when unemployed. The business of hotels is considerably extended by the custom of many individuals boarding in them, which by single men is considered both convenient and economical. It is not unfrequent even with married people for some years, till their family increases; a practice very foreign to British ideas, and of which many doubt the expediency. Mr Hamilton complains of the intricacy of the passages in these great hotels, rendering the discovery of a particular apartment a matter of speculation, and requiring a search like that of Parry for the north-west passage; but we cannot say, that in large English inns the internal arrangements in this respect are so superior as to afford much room for triumph. It may be urged, perhaps, in excuse for both, that such houses are usually formed by successive additions, which are not easily made to harmonize with each other.

From this subject the transition is natural to the food served up at public and private tables. This is allowed to be abundant, and of good quality. Such is particularly the case as to poultry and game, which are indeed often combined, since the turkey, the duck, and other domestic species are found here wild, and of excellent flavour. English palates, however, are not perfectly satisfied with the mode in which it is cooked and served up. The sauces are said to be unskilfully concocted, too rich and greasy. Mrs Trollope remarks on some singular combinations; as eggs and oysters; ham with apple sauce; steaks stewed with peaches; yet it might perhaps be difficult to decide on what principle some of our own conjunctions take place. Pies, puddings, and sweetmeats are favourite dishes, and, with meat, are presented at breakfast and in the evening, as well as at dinner. The favourite wines are madeira and claret, port being seldom used.

Some particulars specially relating to the labouring class may conclude this notice. Their means of physical wellbeing are, as already observed, decidedly superior to those in Britain, or any country of Europe. A great

proportion possess property in land, while those who work for wages obtain a much higher remuneration. Yet Mrs Trollope maintains that their condition is not really superior; which she imputes to their expenditure on victuals, including animal food three times a-day, to the quantity of liquor consumed, and their more frequent intervals of ill health. Yet the larger amount of income seems in itself an undoubted advantage, however they may fail in turning it to the best account. Dr Channing indeed also regrets this superfluity in diet, as injurious to health, and diverting their money from better purposes. The practice of boarding among the single and newly married is still more general than among the higher classes. Their residence, however, is not in hotels, but in houses kept for the express purpose, where they are supplied with three meals a-day, Their each including fish, meat, pastry, and fruit. lodging space, however, is very confined, each sleeping apartment containing almost always several beds, with usually two persons in each. As it is not expected that the boarder shall spend much time in the public room, unless at meals, he has little means of employing his leisure hours at home. This too naturally induces the habit of attending places of public amusement or drinking-houses; in which last, the entertainment as usual is not social, nor leading to turbulent intoxication. When the visiter enters he finds a long bar with a great variety of liquors, and a glass being handed to him, he fills it out of the one which he prefers. An ample supply of newspapers is prepared for his perusal ; but games of different kinds are much played, and often at high stakes. We may thus see, in regard to America, the insufficiency of mere moderation, and the importance of entirely discountenancing attendance at these haunts. Yet a certain amount of time and money is bestowed on intellectual improvement, which, though not very large, exceeds considerably that contributed by any similar population in the old world. Dress is another article on which the workman spends more than

the same class elsewhere. This taste may be considered so far laudable, though often carried, it is said, to a foolish excess. Hence, however, the people on the whole make a remarkably respectable appearance, and no symptom of absolute poverty is exhibited; yet close observers assure us, that the great cities present not a few examples of extreme wretchedness, chiefly occasioned, however, by intemperance or other misconduct.

We have had occasion to notice that a considerable proportion of females are employed in the American factories, generally the daughters of farmers or small proprietors, seeking by two or three years' labour to realize a little property; and we have mentioned the favourable report made upon their conduct. The factory girls at Waltham dress like ladies; they support a clergyman, and provide lectures for their own instruction. For two dollars a-week they obtain good board; though the houses are crowded as usual, and Miss Martineau deplores their lot in never being able to enjoy one moment of solitude,-an evil, however, which does not seem "to make the heart sore in America."

On beginning to have a family a man always takes up house; though this is a privilege which does not seem very highly prized. The mansions are large, and the rents high and increasing in New York, the lowest wooden tenement costs £30; hence it is common to take lodgings, or if a house be rented, to let it partially. The rearing of children is comparatively easy, since by the age of ten they begin to earn their own subsistence, and can be apprenticed to any trade without a premium.

We have now taken a general survey of social life throughout America; but, as already observed, there are different sections exhibiting remarkable variations. These are mainly divisible into four; the Northern and the Southern Atlantic States; then the Western, or those newly formed, divided according to the two others whence they respectively spring. The

VOL. III.

C

above delineation has been given specially with a view to the first or the Northern Atlantic section, as the most flourishing, most influential, and which has in some degree stamped its character on the Union. Its qualities are concentrated in the New Englanders, called by the other Americans Yankees-a name given somewhat in derision, yet which they do not hesitate to appropriate and glory in. The elements of knowledge are more generally diffused among them than perhaps in any other community, and their possession is regarded with peculiar pride even by the rural population. They have always manifested a deep sense of religious obligation, which, though sometimes assuming too strictly sectarian forms, prompts to extensive institutions and exertions for the diffusion of knowledge and the relief of distress. The mercantile character of the States was created and is still powerfully supported by the New Englanders, though New York, from favourable circumstances, has gained some steps in advance; and in maritime affairs they continue unrivalled. With all these high merits, complaints are made of their wanting that warmth, openness, and flow of soul, which give a charm to social life, thus rendering themselves rather the objects of esteem than of love. They are represented as cool, reserved, shrewd, calculating; cautious, yet enterprising, full of schemes of an original cast, which, though derided elsewhere under the title of Yankee notions, possess a useful and practical bearing. The most respectable class in this or perhaps any part of the Union consists of the small proprietors and farmers, who combine a proud simplicity with considerable intelligence and mental cultivation. The inhabitants of the cities and towns include many highly accomplished individuals; yet the majority are strongly actuated by the love of gain, and many, especially of the peddling order, little scrupulous as to the means of its acquisition. These being the parties through whom the country is best known to Europe and to the other states, its reputation has thus been considerably damaged.

The planters of the south, while they agree with their northern countrymen in a general train of manners and ideas, present many points of character not only different but strikingly contrasted. Instead of small owners or farmers, they are usually proprietors of a considerable extent of land tilled by their slaves. They are consequently relieved from manual toil, and exercise only a superintendence, often delegated to overseers; being thus nearly in the situation of the English country gentlemen, whose character in many respects they resemble. Chevalier considers them as contrasting with the northerns like the old class of Cavaliers with the Roundheads. Yet it is remarkable that they placed themselves in the foremost front of the contest for independence, and have always made the highest profession of democracy. Primogeniture, which had been fully established among the early settlers, was abolished soon after the revolution. The tone of society, however, is still aristocratic; and they record with pride their descent from illustrious English families who early migrated. They are quite gentlemen of the old school; their manners frank, open, and agreeable; their hospitality most liberal. A perfect stranger, of respectable appearance, receives a hearty welcome; hence inns are almost useless, and inferior to those in the north. A number employ their leisure in studying and preparing themselves for public life. Combining a knowledge of books and the world with habits of reflection, they become fitted for the highest public situations, and have contributed a majority of the orators and statesmen who have held sway in the republic. Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, four of the five first presidents, were Virginian. This class of men are now produced in nearly equal proportion by Boston. Indeed, the Virginians have experienced a pretty severe pressure from the reduced prices of their produce, while its amount has very little increased; and these causes, joined to their confirmed habits of liberal and even lavish expenditure, have led to a very general embarrassment. Their situation with respect