The seducer loses caste almost equally, and in a country where public opinion greatly decides a man's fortune, is severely visited by its consequences. Such a reproach forms a bar to his advancement in all the paths of official or professional life. Even in the great cities, though the usual scenes of vice more or less occur, they are covered at least by a veil of decorum.

It is impossible, moreover, to deny to the Americans the full praise of

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Rough industry, activity untired,

With glowing life informed, and all awake."

The mother-country, indeed, had within the last century set an example which the world had hitherto seen nothing to equal. This her offspring, however, has fairly surpassed her, in the rapidity with which she has subdued a vast wilderness, created new nations, and opened intercourse between the most distant regions. Here indeed, as in other pursuits of industry, the promotion of personal interest must be the prominent motive. We are, however, convinced with Miss Martineau, that some higher impulses are combined; the improvement of the country, the formation of extensive influence and connexions, the giving employment to numerous individuals. Upon this subject, however, we need not dwell, since its results have been so largely exhibited in a former part of the work.

Having viewed the American character in so many favourable lights, we are obliged to notice some others of a rather opposite aspect, partly connected with their good qualities, partly, it should seem, very inconsistent with them. The free constitution of their government, the share which even the humblest citizens enjoy in its administration, are their greatest boast; and they exult particularly in the vast and indeed unexampled extent of country over which it has been diffused without leading to the anarchy usually predicted in such cases. We have fully admitted, that with some few exceptions this government really has performed its grand object of securing person and property, and at the same time

leaving full scope for individual exertion and enterprise. Nor are we inclined to doubt that, in a great majority of instances, votes are given with a full honesty of purpose. Yet it is certain, and is admitted by their best writers, that the spirit and temper with which political discussion is carried on has no tendency to refine or elevate the character. We cannot say that it has much even in Europe; but America is allowed to carry to excess all the faults to which this pursuit is liable ;—the furious vituperation and personal attacks upon adversaries; the gross deceptions circulated and believed; the servile devotion or blind enmity to a political leader. The newspapers are in an extraordinary degree stamped with these faults; and as they write for purposes of profit, must find them acceptable to their readers; indeed, none written in a higher tone are said to succeed. It is, however, so inconsistent with the reigning profession of piety, that many who peculiarly devote themselves to religion withdraw altogether from political concerns. Dr Channing argues that they are to blame, and ought to take a proper share in these, carrying and seeking to introduce into them a more suitable spirit and temper. The two elements appear sometimes mixed, but in a manner which we cannot but feel particularly offensive. Mr Combe quotes the following passage: "The locofocos are triumphant at every point, laughing at every corner of their infernal mouths. The devil knowing what they had been about, began to rejoice, and let out one of the prettiest north-eastern rain-storms; but what cared the locofocos for getting wet. When they get to their comfortable quarters in another region hereafter, they will have time to dry, &c." (we decline copying more).

There is a fault of another and seemingly very opposite nature, which is strongly urged against the people; this is timidity in the expression of opinion. De Tocqueville represents the minority as not only yielding to the power of the majority, but shrinking from the manifestation of any opposite feelings. Miss

Martineau describes the nation as enjoying less liberty of speech and action than others whom they despise as in a state of servitude. She laments in particular the mental thraldom in which her own sex appeared to be held. Mr Buckingham quotes a New York reviewer, denouncing public opinion as a greater tyrant in the States than any where else, and the majority of the people as abject slaves. Dr Dewey complains of a general moral cowardice and pusillanimity. "I think," says he, "I see something of this in our very manners,-in the hesitation, indirectness, the cautious and circuitous modes of speech, the eye asking assent before the tongue can finish the sentence. I think that in other countries you oftener meet with men who stand manfully up, and deliver their opinion without asking or caring what you or others think about it." Many, he says, will see others suffering reprobation for opinions which they themselves hold, without having the courage or manliness to say : "I think so too."

