第1章

LateChineseMinistertotheUnitedStatesofAmerica，Spain，Peru，MexicoandCuba；recentlyMinisterofForeignAffairsandMinisterofJusticefortheProvincialGovernmentoftheRepublicofChina，etc。

PrefaceOfallnationsintheworld，AmericaisthemostinterestingtotheChinese。

AhandfulofpeopleleftEnglandtoexplorethiscountry:

graduallytheirnumberincreased，and，incourseoftime，emigrantsfromotherlandsswelledthepopulation。Theyweregovernedbyofficialsfromthehomeofthefirstsettlers，butwhenitappearedtothemthattheywerebeingtreatedunjustly，theyrebelledanddeclaredwaragainsttheirrulers，thestrongestnationonthefaceoftheearth。

Aftersevenyearsofstrenuous，perilous，andbloodywarfare，duringwhichthousandsoflivesweresacrificedonbothsides，theyoungerraceshookofftheyokeoftheolder，andEnglandwascompelledtorecognizetheindependenceoftheAmericanStates。Sincethen，inthecomparativelyshortspaceofonehundredandthirtyyears，thoserevolutionistsandtheirdescendants，havenotonlymadethecommonwealththerichestintheworld，buthavefoundedanationwhosewordnowcarriesweightwithalltheothergreatpowers。

TheterritoryatfirstoccupiedwasnotlargerthanoneortwoprovincesofChina，butbypurchase，andinotherways，thecommonwealthhasgraduallygrowntillnowitextendsfromtheAtlantictothePacificOcean，fromthenorthwhereiceisperpetualtothesouthwherethesunisashotasinequatorialSingapore。

Thisyoungrepublichasalreadyproducedmanymenandwomenwhoaredistinguishedinthefieldsofliterature，science，artandinvention。

Therehostsofmen，whointheiryouthwereaspooraschurchmice，have，bydintofperseveranceandbusinesscapacity，becomemulti-millionaires。Thereyoumayseetherichestmanintheworldlivingasimpleandabstemiouslife，withoutpompandostentation，dailywalkinginthestreetsunattendedevenbyaservant。

Manyofthemhavesomuchmoneythattheydonotknowwhattodowithit。

Manyforeigncounts，dukes，andevenprinceshavebeencapturedbytheirwealthyandhandsomedaughters，someofwhomhavebornesonswhohavebecomehighofficersofstateinforeignlands。

Thereyoufindrichpeoplewhodevotetheirtimeandwealthtocharitableworks，sometimesendowinglibrariesnotonlyintheirownland，butallovertheworld；thereyouwillfindlynchingtolerated，orimpossibleofprevention；thereonemanmaykillanother，andbythewonderfulprocessoflawescapetheextremepenaltyofdeath；

thereyoumeetthepeoplewhoaremostfavorablydisposedtowardthemaintenanceofpeace，andwhoholdconferencesandconventionswiththatobjectinviewalmosteveryyear；thereanAmericanmulti-millionairedevotesagreatproportionofhistimetothepropagandaofpeace，andathisownexpensehasbuiltinaforeigncountryapalatialbuildingtobeusedasatribunalofpeace。*Yetthesepeoplehavewagedwaronbehalfofothernationalitieswhotheythoughtwerebeingunjustlytreatedandwhenvictorioustheyhavenotheldontothefruitsoftheirvictorywithoutpayingareasonableprice。**Theretheinhabitantsare，asarule，extremelypatriotic，andinarecentforeignwarmanygaveuptheirbusinessesandprofessionsandvolunteeredforserviceinthearmy；

oneofherrichestsonsenlistedandequippedawholeregimentathisownexpense，andtookcommandofit。Inthatcountryallthecitizensareheirsapparenttothethrone，calledtheWhiteHouse。

