Under the Queen; or, present day life in England

Front matter

Under the Queen ; OR, PRESENT DAY LIFE IN ENGLAND. BV HENRY TUCKLEY, AUTHOR OF "Forward March" and "Life's Golden Morning." Speak of lue as I am; nothing extenuate, Nor set down aught in malice. — The Bakd of Avon. CINCINNATI : CRANSTON & STOWE. NEW YORK: HUNT & EATON. 1S91. Copyright By CRANSTON & STOWE, 1891. DEDICATION. X^TtHE AUTHOR takes pleasure in dedicating this vol- — 71 time, as a token of affectionate esteem and in grateful acknowledgment of numerous favors, one of the latter of which was thoughtfully bcstoived while the book was in preparation, to his dear and good friend, A, CHARLES A. REESER, a gentleman whom he holds lo be specially fitted to sit in judgment upon English life from the fact that he undera gentleman whom he holds to be specially fitted to sit in judgment upon English life from the fact that he under stands and appreciates so fully all that is admirable in .American life — a soldier-citizen of our favored Republic, whose broad sympathy for humanity and deep interest in moral reforms make it certain that he will rejoice in the record of progress the English arc achieving, and equally certain that he will look with charity, as the author has striven to do, and as he ventures to think .Americans generally should do, upon the faults and shortcomings of thai noble people.

Introduction

. WITH all her stately buildings, her wealth of history, her stores of learning, her treasures of art, and her many localities of world-wide beauty and renown, there is still nothing in Old England so deeply interestingto the American public as her peo ple. Not only are the English of the same race with ourselves, but they are of the same blood to a large extent ; and are moving, under the same aspirations, along similar lines of national and individual develop ment. And yet they exist under different conditions ; they have a different form of government; they are controlled by different tastes and habits from our own ; and, in fact, while they resemble Americans in perhaps all the great essentials, they are in many other respects as really foreign to them as are the nations of Continental Europe.

Naturally, therefore, they are objects of per ennial and ever-increasing interest to us. We are en amored with them — not so much with their country as with themselves; the questions we most frequently ask being, not, What is their history ? but, How do they live ? — not, What can they show us that is ancient or wonderful in their possessions or achievements? so much as, What can they reveal to us, that we have not yet seen, of their own every-day and commonplace life ? Introduction. Under the influence of these feelings has this vol ume been produced. It is in no sense a record of travel, nor a book which deals in any serious manner with social problems. Those who scan these pages for studied descriptions of English scenery, will scan them in vain ; as also will those who may think to find in the book any long-drawn dissertations, or any strained effort at moralizing.

The things, however, which the reader will find in these pages, if the author has not entirely missed his aim, are facts — facts about the daily life us the English people ; facts of paramount interest con cerning some of the laws and institutions under which the people of England are working out the problem ut' existence ; facts about English country life, and facts in reference to London life ; indeed, the essential facts respecting life in John Bull's domain in all its varied forms and phases ; such facts as every American ought to know, and such facts as it has seemed to the author every intelligent American must be anxious to know. As a matter of course, our first obligation has been to readers on this side the Atlantic. We have felt that, whoever might be hurt by what was written, or whoever might be helped and pleased by it, we could do no other than tell the truth with reference to the subject under treatment, and the whole truth.

At the same time, we have not been unmindful that, iu attempting a por trayal of English life, we owed something to the people of England. To have offered, under the guise of a friendly description, a mere caricature of English cus- Introduction. toms, would have been a deliberate and shameful in justice. This we have avoided, our aim throughout having been to do nothing more than "hold the mirror up to nature;" or, as our motto puts it, to portray the English precisely as they are, and, in doing this, to "nothing extenuate, uor set down aught in malice." We have not concealed the weaknesses of our British kindred; neither have we hesitated to give them full credit for whatever in their conduct and habits we have found to be commendable. We have contrasted them often with ourselves, and often has the contrast been to their decided disadvantage ; but so likewise, on the other hand, have we repeatedly touched upon matters in which the English unquestionably excel the Ameri cans ; nor have we failed, in such cases, to admonish Brother Jonathan how wisely and well, in the matters concerned, he might take John Bull for an example of what his own conduct should be.

