登陆注册
5264900000071

第71章 Chapter XVI. Europe(5)

In Bristol, England, both Mrs. Washington and I spoke at the Women's Liberal Club. I was also the principal speaker at the Commencement exercises of the Royal College for the Blind. These exercises were held in the Crystal Palace, and the presiding officer was the late Duke of Westminster, who was said to be, I believe, the richest man in England, if not in the world. The Duke, as well as his wife and their daughter, seemed to be pleased with what I said, and thanked me heartily. Through the kindness of Lady Aberdeen, my wife and I were enabled to go with a party of those who were attending the International Congress of Women, then in session in London, to see Queen Victoria, at Windsor Castle, where, afterward, we were all the guests of her Majesty at tea. In our party was Miss Susan B. Anthony, and I was deeply impressed with the fact that one did not often get an opportunity to see, during the same hour, two women so remarkable in different ways as Susan B. Anthony and Queen Victoria.

In the House of Commons, which we visited several times, we met Sir Henry M. Stanley. I talked with him about Africa and its relation to the American Negro, and after my interview with him I became more convinced than ever that there was no hope of the American Negro's improving his condition by emigrating to Africa.

On various occasions Mrs. Washington and I were the guests of Englishmen in their country homes, where, I think, one sees the Englishman at his best. In one thing, at least, I feel sure that the English are ahead of Americans, and that is, that they have learned how to get more out of life. The home life of the English seems to me to be about as perfect as anything can be. Everything moves like clockwork. I was impressed, too, with the deference that the servants show to their "masters" and "mistresses,"--terms which I suppose would not be tolerated in America. The English servant expects, as a rule, to be nothing but a servant, and so he perfects himself in the art to a degree that no class of servants in America has yet reached. In our country the servant expects to become, in a few years, a "master" himself. Which system is preferable? I will not venture an answer.

Another thing that impressed itself upon me throughout England was the high regard that all classes have for law and order, and the ease and thoroughness with which everything is done. The Englishmen, I found, took plenty of time for eating, as for everything else. I am not sure if, in the long run, they do not accomplish as much or more than rushing, nervous Americans do.

My visit to England gave me a higher regard for the nobility than I had had. I had no idea that they were so generally loved and respected by the classes, nor that I any correct conception of how much time and money they spent in works of philanthropy, and how much real heart they put into this work. My impression had been that they merely spent money freely and had a "good time."

It was hard for me to get accustomed to speaking to English audiences. The average Englishman is so serious, and is so tremendously in earnest about everything, that when I told a story that would have made an American audience roar with laughter, the Englishmen simply looked me straight in the face without even cracking a smile.

When the Englishman takes you into his heart and friendship, he binds you there as with cords of steel, and I do not believe that there are many other friendships that are so lasting or so satisfactory. Perhaps I can illustrate this point in no better way than by relating the following incident. Mrs. Washington and I were invited to attend a reception given by the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland, at Stafford House--said to be the finest house in London; I may add that I believe the Duchess of Sutherland is said to be the most beautiful woman in England.

There must have been at least three hundred persons at this reception. Twice during the evening the Duchess sought us out for a conversation, and she asked me to write her when we got home, and tell her more about the work at Tuskegee. This I did. When Christmas came we were surprised and delighted to receive her photograph with her autograph on it. The correspondence has continued, and we now feel that in the Duchess of Sutherland we have one of our warmest friends.