Amanmaybecomethechiefrulerforafewyears，butafterleavingtheWhiteHouseherevertstoprivatecitizenship；ifheisalawyerhemaypractiseandappearbeforeajudge，whomheappointedwhilehewaspresident。Thereawomanmaybecomealawyerandpleadacasebeforeacourtofjusticeonbehalfofamaleclient；

therefreedomofspeechandcriticismareallowedtotheextremelimit，andpeopleareliabletobeannoyedbyslandersandlibelswithoutmuchchanceofobtainingsatisfaction；thereyouwillseewomenwearing\"MerryWidow\"hatswhoarenotwidowsbutspinsters，ormarriedwomenwhosehusbandsareverymuchalive，andthehatsinmanycasesareaslargeasthreefeetindiameter；***

thereyoumaytravelbyrailmostcomfortablyonpalacecars，andatnightyoumaysleeponPullmancars，tofindinthemorningthatayoungladyhasbeensleepingintheberthaboveyourbed。

Thepeoplearemostingeniousinthattheycanfloatacompanyandwaterthestockwithoutusingadropoffluid；therearebearsandbullsintheStockExchange，butyoudonotseetheseanimalsfight，althoughtheyroarandyellloudlyenough。Itiscertainlyamostextraordinarycountry。ThepeoplearewonderfulandaremostinterestingandinstructivetotheChinese——

*ThismagnificentbuildingatTheHague，whichisaptlycalledthePalaceofPeace，wasformallyopenedonthe28thofAugust，1913，inthepresenceofQueenWilhelmina，Mr。Carnegie(thefounder)

andalargeassemblyofforeignrepresentatives。

**IrefertotheSpanish-AmericanWar。HavecapturedthePhilippineIslands，theUnitedStatespaid$20，000，000，gold，forittotheSpanishGovernment。

***Thiswasseveralyearsago。Fashionschangeeveryyear。

Thepresenttypeisequallyludicrous——

Sucharaceshouldcertainlybeveryinterestingtostudy。

DuringmytwomissionstoAmericawhereIresidednearlyeightyears，repeatedrequestsweremadethatIshouldwritemyobservationsandimpressionsofAmerica。Ididnotfeeljustifiedindoingsoforseveralreasons:first，Icouldnotfindtimeforsuchataskamidstmyofficialduties；secondly，althoughIhadbeentravellingthroughmanysectionsofthecountry，andhadcomeincontactofficiallyandsociallywithmanyclassesofpeople，stilltheremightbesomefeaturesofthecountryandsometraitsofthepeoplewhichhadescapedmyattention；andthirdly，thoughIhadseenmuchinAmericatoarousemyadmiration，Ifeltthathereandthere，therewasroomforimprovement，andtobecompelledtocriticizepeoplewhohadbeengenerous，courteous，andkindwassomethingIdidnotwishtodo。

InanswertomyscruplesIwastoldthatIwasnotexpectedtowriteaboutAmericainapartialorunfairmanner，buttostateimpressionsofthelandjustasIhadfoundit。

Aladyfriend，forwhoseopinionIhavethehighestrespect，saidineffect，\"Wewantyoutowriteaboutourcountryandtospeakofourpeopleinanimpartialandcandidway；wedonotwantyoutobestowpraisewhereitisundeserved；andwhenyoufindanythingdeservingofcriticismorcondemnationyoushouldnothesitatetomentionit，forwelikeourfaultstobepointedoutthatwemayreform。\"

Iadmitthesoundnessofmyfriend\'sargument。Itshowsthebroad-mindednessandmagnanimityoftheAmericanpeople。InwritingthefollowingpagesIhaveuniformlyfollowedtheprincipleslaiddownbymyAmericanladyfriend。

Ihavenotscrupledtofranklyandfreelyexpressmyviews，butIhopenotinanycarpingspirit；andItrustAmericanreaderswillforgivemeiftheyfindsomeopinionstheycannotendorse。

Iassurethemtheywerenotformedhastilyorunkindly。

Indeed，IshouldnotbeasincerefriendwereItopicturetheircountryasaperfectparadise，orwereItoglossoverwhatseemtometobetheirdefects。