Thus we have striven to be just, at the same time that we have sought to be entertaining ; and if now, to a conscience void of of fense and to a heart that beats with a warm apprecia tion for everything that is good in English life, and for everything that is better — as nearly all things ought to be — in American life, the public shall but add the crown of a charitable acceptance of our little effort to please and instruct them, our recompense will be all that the most ambitious author could desire. HENRY TUCKLEY. CONTENTS.

Chapter I. Modes Op Speech

How the English speak their Language — English Habits of Speech contrasted with American — The Use of Slang — British Politeness — A Singular Sign— The Educated English Woman as a Conversationalist — The Letter " H " — Differences in Pronunciation— How they Arise — Old Acquaintances Under New Names— The Vocabulary of Trade — Terminology of Railway Travel — A New and Pleasing Experience for Americans — Strange Perversion of Honorable Titles — English "Gentlemen" in a Bad Fix — The Growl of an English Swell — How he was answered by a Witty American — An Englishman on American 'Squires— How Custom determines Propriety. Pages 21-29. CHATER II. SOME FAMILY MATTERS. "Hatchings, Hatchings, and Dispatchings " — English Laws and English Little Ones — The English Mother going to be "Churched" — A Prevalent Superstition — An English Christening Party— Something for Feminine Readers — How Funerals are conducted — Religious Exclusiveness in Burial Grounds — How Suicides are interred — Feasting at Funerals— An English Undertaker's Bill of Charges — Reform Tendencies in Mourning Customs— Women as Pall-bearers — English Marriage Laws — AVhat a License costs — Publishing the Bans— What happens when the "Bans" are forbidden — Disadvantages of Dissenters — The English Law of Divorce — Why Divorces are so Few.

Pages 30-40. 'J Contents. CHATTER III. VILLAGE LIFE. From City to Country in England — A Delightful Transformation — Interesting Agricultural Notes — The Typical English Work-horse — AVhat he costs — Value of Tillable Lands — Farm Laborers — AVhat They make and how They live — Cozy Dwellings of the Poor — The Vagaries of English Charity — A Remarkable Parish Clergyman — A Maternity Club — The Laborers' Bill of Fare — A Church Six Centuries Old — Ghastly Discoveries in a Village Grave-yard — Caste in Village Life — An English 'Squire who has profited by his Visit to the United States — The A'illage Court in Session — Proceedings which are Decidedly Un- American — About English Magistrates. . . . Pages 41-49.

CHAPTER I

\r. UNIVERSITY LIFE. AVhat One sees at Cambridge — A Town of Seventeen Colleges — Something which shocks the Visitor — Characteristic Street Scenes — Interesting Points about Examinations, Terms, Holidays, and Chapel Services — AAThat the Lectures cost — Minimum Outlay for a Year's Schooling — Instances of Extravagance and Dissipation — Heavy Losses at Cards — The Local Shylocks — The Nightmare of University Life — Proctors and their Bull-dogs — AA-holesome Regulations which are often disregarded — The University Bastile — Sports and Pastimes— The Passion for Boating — Comparison of Cambridge with Continental Universities— Origin of " Hobson's Choice." . . . . Pages 50-58.

CHAPTER V. JOHN- BULL AS

A FARMEK. Unique \riew of English Life — The AAreatlier and the Crops— Average Yield to the Acre— Preparing for Harvest—How the Farmer engages his Help— Drudgery light- Contents. 11 enecl by Merriment — The Horkey and Largess — English Harvests and English Beer — Plow Monday and its Fan tastic Pageant — The Englishman as a Feeder — Tastes in Dress — A Picturesque Scene — Happy Use of a Church Bell — Novel Customs iu which the AATomen take Part — ■ Boaz and Ruth recalled — Old-fashioned Methods of Har vesting — The Agricultural Laborers' Union — Much-needed Reforms Pages 59-67.

