual, there was nothing, absolutely nothing, either in the people or the place which differed from their ordinary business- like "go ahead" aspect. I have seen again and again this carnival comparison, or others like it, used by British writers in reference to us, evidently with the loose and perhaps not really ill-natured purpose of writing something striking about the Yankees—with the result, however, of producing an opinion abroad that we are a singularly extravagant, excitable, and demonstrative people, than which no notion of us could be more incorrect. I can remember New York for more than twenty years, and I go much about it daily, and never did I see anything like carnival conduct. On great occasions there are great throngs, but they are always rather sober than joyous in their bearing. A carnival! Why, we can't get up a procession or open a great exhibition in a style that would not make a Frenchman or an Italian smile with pity, and think it like a shabby funeral ; for we take our public pleasures moult tristement," as our forefathers did 400 years ago. But though not excitable, we are sensitive and anxious, as the experience of the past week, to which I have above referred, shows. Our circumstances make us as a people more apprehensive, more "troubled with thick coming fancies' than we should have been if we had remained in the old home. This is largely due to the wide diffusion of intelligence and education among us, as well as to the fact in great emergencies every man here feels a direct interest in, and a responsibility for, public affairs. A people elevated is a people sobered. To create in men the needs of an advanced civilization, without the stability given by fixed social status and large accumulated wealth, is to make them eager, and anxious, and sensitive about their affairs, public as well as private. And so we Americans" live our stirring and uncertain life, with confidence disturbed and apprehension quickened by brooding upon those noble cares that are born of
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