My Discovery of England

"My Discovery of England" by Stephen Leacock is a funny account of a trip to England in the early 1900s, where the author shares his thoughts and observations on British ways of life, culture, and government, especially compared to Canada and the United States. At the start, Leacock comes across as an interesting person—a Canadian with English roots who seems to be stuck between two different cultures. He talks about how English writers often lecture in America and then use their experiences there for profit back in England. Leacock jokes that he wants to do the opposite by going to England to form his own opinions. He makes fun of both English traditions and society by telling funny stories about his travels, experiences with customs, and what he first noticed when he got to London. By these personal stories, he sets the stage for his funny exploration of England throughout the book.