CHAPTER VI THE BLACK COUNTRY.

What a Bewildered Frenchman thought of this Region — Why it is called the "Black" Country — England's Coal and Iron Industries — Striking Indications of Progress — Happy Effect of Increased Educational Facilities — Marked Decline in Drunkenness and Brutality — Comparison of the Old Regime, and the New — Attitude of Employers toward the Drink Question — Beneficial Results of Recent Legislation — Social Life in the Black Country — Testimony from the Magistrates' Courts — AVages of Ironworkers and Others — Cost of Living — Conclusions as to the Lot of the Black Country AA'orkman. . . Pages 68-74.

CHAPTER VII. ENGLISH HOLIDAY CUSTOMS.

Some Things in which the English distance Americans — John Bull's Craze for Holiday-making — Some of his Numerous Breathing Spells — Possible Destiny of the British AVorkman — Suggestion from Herbert Spencer — Merry Christmas in Merry England — A Happy Conjunction — Happy Christmas Chimes and their Miserable Sequel — Carol singing and Other Time-honored Customs— John Bull as a Domestic Animal — One Secret of Britain's Greatness — Distressing Dilemma of an American — Goose Clubs — Boxing-day — Under the Mistletoe-bough — AVhat Dickens did for Christmas in England — Molly Dancers and Merry An- Contents. drews— Christmas Antics of the English "Small Boy" — Letting the New Year in — England's Glorious Fourth — How it differs from Our Own — Guy Fawkes Day — How it is observed Pages 75-88.

CHAPTER VIII. THE NATIONAL GAME.

Description of an English Cricket-field — The Appurtenances of a First-class Match — How the Ground is prepared- Technical Phraseology of the Game — AVeapons of Attack and Defense — How Runs are made — The Delicate Science of Bowling — How the Batsman shows his Skill — Fascinations and Dangers of the Game — How the " Fielders" are arranged — Royal Treatment of Successful Players — The Craze of Both Sexes — Female Cricketers — The Three Graces and Other Notables— Great Annual Contests — Cricket in the Arctic Regions — Cricket va. Base Ball. . . Pages 89-96. CHAPTER EX. WITH DOG AND GUN. Passion of the English for Hunting — A A'oracious People of Prey — Grouse-shooting on the Moors of Scotland — How the Sporting Fever affects Parliament — The Red-letter Days of Autumn — AA'hat it costs to carry a Gun in England — Recent Modification of the Game Laws — Partridge and Pheasant Shooting — Humane Observations of an English Sportsman — A Question for Americans — London Life in Contrast with English Country Life — How to enjoy English Field-sports to the Best Advantage — An Englishman's Country Seat — Captivating Manners of Well-bred English AA'omen— Stag and Fox Hunting. . . Pages 97-103.

CHAPTER X. ENGLISH DRINKING CUSTOMS.

King Alcohol's Sway in Britain— The Tragic Story of a Famous Painting— John Bull's Antipathy to Water — The Contents. 13 Wine-bottle in the Church Vestry— Customs which are the Growth of Centuries — Facts which should temper Con demnation with Charity— Seven Hundred Miles of Drink ing-saloons — The Country Inn and its Customers — Behind the Scenes in a City Tavern— Relation of Public Houses to Public Poverty — A Sickening Spectacle — The Drink habit amongst AVomen — American and English Women in Contrast — Progress of the Temperance Reform—En glish Bar-maids — England's Drink-bill for 1890 — Missionwork in London's Gin Palaces Pages 104-113.

CHAPTER XI. THE COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM.

Recent Progress in Educational Matters — England compared to other Nations— Existing Educational Laws -Past and Present in Contrast — Government Aid to Public Schools — How it is apportioned — Interesting Educational Statistics — The Conscience Clause — Blending of Religious Education with Secular — Some of the Results — The Compulsory Attendance Law and how it is enforced — School Fees — The Latest Advance — Startling Discoveries in a London School District — Dining the Young Idea — Qualifications and Pay of Teachers — Timely Criticisms — A Relic of the Squeers Regime — Indications of Continued Development — Decrease in Juvenile Criminals. Pages 114-126.

