America To-day, Observations and Reflections

America Today is a critical look at the present state of American politics and society by William Archer. Excerpt: "LETTER I The Straits of New York—When is a Ship not a Ship?—Nationality of Passengers—A Dream Realized LETTER II Fog in New York Harbor—The Customs—The Note-Taker's Hyperæsthesia—A Literary Car-Conductor—Mr. Kipling and the American Public—The City of Elevators LETTER III New York a much-maligned City—Its Charm—Mr. Steevens' Antithesis—New York compared with Other Cities—Its Slums—Advertisements—Architecture in New York and Philadelphia LETTER IV Absence of Red Tape—"Rapid Transit" in New York—The Problem and its Solution—The Whirl of Life—New York by Night—The "White Magic" of the Future LETTER V Character and Culture—American Universities—Is the American "Electric" or Phlegmatic?—Alleged Laxity of the Family Tie—Postscript: The University System."