"THOSE DELIGHTFUL AMERICANS."

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 287, 5 December 1907, Page 6

"THOSE DELIGHTFUL AMERICANS."

If you want to know anything about London, ask an American, particularly an American woman, says a writer in the Argus, .in . a brightly-written article on Americans in London. The article is really a dissertation on the American woman. She is described as always looking neat and important, as being contemptuous cf the Englishwoman and her ways, but as having a passion for England, and as' breaking in en the flow.of boardinghousc platitudes with alert bright remarks that givo a refreshing shock. Tho colonial is drawn to her by her eagerness for information. She knows — and so does the American man—far more about the colonies than the average English person does, and she wants to know more. "They are a little hasy as to whether New Zealarcl belongs to the federation or not, but liaving been, informed, they don't forget. They want to know how Australia feels about the colour question, and if she finds protection pays. They want to know if the women s vote makes any appreciable difference, and if Australians prefer English \y American boots. They arc sympathetic about tho marvellous ignorant and the lack of interest felt by the average Englishman for nny land Ibut Km own."'"To an Englishman or a colonial Americans are much alik?, but to the eye of the American wr>man they are very distinct. Chicago women are distinguished. ,by their dress, tourists from Massachusetts by their walk, soulful Bostomans by theij expressions and their hair. With the Bostonian refinement is carried to an absurd desree. She talks of temperament "all day long, and regards the normal woman as an unpleasant creature whose character is not a subject for a refined Bostonian to understand. The Southern woman is the writer's favourite. In her company one forgets the harsh judgement one has passed •on her countrywomen. "She is warmhearted, generous, lor able, her wit is not pointed, but kindly and charming. She hns all the virtues of her nation, and few of their vices, and if maybe she is n:>t quite as neat in her dress as ike. woman of the North, she has a more truly elegant and graceful carriage, and her eyes are like the eyes of an Irish woman, while those of tha woman of the North are a trifle cold and calculating."