ContentsPrefaceChapter1。TheImportanceofNamesChapter2。AmericanProsperityChapter3。AmericanGovernmentChapter4。AmericaandChinaChapter5。AmericanEducationChapter6。AmericanBusinessMethodsChapter7。AmericanFreedomandEqualityChapter8。AmericanMannersChapter9。AmericanWomenChapter10。AmericanCostumesChapter11。AmericanversusChineseCivilizationChapter12。AmericanversusChineseCivilization(Continued)

Chapter13。Dinners，Banquets，Etc。

Chapter14。TheatersChapter15。OperaandMusicalEntertainmentsChapter16。ConjuringandCircusesChapter17。SportsAMERICA

ThroughtheSpectaclesofanOrientalDiplomatChapter1。TheImportanceofNames\"What\'sinaname？ThatwhichwecallaroseByanyothernamewouldsmellassweet。\"

Notwithstandingtheselines，Imaintainthattheselectionofnamesisimportant。Theyshouldalwaysbecarefullychosen。

Theyareapttoinfluencefriendshipsortoexciteprejudicesaccordingtotheirsignificance。WeChineseareveryparticularinthismatter。Whenasonisbornthefatherorthegrandfatherchoosesanamefortheinfantboywhich，accordingtohishoroscope，islikelytoinsurehimsuccess，oranameisselectedwhichindicatesthewishofthefamilyforthenew-bornchild。Hencesuchnamesas\"happiness\"，\"prosperity\"，\"longevity\"，\"success\"，andothers，withlikepropitiousimport，arecommoninChina。Withregardtogirlstheirnamesaregenerallyselectedfromflowers，fruits，ortrees。

Particularcareistakennottouseanamewhichhasabadmeaning。

InWashingtonIoncemetamaninanelevatorwhosenamewas\"Coffin\"。

WasItobeblamedforwonderingiftheelevatorwouldbemycoffin？

OnanotheroccasionImetamanwhosenamewas\"Death\"，andassoonasIheardhisnameIfeltinclinedtorunaway，forIdidnotwishtodie。Iamnotsuperstitious。

Ihavefrequentlytakendinnerwiththirteenpersonsatthetable，andIdonothesitatetostartonajourneyonaFriday。

IoftendothingswhichwouldnotbedonebysuperstitiouspersonsinChina。

Buttomeetamancallinghimself\"Coffin\"or\"Death\"wastoomuchforme，andwithallmydisbeliefinsuperstitionIcouldnothelpshowingsomerepugnancetothosewhoboresuchnames。

Equallyimportant，ifnotmoreso，istheselectionofanameforastateoranation。WhentheseveralstatesofAmericabecameindependenttheycalledthemselvesthe\"UnitedStatesofAmerica\"——

averyhappyidea。TheUnionwasoriginallycomposedofthirteenstates，coveringabout300，000squaremiles；itisnowcomposedofforty-eightstatesandthreeterritories，whichinareaamountto3，571，492squaremiles，practicallyaslargeinextentasChina，theoldestnationintheworld。

Itshouldbenotedthatthenameismostcomprehensive:itmightcomprisetheentirecontinentofNorthandSouthAmerica。Itissafetosaythatthefoundersofthenationdidnotchoosesuchanamewithoutconsideration，anddoubtlessthedesignation\"UnitedStatesofAmerica\"

concealsadeepmotive。IonceaskedagentlemanwhosaidhewasanAmericanwhetherhehadcomefromSouthorNorthAmerica，orwhetherhewasaMexican，aPeruvianoranativeofanyofthecountriesinCentralAmerica？

HerepliedwithemphasisthathewasanAmericancitizenoftheUnitedStates。

IsaiditmightbetheUnitedStatesofMexico，orArgentina，orotherUnitedStates，butheansweredthatwhenhecalledhimselfacitizenitcouldnotmeananyotherthanthatoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica。

