The International Monthly Magazine | Page 9

of which the spirit
willingly brooks no souvenirs of monastic repose. The old quaint quiet
town has now its railroad, and the shades of its heroes have departed.

TRAUGOTT BROMME ON THE UNITED STATES OF NORTH
AMERICA, TEXAS AND THE COLONIES.
We have at different times, by reviews or translations, endeavored to
give our readers some idea of what people think of us, in continental
Europe. But there are two sides to every thing--or there is an universal
dualism, as Emerson declares--which is perfectly true as to the method
which might be adopted in the execution of this self-imposed task. One
class of readers understand by the word people the beau monde, and
would have us invariably follow the school of the Countesses
Hahn-Hahn or Ladies Blessington or Milords Fitz-Flummery,
contented if we have but a fair name in society. Another and more
reasonable class would be satisfied to know the opinion of the literati,
or perhaps the poets, particularly when they do fit homage to our
"grand old woods," and to Niagara. Others regard with most respect a
plain literal account of our branches of industry--our railroads, factories,
and canals. They would have the country judged purely from a
mechanical or practical point of view--contenting themselves as to
other matters with the reflection. "Oh, sensible people care very little
about any thing else. If they know what we produce, and what our

resources are, they'll understand and respect us sufficiently."
Now the opinion of each of these classes has its weight, and though not
of the greatest ultimate importance, is always to be respected. If we
were questioned as to the views of which of them we yielded full
regard, we should candidly say, "to none." It is the general, universal
opinion, of a nation at large that we deem authoritative, and none other.
It is that popular opinion so readily yet often so falsely formed (at times
from trifles of almost incredible levity), and which when once fairly
developed, is well-nigh ineradicable. In a word, it is to the views of the
people.
We propose, as opportunity shall offer, to make our readers familiar
with the writings of all these different classes of travellers--and in the
present article, we shall make a few extracts from a work interesting, as
having probably contributed more than any other to a general
knowledge of the United States in Germany. It is the book which has
had the greatest currency among all classes, but particularly with the
lower order of readers and emigrants.
Before proceeding, however, to the work itself, it may be as well to
answer a question which has perhaps been suggested to the minds of a
certain class of readers. Of what great use, after all, is this nervous
regard as to the opinion of the world? Is not our character
established--are not our characteristics known, to the uttermost corners
of the earth? To which question we may answer, Not quite. In avoiding
that ridiculous sensitiveness which prompts so many Americans to feel
personally insulted by the weak remarks of every wandering ignoramus,
we would by no means fall into the opposite error of attaching no
importance whatever to the good opinion or the degree of
consciousness as to our existence entertained by the world at large.
Should any feel disposed to smile at such an expression, as "the
consciousness of our existence," we will take the liberty of citing a few
curious instances, for the authenticity of which we assume the entire
responsibility--instances which may perhaps astonish a few even of the
better informed. There are in many districts (not altogether provincial)
of Italy and France great numbers, who would not even in America be

classed as ignorant in regard to other matters, who have not the
remotest idea as to the nature or geography of our country. An instance
has come to our knowledge of an intelligent Hungarian who, by
intercourse with the world, had acquired a fluency in five languages,
and who inquired of an American gentleman if his country were not
situated somewhere in England. The late Mr. Cooper, when placing his
daughters at a celebrated seminary on the continent, found a great
curiosity had been created by the rumor that they were coming, some
supposing they were black, some that they were copper-colored, and all
unprepared to see American girls looking for all the world like the
young German ladies. We have heard of a similar instance in which an
English gentleman--a Cambridge graduate--inquired of an American
what was the current language of the United States. Lastly, we may cite
the case of an English author, well known to our own public, and
favorably mentioned not long since in these pages, who was under the
impression that owing to the great emigration from Germany, the