With regard to the wealth of the nations, it was equally surprising for him to learn that the census of 1880 proved the hundred-year-old Republic could purchase Great Britain and Ireland and all their realized capital and investments and then pay off Britain’s debt, and yet not exhaust her fortune.  But the most startling statement of all was that which I was able to make when the question of Free Trade was touched upon.  I pointed out that America was now the greatest manufacturing nation in the world. [At a later date I remember Lord Chancellor Haldane fell into the same error, calling Britain the greatest manufacturing country in the world, and thanked me for putting him right.] I quoted Mulhall’s figures:  British manufactures in 1880, eight hundred and sixteen millions sterling; American manufactures eleven hundred and twenty-six millions sterling.[71] His one word was: 

“Incredible!”

[Footnote 71:  The estimated value of manufactures in Great Britain in 1900 was five billions of dollars as compared to thirteen billions for the United States.  In 1914 the United States had gone to over twenty-four billions.]

Other startling statements followed and he asked: 

“Why does not some writer take up this subject and present the facts in a simple and direct form to the world?”

I was then, as a matter of fact, gathering material for “Triumphant Democracy,” in which I intended to perform the very service which he indicated, as I informed him.

“Round the World” and the “American Four-in-Hand” gave me not the slightest effort but the preparation of “Triumphant Democracy,” which I began in 1882, was altogether another matter.  It required steady, laborious work.  Figures had to be examined and arranged, but as I went forward the study became fascinating.  For some months I seemed to have my head filled with statistics.  The hours passed away unheeded.  It was evening when I supposed it was midday.  The second serious illness of my life dates from the strain brought upon me by this work, for I had to attend to business as well.  I shall think twice before I trust myself again with anything so fascinating as figures.

CHAPTER XXV

HERBERT SPENCER AND HIS DISCIPLE

Herbert Spencer, with his friend Mr. Lott and myself, were fellow travelers on the Servia from Liverpool to New York in 1882.  I bore a note of introduction to him from Mr. Morley, but I had met the philosopher in London before that.  I was one of his disciples.  As an older traveler, I took Mr. Lott and him in charge.  We sat at the same table during the voyage.

One day the conversation fell upon the impression made upon us by great men at first meeting.  Did they, or did they not, prove to be as we had imagined them?  Each gave his experience.  Mine was that nothing could be more different than the being imagined and that being beheld in the flesh.