IhaveaskedmanyotherAmericanssimilarquestionsandtheyallhavegivenmerepliesinthesameway。WeChinesecallournation\"TheMiddleKingdom\"；

itwassupposedtobeinthecenteroftheearth。IgivecredittothefoundersoftheUnitedStatesforabetterknowledgeofgeographythanthatpossessedbymycountrymenofancienttimesanddonotassumethatthenewlyformednationwassupposedtocomprisethewholecontinentofNorthandSouthAmerica，yetthenamechosenissocomprehensiveastoleadonenaturallytosuspectthatitwasintendedtoincludetheentirecontinent。However，frommyobservationoftheirnationalconduct，Ibelievetheirpurposewasjustandhumane；

itwastosetanobleexampletothesisternationsintheWesternHemisphere，andtoknitmorecloselyallthenationsonthatcontinentthroughthebondsofmutualjustice，goodwillandfriendship。

TheAmericannationis，indeed，itselfapleasinganduniqueexampleoftheprincipleofdemocracy。Itsgovernmentisideal，withaliberalconstitution，whichineffectdeclaresthatallmenarecreatedequal，andthatthegovernmentis\"ofthepeople，forthepeople，andbythepeople。\"Anyonewithordinaryintelligenceandwithopeneyes，whoshouldvisitanycity，townorvillageinAmerica，couldnotbutbeimpressedwiththeorderlyandunostentatiouswayinwhichitisgovernedbythelocalauthorities，orhelpbeingstruckbytheplainanddemocraticcharacterofthepeople。

Evenintheelementaryschools，democracyistaughtandpractised。

IremembervisitingapublicschoolforchildreninPhiladelphia，whichIshallneverforget。Therewereaboutthreeorfourhundredchildren，boysandgirls，betweensevenandfourteenyearsofage。

Theyelectedoneoftheirstudentsasmayor，anotherasjudge，anotheraspolicecommissioner，andinfacttheyelectedforthecontroloftheirschoolcommunityalmostalltheofficialswhousuallygovernacity。TherewereafewChinesechildrenamongthestudents，andoneofthemwaspointedouttomeasthepolicesuperintendent。

Thisnotonlyeloquentlyspokeofhispopularity，butshowedgoodwillandharmonyamongtheseveralhundredchildren，andtheentireabsenceofracefeeling。Theprincipalsandteacherstoldmethattheyhadnodifficultywhateverwiththestudents。

Ifoneofthemdidanythingwrong，whichwasnotoften，hewouldbetakenbythestudentpolicemanbeforethejudge，whowouldtrythecase，anddecideitonitsmerits，andpunishordischargehisfellowstudentasjusticedemanded。

Iwasassuredbytheschoolauthoritiesthatthissystemofself-governmentworkedadmirably；itnotonlyrelievedtheteachersoftheburdenofconstantlylookingaftertheseveralhundredpupils，buteachofthemfeltamoralresponsibilitytobehavewell，forthesakeofpreservingthepeaceandgoodnameoftheschool。

Thusearlyimbuedwiththeideaofself-government，andentrustedwiththeresponsibilitiesofitsadministration，thesechildrenwhengrownup，takeadeepinterestinfederalandmunicipalaffairs，and，whenelectedforoffice，invariablyperformtheirdutiesefficientlyandwithcredittothemselves。

ItcannotbedisputedthattheUnitedStateswithitsdemocraticsystemofgovernmenthasexercisedagreatinfluenceoverthestatesandnationsinCentralandSouthAmerica。ThefollowingdatashowingthedifferentnationsofAmerica，withthedatesatwhichtheyturnedtheirrespectivegovernmentsfromMonarchiesintoRepublics，allsubsequenttotheindependenceoftheUnitedStates，areverysignificant。

MexicobecameaRepublicin1823，Hondurasin1839，Salvadorin1839，Nicaraguain1821，CostaRicain1821，Panamain1903，Colombiain1819，Venezuelain1830，Ecuadorin1810，Brazilin1889，Peruin1821，Boliviain1825，Paraguayin1811，Chilein1810，Argentinain1824，andUruguayin1828。

