m
since.

I like the Germans. B. says I ought not to let them know this, because
it will make them conceited; but I have no fear of such a result. I am
sure they possess too much common-sense for their heads to be turned by
praise, no matter from whom.

B. also says that I am displaying more energy than prudence in forming an
opinion of a people merely from a few weeks' travel amongst them. But my
experience is that first impressions are the most reliable.

At all events, in my case they are. I often arrive at quite sensible
ideas and judgments, on the spur of the moment. It is when I stop to
think that I become foolish.

Our first thoughts are the thoughts that are given to us; our second
thoughts are the thoughts that we make for ourselves. I prefer to trust
to the former.

The Germans are a big, square-shouldered, deep-chested race. They do not
talk much, but look as though they thought. Like all big things, they
are easy-going and good-tempered.

Anti-tobacconists, teetotallers, and such-like faddists, would fare badly
in Germany. A German has no anti-nature notions as to its being wicked
for him to enjoy his life, and still more criminal for him to let anybody
else enjoy theirs. He likes his huge pipe, and he likes his mug of beer,
and as these become empty he likes to have them filled again; and he
likes to see other people like _their_ pipe and _their_ mug of beer. If
you were to go dancing round a German, shrieking out entreaties to him to
sign a pledge that he would never drink another drop of beer again as
long as he lived, he would ask you to remember that you were talking to a
man, not to a child or an imbecile, and he would probably impress the
request upon you by boxing your ears for your impertinence. He can
conduct himself sensibly without making an ass of himself. He can be
"temperate" without tying bits of coloured ribbon all about himself to
advertise the fact, and without rushing up and down the street waving a
banner and yelling about it.

The German women are not beautiful, but they are lovable and sweet; and
they are broad-breasted and broad-hipped, like the mothers of big sons
should be. They do not seem to trouble themselves about their "rights,"
but appear to be very contented and happy even without votes. The men
treat them with courtesy and tenderness, but with none of that
exaggerated deference that one sees among more petticoat-ridden nations.
The Germans are women l