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。Carnegiethefounder
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。AmericanversusChineseCivilizationContinued
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。
LordBeaconsfieldthenMr。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。