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these gifted fellow…beings bring into our lives is （closing our
eyes to minor imperfections） to warmly applaud them as they move
upward； along their stony path。
CHAPTER 8 … Slouch
I SHOULD like to see； in every school…room of our growing country；
in every business office； at the railway stations； and on street
corners； large placards placed with 〃Do not slouch〃 printed thereon
in distinct and imposing characters。 If ever there was a tendency
that needed nipping in the bud （I fear the bud is fast becoming a
full…blown flower）； it is this discouraging national failing。
Each year when I return from my spring wanderings； among the
benighted and effete nations of the Old World； on whom the
untravelled American looks down from the height of his superiority；
I am struck anew by the contrast between the trim； well…groomed
officials left behind on one side of the ocean and the happy…go…
lucky； slouching individuals I find on the other。
As I ride up town this unpleasant impression deepens。 In the
〃little Mother Isle〃 I have just left； bus…drivers have quite a
coaching air； with hat and coat of knowing form。 They sport
flowers in their button…holes and salute other bus…drivers； when
they meet； with a twist of whip and elbow refreshingly correct；
showing that they take pride in their calling； and have been at
some pains to turn themselves out as smart in appearance as
finances would allow。
Here； on the contrary； the stage and cab drivers I meet seem to be
under a blight； and to have lost all interest in life。 They lounge
on the box； their legs straggling aimlessly； one hand holding the
reins； the other hanging dejectedly by the side。 Yet there is
little doubt that these heartbroken citizens are earning double
what their London CONFRERES gain。 The shadow of the national
peculiarity is over them。
When I get to my rooms； the elevator boy is reclining in the lift；
and hardly raises his eye…lids as he languidly manoeuvres the rope。
I have seen that boy now for months； but never when his boots and
clothes were brushed or when his cravat was not riding proudly
above his collar。 On occasions I have offered him pins； which he
took wearily； doubtless because it was less trouble than to refuse。
The next day； however； his cravat again rode triumphant； mocking my
efforts to keep it in its place。 His hair； too； has been a cause
of wonder to me。 How does he manage to have it always so long and
so unkempt？ More than once； when expecting callers； I have bribed
him to have it cut； but it seemed to grow in the night； back to its
poetic profusion。
In what does this noble disregard for appearances which
characterizes American men originate？ Our climate； as some
suggest； or discouragement at not all being millionaires？ It more
likely comes from an absence with us of the military training that
abroad goes so far toward licking young men into shape。
I shall never forget the surprise on the face of a French statesman
to whom I once expressed my sympathy for his country； laboring
under the burden of so vast a standing army。 He answered：
〃The financial burden is doubtless great； but you have others。
Witness your pension expenditures。 With us the money drawn from
the people is used in such a way as to be of inestimable value to
them。 We take the young hobbledehoy farm…hand or mechanic；
ignorant； mannerless； uncleanly as he may be； and turn him out at
the end of three years with his regiment； self…respecting and well…
mannered； with habits of cleanliness and obedience； having acquired
a bearing； and a love of order that will cling to and serve him all
his life。 We do not go so far；〃 he added； 〃as our English
neighbors in drilling men into superb manikins of 'form' and
carriage。 Our authorities do not consider it necessary。 But we
reclaim youths from the slovenliness of their native village or
workshop and make them tidy and mannerly citizens。〃
These remarks came to mind the other day as I watched a group of
New England youths lounging on the steps of the village store； or
sitting in rows on a neighboring fence； until I longed to try if
even a judicial arrangement of tacks； 'business…end up；' on these
favorite seats would infuse any energy into their movements。 I
came to the conclusion that my French acquaintance was right； for
the only trim…looking men to be seen； were either veterans of our
war or youths belonging to the local militia。 And nowhere does one
see finer specimens of humanity than West Point and Annapolis turn
out。
If any one doubts what kind of men slouching youths develop into；
let him look when he travels； at the dejected appearance of the
farmhouses throughout our land。 Surely our rural populations are
not so much poorer than those of other countries。 Yet when one
compares the dreary homes of even our well…to…do farmers with the
smiling； well…kept hamlets seen in England or on the Continent；
such would seem to be the case。
If ours were an old and bankrupt nation； this air of discouragement
and decay could not be greater。 Outside of the big cities one
looks in vain for some sign of American dash and enterprise in the
appearance of our men and their homes。
During a journey of over four thousand miles； made last spring as
the guest of a gentleman who knows our country thoroughly； I was
impressed most painfully with this abject air。 Never in all those
days did we see a fruit…tree trained on some sunny southern wall； a
smiling flower…garden or carefully clipped hedge。 My host told me
that hardly the necessary vegetables are grown； the inhabitants of
the West and South preferring canned food。 It is less trouble！
If you wish to form an idea of the extent to which slouch prevails
in our country； try to start a 〃village improvement society；〃 and
experience； as others have done； the apathy and ill…will of the
inhabitants when you go about among them and strive to summon some
of their local pride to your aid。
In the town near which I pass my summers； a large stone； fallen
from a passing dray； lay for days in the middle of the principal
street； until I paid some boys to remove it。 No one cared； and the
dull…eyed inhabitants would doubtless be looking at it still but
for my impatience。
One would imagine the villagers were all on the point of moving
away （and they generally are； if they can sell their land）； so
little interest do they show in your plans。 Like all people who
have fallen into bad habits； they have grown to love their
slatternly ways and cling to them； resenting furiously any attempt
to shake them up to energy and reform。
The farmer has not； however； a monopoly。 Slouch seems ubiquitous。
Our railway and steam…boat systems have tried in vain to combat it；
and supplied their employees with a livery （I beg the free and
indep