TheseRepublicshavebeencloselymodelledupontherepublicanformofgovernmentoftheUnitedStates；thus，nearlyallthenationsorstatesonthecontinentofAmericahavebecomeRepublics。

CanadastillbelongstoGreatBritain。ThefairandgenerouspolicypursuedbytheImperialGovernmentofGreatBritainaccountsfortheCanadians\'satisfactionwiththeirpoliticalposition，andforthefactthattheydonotwishachange。Itmustbenoted，however，thatasectionoftheAmericanpeoplewouldliketoseeCanadaincorporatedwiththeUnitedStates。IrememberthatatapublicmeetingheldinWashington，atwhichSirWilfridLaurier，thenPremierofCanada，waspresent，aneminentjudgeoftheFederalSupremeCourtjocularlyexpressedawishthatCanadashouldbeannexedtotheUnitedStates。

Later，Mr。ChampClark，aleaderoftheDemocraticpartyintheHouseofRepresentatives，addressedtheHouseurgingtheannexationofCanada。Evenifthesestatementsarenottakenseriouslytheyatleastshowthefeelingsofsomepeople，andhewouldbeaboldmanwhowouldprophesythepoliticalstatusofCanadainthefuture。Thereis，however，nopresentindicationofanychangebeingdesiredbytheCanadians，anditmaybesafelypresumedthattheexistingconditionswillcontinueformanyyearstocome。

Thisisnottobewonderedat，forCanadathoughnominallyaBritishcolonypracticallyenjoysalmostalltheprivilegesofanindependentstate。

ShepossessesaconstitutionsimilartothatoftheUnitedKingdom，withaparliamentoftwohouses，calledthe\"Senate\"，andthe\"HouseofCommons\"。TheSovereignofGreatBritainappointsonlytheGovernorGeneralwhoactsinhisname，buttheDominionisgovernedbyaresponsibleMinistry，andalldomesticaffairsaremanagedbylocalofficials，withoutinterferencefromtheHomeGovernment。CanadiansenjoyasmanyrightsastheinhabitantsofEngland，withtheadditionaladvantagethattheydonothavetobeartheburdenofmaintaininganarmyandnavy。

Someyearsago，ifIrememberrightly，inconsequenceofsomeagitationordiscussionforindependence，thelateLordDerby，thenSecretaryofStatefortheColonies，statedthatiftheCanadiansreallywishedforindependence，theHomeGovernmentwouldnotoppose，butthattheyshouldconsideriftheywouldgainanythingbythechange，seeingthattheyalreadyhadself-government，enjoyedallthebenefitsofafreepeople，andthattheonlyrighttheHomeGovernmentreservedwastheappointmentoftheGovernor-General，althoughitassumedtheresponsibilityofprotectingeveryinchoftheirterritoryfromencroachment。

SincethissensibleadvicefromtheColonialSecretary，Ihaveheardnothingmoreoftheagitationforindependence。

Fromacommercialpointofview，andforthewelfareofthepeople，thereisnotmuchtochooseto-daybetweenaLimitedMonarchyandaRepublic。

Letus，forinstance，compareEnglandwiththeUnitedStates。

ThepeopleofEnglandareasfreeandindependentasthepeopleoftheUnitedStates，andthoughsubjects，theyenjoyasmuchfreedomasAmericans。Thereare，however，someadvantagesinfavorofaRepublic。

AmericansuntilrecentlypaidtheirPresidentasalaryofonly$50，000ayear；

itisnow$75，000withanadditionalallowanceof$25，000

fortravellingexpenses。ThisissmallindeedcomparedwiththeCivilListoftheKingorEmperorofanygreatnation。TherearemorechancesinaRepublicforambitiousmentodistinguishthemselves；forinstance，acitizencanbecomeapresident，andpracticallyassumethefunctionsofakingoranemperor。InfactthePresidentoftheUnitedStatesappointshisowncabinetofficials，ambassadors，ministers，etc。

