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June 18, 2006
The national character of the Americans
One of the most famous, and infamous, books every published about the United States is Domestic Manners of the Americans, by Fanny Trollope. It was a huge hit in England. I can open it anywhere and find something amusing, acutely observed, and possibly true even today. I picked up my copy this morning and this was the first thing I saw, "Having now arrived nearly at the end of our travels, I am induced, ere I conclude, again to mention what I consider as one of the most remarkable traits in the national character of the Americans; namely, their exquisite sensitiveness and soreness respecting everything said or written concerning them." What do you think?
Posted by Karen Christensen at June 18, 2006 8:49 AM