which embodies my reflections on the preceding “choses vues” with such tentative conclusions as I felt justified in drawing. This essay, which appeared in McClure’s Magazine for July, 1909, has elicited a good deal of criticism in the South, which has led me to modify one or two passages. I am happy to say, however, that none of the criticism which has reached me, either privately or through the Press, has been in any sense hostile. Many critics have declared impossible the only solution of the problem which at all commends itself to me; but only one out of a hundred or thereabouts xvhas accused me of seriously misrepresenting the conditions.

xiv

“choses vues”

xv

From Florida, I proceeded by way of Cuba and Jamaica to a detached but very important section of the United States, the Canal Zone at Panama. I make no apology for including in this book a few notes of that journey. For one thing, I was still in Afro-America, still studying certain aspects of the colour-problem. But another motive prompts the inclusion of these sketches—the hope that some readers may be moved to follow in my footsteps, and enjoy a very delightful and interesting tour. Anything is worth doing, in my judgment, that tends to encourage Englishmen to cross the Atlantic. If any considerable proportion of the English travelling public could be induced to set their faces westward, we should soon get rid of many of the little prejudices and ignorances which still interpose themselves between the two branches of the Anglo-Saxon stem. The route which I followed—roughly, New York, Washington, Memphis, New Orleans, Charleston, Florida, Cuba, Jamaica, Panama, Cartagena, Trinidad, Southampton—is as easy and comfortable as it is interesting and instructive. No doubt the completion of the Canal will carry a rush of travel in this direction. But even before the gates of the Pacific are opened, I see no reason why the fascinating ferment of the Southern States, in conjunction with the glorious beauty of the xviWest Indies, should not attract the travelling Briton.

xvi

The chapters in the First Part of this book appeared, with two exceptions, in the Westminster Gazette; those in the Third Part, with one exception, appeared either in the Morning Leader or the Pall Mall Magazine. The chapters on Hampton and on Jamaica are here printed for the first time.

xvii

PART I SOUTHWARD HO!

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