three men on the bummel(三个闲逛的人)-第57章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
I do not know if it be so； but from what I have observed of the German
character I should not be surprised to hear that when a man in Germany is
condemned to death he is given a piece of rope； and told to go and hang
himself。 It would save the State much trouble and expense； and I can see
that German criminal taking that piece of rope home with him； reading up
carefully the police instructions； and proceeding to carry them out in his
own back kitchen。
The Germans are a good people。 On the whole； the best people
perhaps in the world； an amiable； unselfish； kindly people。 I am positive
that the vast majority of them go to Heaven。 Indeed； comparing them
with the other Christian nations of the earth； one is forced to the
conclusion that Heaven will be chiefly of German manufacture。 But I
cannot understand how they get there。 That the soul of any single
individual German has sufficient initiative to fly up by itself and knock at
St。 Peter's door； I cannot believe。 My own opinion is that they are taken
there in small companies； and passed in under the charge of a dead
policeman。
Carlyle said of the Prussians； and it is true of the whole German nation；
that one of their chief virtues was their power of being drilled。 Of the
Germans you might say they are a people who will go anywhere； and do
anything； they are told。 Drill him for the work and send him out to
Africa or Asia under charge of somebody in uniform； and he is bound to
make an excellent colonist； facing difficulties as he would face the devil
himself； if ordered。 But it is not easy to conceive of him as a pioneer。
Left to run himself； one feels he would soon fade away and die； not from
any lack of intelligence； but from sheer want of presumption。
The German has so long been the soldier of Europe； that the military
instinct has entered into his blood。 The military virtues he possesses in
174
… Page 175…
THREE MEN ON THE BUMMEL
abundance； but he also suffers from the drawbacks of the military training。
It was told me of a German servant； lately released from the barracks； that
he was instructed by his master to deliver a letter to a certain house； and to
wait there for the answer。 The hours passed by； and the man did not
return。 His master； anxious and surprised； followed。 He found the man
where he had been sent； the answer in his hand。 He was waiting for
further orders。 The story sounds exaggerated； but personally I can credit
it。
The curious thing is that the same man； who as an individual is as
helpless as a child； becomes； the moment he puts on the uniform； an
intelligent being； capable of responsibility and initiative。 The German
can rule others； and be ruled by others； but he cannot rule himself。 The
cure would appear to be to train every German for an officer； and then put
him under himself。 It is certain he would order himself about with
discretion and judgment； and see to it that he himself obeyed himself with
smartness and precision。
For the direction of German character into these channels； the schools；
of course； are chiefly responsible。 Their everlasting teaching is duty。 It
is a fine ideal for any people； but before buckling to it； one would wish to
have a clear understanding as to what this 〃duty〃 is。 The German idea of
it would appear to be： 〃blind obedience to everything in buttons。〃 It is
the antithesis of the Anglo…Saxon scheme； but as both the Anglo…Saxon
and the Teuton are prospering； there must be good in both methods。
Hitherto； the German has had the blessed fortune to be exceptionally well
governed； if this continue； it will go well with him。 When his troubles
will begin will be when by any chance something goes wrong with the
governing machine。 But maybe his method has the advantage of
producing a continuous supply of good governors； it would certainly seem
so。
As a trader； I am inclined to think the German will； unless his
temperament considerably change； remain always a long way behind his
Anglo…Saxon competitor； and this by reason of his virtues。 To him life is
something more important than a mere race for wealth。 A country that
closes its banks and post…offices for two hours in the middle of the day；
175
… Page 176…
THREE MEN ON THE BUMMEL
while it goes home and enjoys a comfortable meal in the bosom of its
family； with； perhaps； forty winks by way of dessert； cannot hope； and
possibly has no wish； to compete with a people that takes its meals
standing； and sleeps with a telephone over its bed。 In Germany there is
not； at all events as yet； sufficient distinction between the classes to make
the struggle for position the life and death affair it is in England。 Beyond
the landed aristocracy； whose boundaries are impregnable； grade hardly
counts。 Frau Professor and Frau Candlestickmaker meet at the Weekly
Kaffee…Klatsch and exchange scandal on terms of mutual equality。 The
livery…stable keeper and the doctor hobnob together at their favourite beer
hall。 The wealthy master builder； when he prepares his roomy waggon
for an excursion into the country； invites his foreman and his tailor to join
him with their families。 Each brings his share of drink and provisions； and
returning home they sing in chorus the same songs。 So long as this state
of things endures； a man is not induced to sacrifice the best years of his
life to win a fortune for his dotage。 His tastes； and； more to the point still；
his wife's； remain inexpensive。 He likes to see his flat or villa furnished
with much red plush upholstery and a profusion of gilt and lacquer。 But
that is his idea； and maybe it is in no worse taste than is a mixture of
bastard Elizabethan with imitation Louis XV； the whole lit by electric light；
and smothered with photographs。 Possibly； he will have his outer walls
painted by the local artist： a sanguinary battle； a good deal interfered
with by the front door； taking place below； while Bismarck； as an angel；
flutters vaguely about the bedroom windows。 But for his Old Masters he
is quite content to go to the public galleries； and 〃the Celebrity at Home〃
not having as yet taken its place amongst the institutions of the Fatherland；
he is not impelled to waste his； money turning his house into an old
curiosity shop。
The German is a gourmand。 There are still English farmers who；
while telling you that farming spells starvation； enjoy their seven solid
meals a day。 Once a year there comes a week's feast throughout Russia；
during which many deaths occur from the over… eating of pancakes； but
this is a religious festival； and an exception。 Taking him all round； the