CHAPTER XII. THE ENGLISH RAILWAYS.

Statistics of Travel — Precautions against Accident— The Casualties of a Year — London as a Railway Center — AVork and Wages of Railway Men — The Poor Porter and his Tips — Railway Servants who turn Gray from Anxiety — Caste on the Cars— Rates of Fare— Instances of Rapid Running— Inconveniences of John Bull's Railway System — The Baggage Nuisance — England's Iron Horse under the Lash of English Law — Attitude of the Government Contents. toward Railways— The Sorrows of Stockholders—Parlia ment protecting the Public — How the Rights of Passen gers are guarded by the Courts — AATholesome Legal De cisions—An Opportunity for Scandal. . . . Pages 127-140.

CHAPTER XIII. PARLIAMENT AND THE FRANCHISE.

Interesting Facts Concerning the British House of Commons — How a Dissolution is effected — Non-resident Members—How Candidates are nominated — The Two Houses — How they are constituted and their Present Strength — Recent Reforms and their Results — Qualifications of AToters — Proportion of Voters to tlie Population — A Hoary Injustice corrected — Shameful Traffic in Parliamentary Suffrages — The New Laws against Bribery and Corruption — The Amount a Candidate may spend — Legitimate Expenses of an Election — Heavy Penalties for Treating — A Pleasant and Popular Fiction — The Queen's Speech — AA7ho composes it — Prerogatives of Royalty — Difference between Lords and Commons — John Bright on Dukes and Marquises— Methods of the Opposition — A Tilt between Churchill and Gladstone — Pen-picture of Gladstone as an Orator — Epochal Speech of England's Greatest Commoner Pages 141-155.

CHAPTER XIAT. ROYALTY AND THE PEERAGE. The Cost of a First-class Monarchy— Annual Stipend of the Queen -Payments to her Majesty's Children — Grand Total paid to Royalty in a Single Year — AVhat it costs to support the Aristocracy — The Fabulous Sums paid in Pensions and Gratuities — Aggregate Amount received bv a Few Leading Families — Salaries of Cabinet Ministers — Li'.'ht on the Land Question — Estates and Rent-rolls of English Peers — Shameful Inequalities in Taxation— Probable Changes— Popularity of Queen Victoria— Why she is so Contents. 15 Well Beloved— Who will Succeed her— The Prince of Wales aud his Family — How they appeared to an American — Monarchies in Contrast with Republics. • • Pages 150-104.

CHAPTER XV. THE POSTAL SERVICE AND ITS ADJUNCTS.

A Just Object of National Pride— AVhat it yields in Revenue — Rates of Postage — Advantages of the Postal Telegraph — Monopolies which benefit the People — The Poor Man's Bank — How the Government encourages Thrift — A New Departure in the Carrying Business — Distinguishing Characteristics of the Public Service of Great Britain — Promotions and Pensions — The Postal Conveniences of a Great City — A Good Place for Lovers — The Pay and AYork of a London Letter-carrier — A Commendable Christmas Custom — Postal AA'ork of a Single Year. Pages 165-170. CHAPTER XVr. ENGLISH NEWSPAPERS. How they differ from Our Own — Relative Importance of News and Opinions — Ponderous Editorial Productions — A Literary Monstrosity — Astonishing Neglect of Local Aflairs — A News Item that was Three Days Late — Enterprize in the Foreign Field — Something which disgusts Americans — A Question for American Capitalists — Signs of Improvement — Excellencies of the English Press — Editors who are Careful of their Facts — Distinguishing Traits of English Editorial Writers — Some Notable Deficiences — The Society Papers — English and American Newspapers compared as to their Moral Tone Pages 171-178.

