imes do, they manage them, whether they are great or small. The
place which in "America" is filled by that exquisite, awful, and
imperturbable being, the hotel clerk, is filled invariably in England by
a woman--so at least I always found it, and I found the change a very
happy one. To be met by the cheery, pleasant faces of these bright,
well-mannered women, to be spoken to as if you were a human being whom,
in consideration of what you are to pay, it was a pleasure to make as
comfortable as possible, instead of being treated with lofty
condescension, or at best with serene indifference, was a pleasant
sensation. And these women did their work so quietly and cheerfully, and
yet in such a businesslike way, that it was a constant pleasure to come
into contact with them. Dressed in black serge or alpaca, they affected
no flirting airs, and directed or obeyed promptly and quietly. And yet
their womanhood constantly appeared in their manner and in their
thoughtfulness for the comfort of those who were in their care. They
always had a pleasant word or a smile in answer to a passing remark,
were always ready to answer any question or give any information, and
were pleased at any acknowledgment of satisfaction. Naturally it was so;
for they were women; and they were chosen, it seemed to me, for their
pleasant ways as well as for their efficiency. From not one of them,
from one end of England to the other, in great cities or in quiet
country towns and villages, did I receive one surly word or look, or
anything but the kindest and promptest attention. I can say the same of
the shop women, who waited upon customers not as if they were
consciously condescending in the performing of such duties, but
cheerfully and pleasantly, and with a show of interest that a purchaser
should be satisfied. Their dress was almost invariably the same black
unornamented serge or alpaca, which, by the way, is the commonest street
dress of all women of their condition. In the telegraph offices the
clerks are generally women; and indeed, women seem to do everything
except plough, drive omnibuses and railway engines, and be soldiers and
policemen. They keep turnpikes, where turnpikes still exist; and in
Sussex I saw a woman's name with her husband's upon the pike-house.
Indeed, it seemed to me that in all public affairs, from politics down
to turnpike keeping, women were very much more engaged and before the
world in England than in America, although I saw