Itisgenerallystatedthateverynewpresidenthastheprivilegeofmakingmorethantenthousandappointments。WithregardtotheadministrationandexecutivefunctionshehasinpracticemorepowerthanisusuallyexercisedbyakingoranemperorofaConstitutionalMonarchy。Ontheotherhand，insomematters，theexecutiveofaRepubliccannotdowhatakingoranemperorcando；

forexample，apresidentcannotdeclarewaragainstaforeignnationwithoutfirstobtainingtheconsentofCongress。Inamonarchicalgovernmentthekingorthecabinetofficialsassumeenormousresponsibilities。

LordBeaconsfield(thenMr。D\'Israeli)，whilehewasPrimeMinisterofEngland，purchasedin1875fromtheKhediveofEgypt176，602SuezCanalsharesforthesumof3，976，582Poundsonhisownresponsibility，andwithoutconsultingtheImperialParliament。

WhenParliamentorCongresshastobeconsultedabouteverything，greatnationalopportunitiestodosomeprofitablebusinessmustundoubtedlybesometimeslost。NosuchboldnationalinvestmentasthatmadebyLordBeaconsfieldcouldhavebeenundertakenbyanyAmericanpresidentonhisownresponsibility。Mr。Cleveland，whenpresidentoftheUnitedStates，saidthat\"thepublicaffairsoftheUnitedStatesaretransactedinaglasshouse。\"

Washington，inhisfarewelladdress，advisedhiscompatriotsthatonaccountofthedetachedanddistantsituationoftheircountrytheyshould，inextendingtheircommercialrelationswithforeignnations，haveaslittlepoliticalconnectionwiththemaspossible；

andheaskedthispertinentandpregnantquestion，\"Why，byinterweavingourdestinywiththatofanypartofEurope，entangleourpeaceandprosperityinthetoilsofEuropeanambition，rivalship，interest，humor，orcaprice？\"

In1823，twenty-sevenyearsafterWashington\'scelebratedaddress，PresidentMonroeinhisannualmessagetoCongresswarnedtheEuropeanPowersnottoplantanynewcoloniesonanyportionoftheAmericanhemisphere，asanyattemptontheirparttoextendtheirsysteminthatpartoftheworldwouldbeconsideredasdangeroustothepeaceandsafetyoftheUnitedStates。

This\"MonroeDoctrine\"，asithassincebeencalled，practicallyprotectseverystateandcountryontheAmericancontinentfromattackorinterferencebyanyforeignpower，anditcannotbedeniedthatithasbeenandisnowthechieffactorinpreservingtheintegrityofallthecountriesonthatcontinent。ThustheUnitedStatesisassumingtheroleofguardianovertheotherAmericannations。InthecityofWashingtonthereisanInternationalBureauoftheAmericanRepublics，inwhichalltheRepublicsofCentralandSouthAmericaarerepresented。

ItishousedinamagnificentpalacemadepossiblebythebeneficenceofMr。AndrewCarnegie，theAmericanmulti-millionaireandphilanthropist，andthecontributionsofthedifferentgovernments。Itcost750，000

golddollars，andMr。JohnBarrett，thecapableandpopulardirectoroftheBureau，haswellcalledit\"atempleoffriendshipandcommerceandameetingplacefortheAmericanRepublics。\"TheBureauissupportedbythejointcontributionsofthetwenty-oneAmericanRepublics，anditsaffairsarecontrolledbyagoverningboardcomposedoftheirdiplomaticrepresentativesinWashington，withtheAmericanSecretaryofStateaschairmanexofficio。

ThisinstitutionnodoubtstrengthensthepositionoftheUnitedStatesandiscalculatedtodrawtheAmericanRepublicsintocloserfriendship。

