SIR,—Havin g spent two war-time years in America among other bene-
ficiaries of the. unbelievable American generosity to English" guests," I have every sympathy with Professor Avery Craven's indignant denial that obtuse provinciality is a specifically American trait—and, indeed, plenty of evidence to support any is quoque which he might care to utter. No doubt, too, the typical nineteenth-century Briton abroad made just as hobnailed an impact on European sensibilities, and was just as heartily disliked, as the group (typical or untypical) described in Americans in Italy. .(Professor Avery Craven does rather miss the point, though; it was not only the homesick G.I.s but the top brass and the civilian colony which were incapable of saying " Permesso " - or " Grazie.") What distinguishes the twentieth-century American from the nineteenth-century Briton, however, is the incredulous indignation with which he greets any evidence of his own unpopularity. This indignation is on the whole more amiabl6 than the bland and lordly indifference of the Island Race in the great days of the sahib; it would, however, be more amiable still if it worked both ways.
A hypersensitive rhinoceros is not -a sympathetic object. And when Professor Avery Craven's hurt feelings lead him to threaten that America —or " intelligent Americans ! "—will withdraw their " favour " from Britain, and presumably retire into isolationism, if the Spectator dares to publish anything which American opinion might not approve, one wishes that he would make the imaginative effort to visualise himself as an English reader of American periodicals; and that, having done so, he would ask himself whether trembling sycophancy on the one hand and pulpiteering self-righteousness on the other are really the soundest basis for the co-operation .to which, lest worse befall, we are committed. —Yours faithfully, HONOR CROOME. Pearmain, Ruxley, Claygate, Surrey.
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