ENGLISH LIFE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 17, 19 December 1927, Page 7

ENGLISH LIFE

INFLUENCED BY AMERICA.

“HABIT OF SHOWING OFF.”

MR GILBERT CHESTERTON’S

OBJECTION.

(By Electric Telegraph —Copyright.) Received December 19, 9.25 a.mf LONDON, Dec. 18. Mr Gilbert K. Chesterton, the eminent writer, speaking at a dinner given by the Delphian Coteries, said that he violently objected to the Americanisation of England, the English habit of life, and appearance of the English village.

“The whole tone of existence has been altered entirely by commercial pressure from America,’' stated Mr Chesterton. “The English inn, the most glorious thing on earth, is becoming an,.American hotel. NOBODY IS STAYING IN IT. “The American habit of showing ofE wealth and insulting the poorer, but much more civilised, countries has an uncomfortable resemblance to the reputation of the early nineteenth oentury Englishman abroad. “The Kaiser’s army could not have more completely denationalised London. Even war’s invasion spares the common habits and life of a nation.

“It is amusing on Broadway to see idiotic electric 6igns .wriggling like dancing devils. But one can always say; ‘Please God, I shall soon be in England again.’ “If I had thought I should see the same red hot devils standing on their heads chewing gum in Piccadilly, I should have contemplated suicide. Yet this ghastly business is happening in London.—A. and N.Z. cable.