The
Duke, as well as his wife and their daughter, seemed to be
pleased with what I said, and thanked me heartily. Through the
kindness of Lady Aberdeen, my wife and I were enabled to go with
a party of those who were attending the International Congress of
Women, then in session in London, to see Queen Victoria, at
Windsor Castle, where, afterward, we were all the guests of her
Majesty at tea. In our party was Miss Susan B. Anthony, and I was
deeply impressed with the fact that one did not often get an
opportunity to see, during the same hour, two women so remarkable
in different ways as Susan B. Anthony and Queen Victoria.
In the House of Commons, which we visited several times, we met
Sir Henry M. Stanley. I talked with him about Africa and its
relation to the American Negro, and after my interview with him I
became more convinced than ever that there was no hope of the
American Negro's improving his condition by emigrating to Africa.
On various occasions Mrs. Washington and I were the guests of
Englishmen in their country homes, where, I think, one sees the
Englishman at his best. In one thing, at least, I feel sure that
the English are ahead of Americans, and that is, that they have
learned how to get more out of life. The home life of the English
seems to me to be about as perfect as anything can be.
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