Chapter2。AmericanProsperityOneofthemaincausesoftheprosperityofthegreatAmericanRepublicisitsnaturalresources。Itpossessescoal，oil，silver，gold，copper，andalltheothermineralores。Natureseems，indeed，tohaveprovidedalmosteverythingthatmanneeds。Thesoilisrich；wheatandeverykindoffruitcanbegrown；butfavorableasarethesenativeconditionstheycouldnotbeturnedtoanygreatadvantagewithouttheskillandindustryofenterprisingmen。ManycountriesinAfricaandAsiapossessequaladvantages，buttheyarenotequallyprosperous。

ThisleadsmetotheconsiderationofanotherreasonforAmerica\'sgrowth。

ThemenwhohavemigratedtotheUnitedStateshavenotbeenrichpeople。

Theywenttheretomakealiving。Theywerepreparedtowork，theirpurposewastoimprovetheircondition，andtheywerewillingtoundertakeanymanualormentallabortoaccomplishtheirobject。

Theywerehardyandstrongandcouldbearaheavystrain。

Theirchildreninheritedtheirgoodqualities，andsoanAmericanisgenerallymorehardworkingandenterprisingthanmostofthepeopleinEuropeandelsewhere。

AnotherreasonforAmerica\'ssuccessisthegreatfreedomwhicheachcitizenenjoys。Everymanconsidershimselftheequalofeveryother，andayoungmanwhoisambitiouswillnotrestuntilhereachesthetopofhisprofessionortrade。ThousandsofAmericanswhowereonceverypoor，havebecomemillionairesormulti-millionaires。

Manyofthemhadnocollegeeducation，theytaughtthemselves，andsomeofthemhavebecomebothliteraryandscholarly。

Acollegeoruniversityeducationdoesnotnecessarilymakeamanlearned；

itonlygiveshimtheopportunitytolearn。Itissaidthatsomecollegemenhaveproventhemselvestobequiteignorant，orratherthattheydonotknowsomuchasthosewhohavebeenself-taught。

Idonotinanywaywishtodisparageacollegeeducation；

nodoubtmenwhohavebeentrainedinauniversitystartinlifewithbetterprospectsandwithagreaterchanceofsuccess，butthosemenwhohavenothadsuchadvantageshavedoubtlessdonemuchtomaketheircountrygreatandprosperous，andtheyoughttoberecognizedasgreatmen。

ThegeneraldesireoftheAmericanpeopletotravelabroadisoneoftheirgoodtraits。Peoplewhoneverleavetheirhomescannotknowmuch。Apersonmaybecomewell-informedbyreading，buthispracticalknowledgecannotbecomparedwiththatofapersonwhohastravelled。WeChinesearegreatsinnersinthisregard。

AChinesemaximsays，\"Itisdangeroustorideonhorsebackortogoonavoyage\":henceuntilveryrecentlywehadahorrorofgoingabroad。

Apersonwhoremainsallhislifeinhisowntownisgenerallynarrow-minded，self-opinioned，andselfish。TheAmericanpeoplearefreefromthesefaults。

Itisnotonlytherichandthewell-to-dowhovisitforeigncountries，buttradesmenandworkmenwhentheyhavesavedalittlemoneyalsooftencrosstheAtlantic。SomeyearsagoaSenatorinWashingtontoldmethathecrossedtheAtlanticOceaneverysummerandspentseveralmonthsinEurope，andthatthenexttripwouldbehistwenty-eighthvoyage。

Ifound，however，thathehadnevergonebeyondEurope。IventuredtosuggestthatheshouldextendhisnextannualjourneyalittlefartherandvisitJapan，China，andotherplacesintheFarEastwhichIfeltsurehewouldfindbothinterestingandinstructive。

IhavetravelledthroughmanycountriesinEuropeandSouthAmerica，andwhereverIhavegoneandatwhateverhotelIhaveputup，IhavealwaysfoundsomeAmericans，andonmanyoccasionsIhavemetfriendsandacquaintanceswhomIhadknowninWashingtonorNewYork。