CHAPTER XVII. JOHN BULL AS

A TAVERN-KEEPER. The English License System and the Revenue it yields— How Licenses are graded, w-hat they cost, and how their Cost is Contents. determined— The Power to grant and refuse Licenses— AVhere it resides and how it is exercised— The Brewster Sessions— AVhat is required of a AA'ould-be Publican— A Novel Use for Parish Churches— Hours of Opening and Closing— Public Houses and the Sabbath -The Penalty for selling after Hours— Police and Excise Regulations — Stringent Laws and Heavy Fines— How Licenses may be forfeited— Contingencies in which Saloons may be sum marily closed nut— British Publican's Respect for Law— A Cheering Thought for Temperance People. Pages 179-187.

CHAPTER XVIII. THE SALVATION ARMY.

The Salvation Army as it appears in England — Its Prominent Place in Public Notice— How this 1ms been gained and held — Present Strength of General Booth's Forces — How the Army conducts its Meetings - Whence its Recruits are drawn — How the Sinews of War are raised— A Glance at T/ie li'ur Cry — Peculiar Terminology of the Salvationists — New Names for Old Practices — Striking Testimonies from Noted Converts — Ringing Messages from the Seat of War — Commendable Adherence to Cardinal Principles — ■ Magnetic Personality of the Army's Great Commander — Impressive Manner of the General in Public Address — Interesting Personal History — The Turning Point of a Great Career Pages 18S-196.

CHAPTER XIX. LONDON BY GAS-LIGHT.

Interesting Street Scenes in the World's Metropolis — Rules of the Road in Verse — Characteristics of the London AA'omen — A National Weakness of the Sterner Sex — A Study in Street Manners— A Caution against rushing to Conclusions—The Flower Girl as she is— AVays of the London Cabmen — The Ubiquitous Omnibus— Wholesome Safeguards against Imposition— A Lesson for American Street- Contents. 17 car Conductors — Facts about the London Theaters—Lon don's Gilded Music-halls — A Crying Disgrace — London as a Modern Babylon — The London Gin-palaces — Fa miliar Street Characters— The Secret Traffic in Vileness — A Night in London— Some Sad Reflections — How this Dark Picture is relieved Pages 197-204.

CHAPTER XX. FROM THE STRAND TO THE SEVEN DIALS.

Strong Contrasts of English Life — Thoughts suggested by the "May Meetings" — Appalling AVickedness of Christian London — Exeter Flail — Inside and Outside View — A Light-house amid the Breakers — Sabbath Visit to the Seven Dials— A Sunday Morning Market — Repulsive Specimens of the Female Sex — Brutal Appearance of the Men — Loathsome Sanitary Conditions — AVhat occurs when the Church-bell strikes One— Grand Rush for the Drinking Dens — The Bright Side of a Dark Situation — Self-sacrificing Street Preachers — Angels of Compassion in Slums of Misery — London's Unceasing Battle with the Forces of Evil — How it goes Pages 205-212.

CHAPTER XXI.

London's other hale. England's Greatest Problem — Social and Commercial Conditions which tend to impoverish the British AVorkman — Honest Toil finding its Only Goal in the Alms-house — The AVorst Feature of English Pauperism — Starving Thousands in AVealthy London — Fierce Battles on the Debatable-ground of Pinching Want — Horrors which Christian Philanthopy has unveiled — A Peep into London's Reeking Tenements — Appalling Instances of Moral Degradation — AA'ork and AArages of the London Poor — A Heroine in Rags — Heart-rending Revelations, and yet the AVorst not told — Unimpeachable Testimony from Unprejudiced AVitnesses — What London gives Annually to Charity— London's Model Tenements. . . Pages 213-223. Contents.

CHAPTER XXII.

( HURCH AND STAGE IN LONDON. A Novel Philanthropic Agency — Theatrical People Off the Stage — Their Religious and Social Deprivations — Happy Idea of a Crystal Palace Clown — The Small Beginnings of a Useful Society — A Theatrical Letter Mission — Monthly Missives to Fifteen Hundred Actresses — How the Juveniles of the Profession are cared for — Theatrical Reading-rooms for Females— AVhat a Visitor saw there — Glowing Tribute of a Beneficiary — Efforts in Behalf of Ballet and Chorus Girls— An Erroneous Impression corrected — Girls who voluntarily give up the Stage— AVhy Some do not — English Girls in the United States— An Interesting Interview Pages 224-233.

