19 FEBRUARY 1898, Page 23

Glimpses of Our American Kith and Kin. By Hare Booth.

(C.

Kelly.)—Mr. Booth spent some weeks in the United States (the Northern and Eastern portions, it must be understood) ; he went into Canada ; he traversed the Continent and saw some of the wonders of the West, the Yellowstone Park, for instance (where he was particularly charmed by the tameness of the animals), and Salt Lake City. He ebserved men and manners with a friendly eye, as indeed he had good reason for doing, found a few things which did not please him, as the cab-fares in New York, and many that did. He has not much that is new to tell us, though he does give us some details of information which are likely to be passed over because they are obvious, but he has done well to publish his impressions. There is much friendly feeling to England in the States, especially in the regions which our traveller visited, and it is a distinct advantage that this should be appreciated and recognised. Only we must not shut our eyes to facts. Mr. Booth laments that as he is writing the conclusion of his book a cloud has arisen. Unfortunately these clouds are not natural phenomena. They are created by the machinery of party, by politicians who are for the most part indifferent to any- thing but partisan interests, but who appeal without scruple to a most formidable power of anti-English feeling.