The previous answers are outstanding and spot on; nothing to correct. I only wish to add that Kipling was the second most popular author in England at the time; Dickens being the first. Almost every household in England had at least one book of Kipling on their shelves. He was taught in the high schools of America also, at least until the 50s. My father would quote Kipling to us, and we were and are Americans. There are some who claim he was a racist. But, that is simply not true.

Kipling was the second most popular author in England at the time; Dickens being the first. Almost every household in England had at least one book of Kipling on their shelves. He was taught in the high schools of America also, at least until the 50s.

My father would quote Kipling to us, and we were and are Americans.