CHAPTER XXIII.

"SO COLD AND SO CRUEL." Bitter Cry of the Lost in London — AVhat is being done to save these Unfortunates — Rescue AA'ork in London's Slums— AVhy London is so Cold and so Cruel— Recent Improvements in Britain's Criminal Code — Surprising Indifference of the Authorities — Three Great Reformatory Societies—Help for the Tempted and Betrayed — Efforts to reclaim AVomen by the Agency of AA-omen — How AVouldbe Suicides are saved— The Midnight-meeting Movement — Memorable Gatherings in Leicester Square and Regent Street — Rescue AA'u.k on the London Thoroughfares—How it is done— Scenes in a Midnight Mission-room — AVorkers in this Good Cause Pages 234-243. CHAPTER XXIAr. A METROPOLITAN SABBATH. Contrast between London and Paris— The National Taste for Sabbath Keeping— Sunday's Schedule for London's Saloons—Pleasing Possibilities of the Near Future— London Contents. 19 contrasted with American Cities— Sabbath Aspect of the London Stores — Sunday in the London Parks — Distinctive Badges of Sunday Promenaders— The AA'ornen One meets — London's Corps of Street Preachers— John Bull's Passion for Banter — Paid back in his Own Coin— The People's Forums— A Fair Deceiver— Sabbath Aspect of the London Streets— The Change which Night brings— London's Lead ing Pulpit Attractions— Number and Relative Strength of the English Churches Pages 241-252.

CHAPTER XXV. WESTMINSTER ABBEY.

Memorable Service iu a Venerable Temple — AVhat One sees in Poets' Corner — Singular Sensations — A New Light on Longfellow — The Ancient Shekinah recalled — England's Glory and England's Shame — Prosy Character of AVestminster Abbey Discourses — A Notable Exception — A Packed Audience held Spell-bound by an Eloquent Divine — Archdeacon Farrar on "Darkest England" — General Booth's Scheme of Social Amelioration — Ringing Indorsement from a Notable Source — More about London's Other Half — Thrilling Answer to a Timely Question — England summoned to a Great Duty — The Privilege of a Life time Pages 253-261.

CHAPTER XXVI.

London's leading preacher. A Visit to Spurgeon — His Early Popularity — Insignificant Beginnings of a Great Career — The Boy Preacher — From Village to City — A Deserted Church crowded with AVorshipers — Sad Episode iu Spurgeon's Early Ministry — The Metropolitan Tabernacle — How to get in — Spurgeon's Sabbath-school — Facts Concerning his Great Audiences — Extraordinary Singing — Pen-picture of the Great Preacher — His Personal Appearance — Analysis of his Style in Public Address — The Secret of his Power — Is Spurgeon Elo- Contents. quent? — Spurgeon contrasted with Talmage and Parker— A Memorable Occasion, and how Spurgeon improved it — A Preacher who entertains while he instructs, Pages 262-271.

CHAPTER XX

\TII. HEARING SPURGEON. The Great Difference between hearing Spurgeon and reading after him — How this is accounted for — The Great Preacher as he is — Peculiar Pulpit Habits — Spicy Comments on the Scriptural Lesson — AVhy a Certain Countryman liked Sunday— A Discourse with Thorns in it — A Thrust at the New Theology — One of Spurgeon's Foibles — ■ A Fling at the Established Church— Self-made Men who worship their Maker — AVhat Spurgeon thinks of this Class — Racy References to Science and Art — Turning the Laugh on Clerical Hobbyists — New Use of an Old Story — Sharp Criticism of Preachers who pride themselves on their "Liberalism" — Spurgeon's Opinion of the Church's Greatest Need — Pathetic Climax of a Memorable Discourse Pages 272-27S.

CHAPTER I. MODES OF SPEECH.