From these testimonies there seems no doubt that the disposition complained of exists to a considerable extent. It appears to arise from the extensive dependence upon public opinion, the numerous offices and functions in townships, counties, state and general legislatures, the election for all which rests with the people. Yet we cannot help thinking that it has been greatly exaggerated, and opposes no such bar as has been sometimes represented to the progress and fluctuations of public opinion. It has already been observed, in respect to the general political movement of the country, that the highest ascendency of the majority has never prevented its being opposed by a minority with even excessive violence. The people are divided among a great variety of religious sects, some very small, yet maintained obstinately against general contempt or opprobrium. It is only required that they shall include a belief in Christianity; but this allows a very wide range. It is observed, indeed, that individuals protect themselves by being aggregated to some respected and

established body; yet there is no power keeping even these in a permanent condition. We shall see that in many of these sects extensive schisms have recently arisen. The temperance and anti-slavery movements are altogether new, and beginning on a small scale, have spread widely in the face of the most determined hostility and ridicule. These innovations have originated with individuals, whose names even many of them bear. They do not seem indeed to have rested content with the colloquial or even written expression of their sentiments, but to have studiously sought to diffuse them by means of associations. The various modes of forming these, comprised under the term agitation, seem to have originated in America. This mode of extending opinions is animated and agreeable, developing many social ties and attachments; yet it is apt to be carried on with excessive and sectarian zeal, and with the same vehemence of action and language which distinguishes political conflict. The associate is not open to reasoning like the individual thinker; he has a rooted opinion, and employs his powers of thought only in seeking arguments and motives, which may be vehemently urged in its support. Thus, however, full scope is found for change and progress, and there is no risk of that mental stagnation which some represent as arising from the dread of singularity, and the awe of public opinion. We suspect even that there is a feverish craving for such movements. The North American Review, in referring to one, describes it as "the newest form of agitation," seeming to intimate that these arise in continued succession.

The next class of faults belongs to one of their merits, only carried to excess, and in some cases perverted. They do not, according to Mr Combe, know the art of getting rich leisurely. A restlessness, a striving and driving onward, mark all their movements. The whole of society seems in a state of preternatural activity. According to their advocate, Mr Grund, " business is their pleasure, their soul, pursued not as means of securing necessaries and comforts, but as the grand fountain of

human felicity. The merchant is engaged as it were in a crusade after wealth. From the earliest hour in the morning, he is a perpetual mobile; in the house, on change, wherever he goes, the hum and bustle of business attends him. He never thinks of retiring or seeking the enjoyment of leisure, and would despise any one that should do so." The writer considers this incessant occupation as preserving the purity of morals, leaving no time nor thought for dissipation. Yet while welcoming this result, we could wish to see evil driven out by good, rather than one evil by another. To compass these aims, they study to move with an almost preternatural activity, travelling only in the business style among multitudes in the steam-ship or railway, and considering even this as too tardy. Their meals are scarcely eaten, but bolted down; Miss Sedgwick observing with censure, that it is generally considered unbusiness-like to spend above ten minutes at dinner. Their motions are precipitated with the effort not to lose a moment. At church or other assembly, the instant that the speaker's voice ceases, the whole congregation start and rush out, as if vying with each other which should be foremost, and without regard to the risk of mutual collision. Mr Bryant even assures us, that the fair leaders of fashion at New York, in gaily promenading the Broadway, exert the same preternatural swiftness :

"Soft voices and light laughter wake the street,
Like notes of wood-birds, and where'er the eye
Threads the long way, plumes wave, and twinkling feet
Fall light, as hastes that crowd of beauty by;

The ostrich hurrying o'er the desert space,

Scarce bore those tossing plumes with fleeter pace."

Another evil of this intense pursuit of wealth, is its tendency to overshoot the mark, and instead of raising to prosperity, to plunge into ruin. The mischiefs of extravagant speculation are sufficiently felt in this country; but in America still more extensively. Dr Dwight acknowledges that even the sober citizen of Boston is too apt to rush into perilous and daring enterprises. The