Major Gilroy and English Critics
Major Gilroy and English Critics is an article published in The New-York Times on 11 december 1894.
Major Gilroy and English Critics
What He Says About the Opinions of Authors Doyle and Murray Respecting New-York City.
Mayor Gilroy's attention was called yesterday to the opinions recently given of this city by two distinguished English authors — Dr. Conan Doyle and David Christie Murray.
"Yes, I have read them both," said the Mayor, "and those who are so anxious to have our English friends pass their opinion upon us can, as the old saying is, 'pay their money and take their choice.' The opinions show how much reliance can be placed upon the judgment of two gentlemen who are distinguished and eminent in their profession when they come to give their ideas on this city and its institutions after a few days' visit. I notice that Mr. Murray, in giving his views on this city, said: "
" 'When we passed through New-York six weeks ago it was with a rush, and the city fairly terrified me. Compared with Twenty-third Street our London Strand is a garden of sleep. Such a dreadful sway of life and a hurry of coming and going, such a roar of traffic and clanging of bells as I made acquaintance with in one short afternoon I had never dreamed of. You and I know many cities, but we know none which, compared with New-York, makes half so much noise in the pursuit of its occupation. To sit at a window and watch it all would be delightful. A triple window, carefully padded at all places, and which no sound could enter, would make the spectacle entirely enjoyable. But to be down in the midst of it and to preserve composure demands a less harassed set of nerves than we own.'
"Mr. Murray finds New-York very noisy. The Strand is a garden of sleep compared to Twenty-third Street! Well, Dr. A. Conan Doyle, before sailing for his home in England on Saturday, remarked : 'I am sorry to say that I was disappointed in the general aspect of New-York City. I expected to see something like London, and the first thing that impressed me was the absence of London's roar and turmoil. Your noise is not half so great as London's.'
"Mr. Doyle also says he believes that Philadelphia is the finest city in America and that Indianapolis comes next. Now, I cannot help but question the accuracy of a man's judgment who believes that Philadelphia is the finest city in America and that Indianapolis comes next.
"But you can see from the opinions of Dr. Doyle and Mr. Murray how valuable these criticisms are. One thing that can be said about such critics is that their patriotism will never permit them to believe that there is anything better in a country they visit than there is in their own. I wish some New-Yorkers were more patriotic in this respect than they are apparently. Too many people like to hear our English visitors criticise us, and with some of them it is unfortunately the fact that if the criticism is all against us the better they like it."
