Critics abroad can't understand until they see for them-
selves how much the nation at large has been libelled and
misrepresented by what goes on at the great points of im-
migration. Why, even Eliot, here, believed before he
came, that the Crier was, as it claims to be, a fair exponent
of A^nerican character and manners, instead of being what
it is, the rowdy organ of the worst class of foreign popu-
lation. The fact is, that almost everything which is most
repugnant to good taste and good morals as viewed from
the European standpoint, — such as the vulgarity and black-
guardism of the Press, the Oder being the lowest type —
the selfish and cruel pro-slavery fanaticism, — the outra-
geous boasting, — ^the truculent arrogance toward other
nations — all these and more, are largely due to foreign
renegades among us in a direct sense, or indirectly to the
propitiation and delectation of the masses of foreign voters
thronging the great cities, who enjoy political power how-
ever low their intelligence, or deficient their education."

" Such a state of things should be counteracted," re-
marked. Eliot ; " your most eminent and cultivated men,
perceiving the evil, should labor to neutralize or remove
it."

" That of course must be the ultimate result," responded
Vernon, " but hitherto such persons have been criminally
negligent. When they discover, as sooner or later they
will discover, that the rights of property are never perma-
nently respected when its duties are unfulfilled, we shall



BEFORE THE STORM. 199

have a change for the better. A society cannot long re-
main civilized wherein the very judges are elected by the
classes from whose ranks come the criminals it is their duty
to punish."

******

Eliot spoke of his proposed tour, and his intended visit
to Cuthbert Boynton. His time was rather limited, and it
was not probable he would again see Elinor alone. At
the same time he was anxious, not to say curious, respect-
ing the true state of her feelings in relation to the young
Southerner. He had watched the undisguised admiration
of the latter for the beautiful girl with unselfish interest,
and seeing so much in each suitable and congenial to the
other, he had hoped for the successful consummation of a
match. 