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CHAPTER XVI.
WHY THE NATIONAL VANITY OF THE AMERICANS IS MORE RESTLESS
AND CAPTIOUS THAN THAT OF THE ENGLISH.
All free nations are vainglorious, but national pride is not
displayed by all in the same manner. The Americans in their
intercourse with strangers appear impatient of the smallest censure and
insatiable of praise. The most slender eulogium is acceptable to
them, the most exalted seldom contents them; they unceasingly
harass you to extort praise, and if you resist their entreaties they
fall to praising themselves. It would seem as if, doubting their
own merit, they wished to have it constantly exhibited before their
eyes. Their vanity is not only greedy, but restless and jealous;
it will grant nothing, while it demands everything, but is ready to
beg and to quarrel at the same time.
If I say to an American that the country he lives in is a fine one, “Ay,” he replies, “there is not its fellow in the world.” If I applaud the freedom which its inhabitants enjoy, he answers, “Freedom is a fine thing, but few nations are worthy to enjoy it.” If I remark the purity of morals which distinguishes the United States, “I can imagine,” says he, “that a stranger who has been struck by the corruption of all other nations, is astonished at the difference.” At length I leave him to the contemplation of himself; but he returns to the charge, and does not desist till he has got me to repeat all I had just been saying. It is impossible to conceive a more troublesome or more garrulous patriotism; it wearies even those who are disposed to respect it.[1]
- ↑ Setting aside all those who do not think at all, and those who dare not say what they think, the immense majority of the Americans will still be found to appear satisfied with the political institutions by which they are governed; and, I believe, really to be so. I look upon this state of public opinion as an indication, but not as a demonstration, of the absolute excel-
