ould be the inferior writer. Mr. James
prefers the English atmosphere. And the Englishman is inclined to
regard us in our deviation as a sort of imperfect reproduction of
himself. What is his is ours, it is true; but what's ours is our own.
That is, we have inherited a noble literature in common. But we write
less and less like an Englishman all the while. Our legacy of language
brought over in the Mayflower has become adapted to our own
environment, been fused in the "melting-pot," and quickened by our own
life to-day. Whether for better or for worse--it may be either--the
literary touch is rapidly going by the board in modern American
writing. One of the newer English writers remarks: "A few carefully
selected American phrases can very swiftly kill a great deal of dignity
and tradition."

Why should we speak the very excellent language spoken in the tight
little isle across the sea? In Surrey they speak of the "broad Sussex"
of their neighbours in the adjoining county. Is it exactly that we
caun't? Or that we just don't? Because we have an article more to our
purpose, made largely from English material, but made in the United
States?

XIV

HUNTING LODGINGS

Some people say that it is the most awful trial.

But it isn't so at all.

One of the most entertaining things that can be done in the world, so
full of interesting things, is to go hunting lodgings. Also, it is one
of the most enlightening things that can be done, for, pursued with
intelligence and energy, it gives one an excellent view of humankind;
that is, of a particularly human kind of humankind. It is a confoundly
Christian thing to do--hunting lodgings--because it opens the heart to
the queer ways, and speech, and customs of the world.

Now, I myself hunt lodgings as some men hunt wild game.

Nothing is better when one is out of sorts, somewhat run down, and
peevish with the world generally than to go out one fine afternoon and
hunt lodgings In some remote part of town.

When in a foreign city, especially, the first thing I myself do, as
soon as I am comfortably settled somewhere--and after, of course,
having looked up the celebrated sights of the place, the Abbey, the
Louvre, Grant's Tomb---is to put in a day or so hunting lodgings.

Even to read in the papers of lodgings to let is refreshing and
educational. All lodgings are "sunny"--in the papers. They are let
mainly by "refined" persons, and are wonderfully "quiet." I rememb