countrymen ridicule the manners of the higher classes of the people of the United States, with a view I believe of having it supposed that they moved in a superior station at home. For my part, I have experienced much politeness and urbanity; and so far as my testimony will go, it is in favour of the frank and courteous demeanour of the gentlemen of this country; among whom there is to be found an abundant share of good sense and liberal feelings.* As to the "very learned," they are not to be expected to abound here, as in Europe, where learning is a trade, which numbers are brought up to. The Americans suffer us to manufacture books for them, as well as the cutlery and cottons which they consume. But although they write little on general topics, they read much; and you see no house without books in it. I was pleased to find in this new township a public library, which was commenced by a donation of books from Mr. R. and some of his friends, and is supported by a small annual contribution from those who enjoy its advantages. An institution of this nature is peculiarly advantageous to youth, among whom I have always observed that a

"It

* In corroboration of this remark, Mr. Hall, whom I have already mentioned, permits me to extract the following passage from a letter which he received from Lord Selkirk, dated Huntingdon, 8th June, 1810. is truly gratifying to a Briton to find that the most estimable part of your nation are those who are the most partial to the land of their ancestors."

taste for reading is very generally attended with propriety of behaviour, and sound morals.

I had formed an erroneous opinion of a woodsman. I expected to find rude manners; but the people here behave with great civility and propriety. I have not heard a single instance of profane language, or indecent expression, in this settlement. An air of comfort pervades the habitations of the humblest kind; and in general, the demeanour of the wife shews her to have her full share of the family controul. These people are almost all from the NewEngland states; by which name is designated the section of country north and east of New-York, which has always been remarked for the enterprise and good moral conduct of its citizens. To the inhabitants of this section of the United States, who are also distinguished by their shrewdness, the term Yankee is applied; and not, as it is understood in England, to all the states-a Yankee, therefore, means a native of New England. The civility of disposition in which they are educated at home, is taken abroad with them, and they are said to form a class of settlers far superior to those who emigrate from the southern states to the western wilderness.

As the means of supporting a family are within the reach of every one, people here marry young, and look out for habitations afterwards. They display a very commendable attention to the education of their children, and as soon as half a dozen houses, are built in a new settlement, a school is establish

ed; where, in the summer, the younger children are taught by a girl; and in winter, those that are somewhat older by one of the settlers, who takes upon himself the task of school-master. All can read, write and cypher. The equality of rights I which they possess, naturally produces an equality, or similarity of manners; and as they enjoy the same latitude in religion, as in political opinions, there is, so far as I have observed, very little discord between the various sects. What a happiness it would be to the world, if all who read the exhortation of the apostle, to Faith, Hope and Charity, would impress upon their minds his declaration, that the greatest of these is Charity; and the necessity of avoiding foolish questions and genealogies, and " contentions and strivings about the law ;-for they

are unprofitable and vain! "and yet, although this is said by one of the greatest of the apostles to a bishop of the church, I fear it has often been overlooked, and its meek and christian spirit neglected.

In this township there is no minister yet established. It is customary for the settlers to assemble on Sundays; prayers are said by some one, with much apparent devotion; a hymn or psalm is sung in parts, for most of them have been taught psalmody, accompanied by instrumental music, as a violincello, flutes, &c. A sermon from some approved divine is read;-and I must say, that this simple family worship has effects upon me, as powerful as a discourse in a cathedral.

SLAVERY, ROBBERIES, MENDICITY. 113

No slavery is permitted in Pennsylvania; the toleration of which in the southern states, is of incalculable mischief; and it is an evil which it is extremely difficult to get rid of; for even those who are opposed to slavery, dread the effects of an universal emancipation of the blacks. A society has been established by some of the most distinguished men in the United States for colonizing them, from whose efforts much may be hoped.

In the country robberies are almost unheard of; and when they occur in the cities, they are generally found to be committed by some abandoned out cast from Europe, whom justice has driven from her shores. It is a fact, that of the criminals in American courts of justice, a very great proportion are foreigners. Indeed, an American to whom the means of support are abundant, has no excuse for being a knave.

Mendicity is so rare in this state, that from my landing at Philadelphia to the present time, I have not seen a beggar.-Perhaps no better proof can be given of the general prosperity of its inhabitants.

The native Indians of this country are said to have a great capability of action but to be much addicted to idleness. I cannot help thinking this a part of the character of the people whom I am among. I find a man, whose enterprise has led him from the home of his parents, many hundred miles into the forests, to make a home for himself; but after cutting down a few trees, that he may enjoy the rays of

the sun, he contents himself with the exertions he has made, and sits down, to bask in its beams. Here are persons capable of any thing, but the steady plodding labour, so necessary for the prosperity of the farmer, or mechanic. This may in a great degree, arise from the want of an early application to one particular pursuit. Every one chooses his own occupation, and is any thing, or nothing, just as it happens, or inclination leads. The result, however, of this laxity of discipline, is a far greater degree of general knowledge, than can be found among the same class of society, in any other country.

On the subject of politics but little is heard out of the large cities. In all popular governments there must be some who are striving to get into place, and others who are endeavouring to retain it. There will, therefore, be collisions; and where the press is free, we may expect altercation between adverse parties. Of this we have abundant evidence at home. While Buonaparte swayed the French sceptre, the parties in the United States were violent, and ranged themselves under the name of federalists and democrats; the one being stigmatised as an English, the other as a French faction. They are, however, both republicans, and differ only in a slight degree, in their opinions on the administration of the government. The federalists advocated a navy, for the support of the commerce of the country; a small body of troops, to garrison