同类推荐
  • A Gentleman of France

    A Gentleman of France

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 明伦汇编官常典宗人府部

    明伦汇编官常典宗人府部

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 秋日题窦员外崇德里

    秋日题窦员外崇德里

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 隐元禅师语录

    隐元禅师语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 房中曲

    房中曲

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 律师大人宠妻无罪

    律师大人宠妻无罪

    “堂姐,难道你就不想知道你父亲入狱的那一天,在你最需要他的时候,他在哪里吗?”“那天,他正在和我寻欢zuo爱,这也是我们第一次真正在一起。”一场在她眼中完美的爱情,却因为男友的背叛,惨淡收场。她花了三年的时间,用尽全部力气,最终却只换来他的决绝转身。她的心已经疲惫,不敢再轻易爱上任何人,如今,她只想让家人放心,找一个和自己想法一样的男人结婚,平淡的过这一生。宁睿宸,洛城最年轻最多金最神秘的男人,市长身边的首席律师,宁氏集团第一继承人,也是洛城年轻女子心目中梦寐以求的结婚对象。这个突然屡屡出现在她生命中的男人主动请缨,愿意接下这个沉重的责任,却不曾想,竟然遭到她的拒绝。“宁先生,我觉得我们不合适。”“为何?”“你太优秀,太招眼,我怕我会对你动不该动的心思。”某女诚实的说道。“苏小姐,嗯…其实我有件事一直没有告诉你。”“嗯?”“其实…我是gay。”男人垂下眼脸,痛苦的说道,眼里却闪过一丝不易察觉的精光。【秒杀渣男篇】“宁公子,我如今十分佩服您的勇气,竟然敢娶这么一个无权无势名声还很差的女人,你就不怕你的名声因她而被拖累,你的骄傲因她而被践踏,你的事业因她而举步维艰么?”前男友恶毒的说道,看着这两手紧握的俩人,他突然觉得无比刺眼。他温柔的揉了揉她软软的发丝,眼里尽是满满的宠溺,“如果连自己的女人都保护不了,名声骄傲事业这些东西要了又有何用?更何况,在我的眼里,她是世界上最好也是最适合我的女人。”“还有,沈公子,我要借此机会表达我对你的钦佩之意,面对这么一个毫无素质品格下贱节操无下限且充当公共厕所的女人,你竟然能够将她娶回家,每天在她摊开也不过两平方米的身子上挥汗如雨且不嫌有其他无数男人也用过而觉得脏,真是勇气可嘉。”【腹黑耍赖篇】结婚那夜,某女看着躺在床一侧,特意留出一部分的男人,皱眉道,“宁先生,你家…”“是我们家。”某男眼皮也不抬的纠正道。“嗯,我们家沙发在哪里?”“时间太紧,没有准备,就先睡这吧。”“那我的漱口杯呢?”“没有准备,先用我的吧。”“那…我带过来的睡衣呢?”“邻居家小女孩很喜欢,我送给她了,岳母大人准备了一套,你就先穿那件吧”“…”那能穿吗?简直比丝袜还要透!
  • 极品女神赖上我

    极品女神赖上我

    那些年,他从社会底层,一步一步奋斗,走上巅峰……
  • 运筹帷幄的谋略家(3)(世界名人成长历程)

    运筹帷幄的谋略家(3)(世界名人成长历程)

    《世界名人成长历程——运筹帷幄的谋略家(3)》本书分为所罗门、管仲、范蠡等部分。
  • 丑女逆袭记

    丑女逆袭记

    一个平平凡凡的上班族,偶遇美男子商业间谍,十分女汉子的她抽总裁,追总监,欺帅徒,无奈,有了个帅徒弟,美男为她疯狂,为她温柔,可她,只是个平凡的丑女。【除了总裁,还加入了都市元素,男闺蜜元素,逆势元素】
  • 绝地出壳

    绝地出壳

    一代人的年月!一代人的挣扎!一代人的活法!一代人的流岁!子林一个出生于西部农村的孩子,如愿考上了大学,实现了自己第一梦想,生活在城市。既无社会关系,又无经济基础和依靠的他,付出了好几倍于出生在城市同龄人的努力,完全靠自己双手实现着买房、抚养老人和照顾兄弟姐妹和职位升迁等一个一个的愿望,期间的辛酸和无奈,可想而知。最后,子林得到了成功,完成了自己的愿望,真正从农村出壳,落地到城市,过上了幸福的生活。
  • 马云,活着就是成功

    马云,活着就是成功

    “互联网+”时代,创业成为越来越多年轻人的选择。如何抓住时代赋予的机会?创业之后如何让企业生存下去,发展起来?成为越来越多创业者必须面对的问题。抓不住机会,留不住人才,执行力跟不上创意,赚钱越来越难……成了创业者难以演说的痛。本书分为创业、用人、经营、管理四个部分,用马云的话和他的亲身经历,帮助读者开启创业之门,点拨创业者建设团队,形成自己的经营思路,成为优秀的企业家。
  • 棣秋馆戊戌日记

    棣秋馆戊戌日记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • In Defence of Harriet Shelley

    In Defence of Harriet Shelley

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 为爱绸缪:胜者为王

    为爱绸缪:胜者为王

    第一次见面,她望见他的第一眼简直惊为天人!她大声呼救,却只见他眼里满满的厌恶,这女人有点烦!她被刺客扔到他面前,他一把接过狠狠往台子上一摔,她屁股疼了好几天!从此,他们的仇就结下了。第二次见面,他一身白衣,踏马而来,她居然还是被他的美貌所惑。帅!是真的帅!单美貌来说,她真的把持不住。所以被他一路拖行她还是愿意的,嘻嘻……她这人没什么优点,但非常的仗义,一路江湖行,她倒是结交了不少朋友,朋友有难她该帮则帮,不过她的能力明显不够,得找个帮忙的。嗯嗯,有他在完全没问题!一路历险,一路相知。他竟对她产生了别样情感,这个可让她为难了,她是来体验生活的,感情的事她还没有心理准备,要不拒绝吧!
  • 制药大亨

    制药大亨

    科学技术是第一生产力!你有病吗?我有药!我真的是药神!重生1984,且看昔日小混混,如何一步步改变世界生物制药产业格局,带领泱泱大国成为生物强国!从今后,成就科技第一,列国纷纷来贺,朝天阙!制药大亨书友群:418205749,欢迎大家加入!