AN interesting volume could be written for American readers upon the way in which the English people speak the English language. In a single chap ter the subject can only be introduced. Let us first record the observations along this line which have afforded us pleasure. Naturally we have compared En glish habits of speech with those in vogue amongst ourselves, and candor compels us to say that the En glish have not always been the sufferers by this com parison. That which strikes us very favorably is that, comparatively speaking, there should be so little slang used in England; the fact being that in the ordinary conversation of those belonging to the respectable middle-class in that country, you hear scarcely any slang. They excel us, too, in the apt use of phrases which indicate politeness.

If the lady with whom you are conversing happens not to hear distinctly some re mark you have made, she does not ask bluntly, "What was that you said?" nor does she go through the awkward form of explaining that she didn't catch your meaning ; she interrogates you with a pleasant "Beg pardon, sir?" so naturally and charmingly ut tered, in most cases, that you almost feel like making yourself unintelligible a second time just for the pleas ure of hearing her sayit again. Another "sign of politeness" is seen everywhere in public exhibitions in that country ; for the ubiquitous placard never says, "Hands off;" the request is always, "Please do not touch." Polite phrases like these, it must be admit ted, are not unknown in the United States. In some sections they are common ; but in England such phrases are in vogue universally.

In fact, the polite ness of the people of that land makes itself evident in this and in other pleasing ways in all your intercourse with them, whether in social life or in the walks of business. Very favorably does this trait impress one when out shopping. Those who wait upon you act and speak as though the service they were rendering was a pleasure rather than a condescension ; nor does their polite speech seem to be measured by the amount of your purchase ; for, often, in buying the most trivial articles, has so much attention been shown, that we have really regretted we could not patronize the es tablishment more extensively. The placard we saw in a window in one of the provincial towns, announcing that "a large stock of new goods and civility was Modes of Speech. 23 always on hand," seems, as regards the latter article, to express the simple truth with reference to nearly all such places both in the provinces and the metropolis.

It must be said, furthermore, that the English people speak the language in better tones than we. Their voices are fuller, better modulated and more musical. Of the feminine voice this is particularly true. The educated English woman is a charming conversation alist — charming not simply in what she says, but in the way she says it. In this respect our English sisters possess advantages over American women which go very far toward counterbalancing the superiority of the latter in point of good looks. In regard to the use or abuse of the letter " h," the lower classes, and many' iu the middle class, transgress most abominably. This charge, however, can not be laid against the educated and refined. It is seldom one hears the aspirate misplaced by reputable public speakers, either in the pulpit or on the platform.

But the English, while they are freer than ourselves from slang, are much more addicted than we are to "provincialisms," and it must also be said that the male section of both the upper and lower classes are terrific swearers. The ' ' upper-ten " let off the steam by the use of comparatively harmless expletives of the Dundreary type, but the "riffraff" of the towns and cities 6toop to depths of profanity that are simply awful. The great difference between the English and American pronunciation of words is in the broader sound given by the former to the letter a. We observe, too, that many words of three syllables, which cultivated American speakers accent on the second syllable, are pronounced there with the accent on the first — consummate and demonstrate, for instance. They still spell wagon over there w-ith two g's, and traveler with two l's, and they also jealously retain the u in such words as labor, honor, candor, etc.

Some words are given an arbitrary pronunciation without regard to rhyme or reason. Lieutenant is always called " lefftenant," and of course our rendering of the word is as ridiculous to them as theirs is to us. Very arbitrary, and very peculiar too, is the English pronunciation of some names which are familiar to us. Everybody knows that Thames is Terns, but all may not be aware that Bulwer is Buller, nor that Cowper is Cooper. To give a few more instances, Wemyss is pronounced Weems, Knollys on English lips becomes the common Knowles, and Cockburn is refined into Coburn. Hawarden, linked immortally with the name of Gladstone, is shortened into Harden, and Beauchamp is called Beecham. Marylebone, a populous district of London, is pronounced as though it were Marrabun ; the out landish Abergavenny is rendered manageable by being called Abergenny, and the pompous Majoribanks is reduced to a simple Marchbanks.