"What people did you like best?" asked Miss Agnes.
"A man who does not cherish prejudice, must naturally like the best qualities and the best individuals of all nations."
"But have you no preference?"
"There cannot be a doubt, that society is more agreeable in
France, in Paris, than elsewhere."
"Are not the French too artificial?"
"I honestly do not think them more so than the English. English simplicity often has a very artificial twist; with the French it is just the reverse; art becomes a second-nature, with them."
"We hear the French accused of selfishness—"
"I think you would find both French and English more selfish than we are. But they have different ways of showing it. The Englishman is exclusive, and reserved; the Frenchman egotistical. Reserve may seem dignified; but it often covers a great deal of cold self-love; while French egotism—not EGOISME—is often mingled with much naivete and bonhommie {sic}. Both nations, however, are more selfish than the Italians, or Germans, I should say."
"Still, you seem to like the French the best of the two."
"Well, the French generally treat Americans more civilly than the English. John Bull is very fond of giving himself airs of superiority, after a disagreeable fashion of his own. Now a Frenchman fancies himself so much more civilized than the rest of the world, that he has a good-natured feeling towards everybody but John Bull: he thinks he can afford to be amiable and friendly."