MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.-Absence of expensive, courtly, and civic paraphernalia, antiquated costumes, splendid retinues, and aristocratic distinctions. Character of the inhabitants of the different States. Their intimate relation to each other, and assimilation of rich and poor. Rate of wages to working men. Cheapness of means of subsistence. Their abundance. Economy of travelling. Politeness of American gentlemen towards the female sex. Rights of women. In what they consist. Extent to which recognised. The influence of the female sex on society at large. Uncharitable representations of both men and manners in America, by European Tourists. Prevailing hospitality. General politeness and urbanity of American gentlemen.

As you see in America no nobles and civil officers gorgeously arrayed, lounging in splendid carriages and luxuriating in their wealth,—the result of enormous incomes from the State,—so there are no Lord Mayor's Shows, with their gew-gaw trappings, mocking the misery of perambulating beggars; nor evidences of pinching want and squalid misery within-doors; no palaces or habitations in which an ordinary family is lost, and hovels too small for human endurance.

Property is not accumulated in a few hands, and political power confined to certain privileged orders; nor do the middle and higher ranks enjoy, in the fruits of wealth, exuberance and luxury, while large sections of the population are either entirely destitute of the means of subsistence, or earn them by unrequited toil and degradation. And the opposite ingredients in her social and political state are not only the source of the social welfare of America, but the basis on which her political institutions rest. While living is on the whole cheaper than in England, rates and taxes so inconsiderable, and wages high, among American workmen in general there is no degrading penury,—no hereditary inferiority of class. An American artisan, as well as labourer, is a superior being to one of the same class in Europe: he is not only in better circumstances as to food, but in a better position generally, having the prospect of that advancement, as the reward of industry, to which all aspire. A kind of caste exists. in England, in consequence of which a labourer or artisan can scarcely ever hope to rise to the rank of a master. Even the

poorest and most intractable of the native Irish, on arriving in this country, sets to work vigorously, and strains every nerve, as if to falsify the low estimate put upon his qualities. He appears as if determined to be avenged upon fortune herself, by showing that he can dispense with her favours.

All through America (the slave states excepted), there is, as already intimated, an absence of that visible wretchedness and degradation to be everywhere seen mingled with the wealth and splendour of European cities. The whole mass of the working classes are better dressed, and appear more cleanly in their persons and attire; conveying the impression to an Englishman that England is the workshop, and America the place where its manufactures and fabrics are consumed. As far as the necessaries of life, and even material comforts are concerned, even the backwoodsman is in circumstances of comfort amidst the affluent solitudes of nature. The assimilation of rich and poor, or of the higher and lower classes of America, is also apparent with regard to the conveniences and comforts of life,as to houses, furniture, gardens, &c. And these remarks apply with still greater truth to personal acquirements. Having mostly to live by their own exertion, and debarred from expensive pleasures, the lower classes are induced to improve themselves with unremitting assiduity; and for this they possess the most ample opportunities.

In a word, America is a country in which every human being is profitably employed, his energies stimulated by requited labour; where every branch of industry is flourishing, and where every industrious man may be prosperous and happy. Everywhere are heard, in her cities and remotest villages, the joyful sounds of enterprising industry, the ringing music of the workman's tools and the anvil, and the ceaseless hurry of commercial occupation.

As has been already intimated, travelling and boarding are nearly as cheap again as in England; and almost all kinds of food are abundant, and obtained on very reasonable terms, although luxuries are dear. In journeying from New York to Philadelphia by water, as also in returning, including 30 miles of land carriage, the charge is 18s., including breakfast and dinner, the whole distance being 90 miles: and this is the usual rate also on the Hudson towards Albany, and throughout the Middle States. The distance from Boston to Albany is 200 miles, accomplished in eight hours; the charge five dollars. A

passage may be obtained by a packet boat from New York to Utica, a distance of 80 miles, for three dollars, being at the rate of 2d. per mile, including board. Breakfast and dinner generally on board the steam boats are 2s. 6d., and the table is supplied with everything that a moderate appetite can require. A family could reside permanently on board of one of the most magnificent of the river steamers, with a separate cabin, and every luxury of living, including a voyage of 150 miles, for 10s. each per diem.

It is said that a tourist could occupy a couple of months upon the double journey between the United States and England,visit every State of the Union from Niagara to New Orleans, and live in comfort during his whole journey,-for a smaller sum of money than it would cost him to obtain the same amount of comfort during a two months' tour of the British Isles; and that, although the fare for the steamer, backwards and forwards between England and the States, is £30 each way, thus including the whole transatlantic voyage.

It is even stated that a traveller in the States, residing for two consecutive months in one of their principal cities, would be better provisioned and lodged for £100 sterling than he would in England for £300; and, notwithstanding all the republican bluntness and equality, be treated with far more consideration and respect.

Railway travelling is also much cheaper than in England, although wages are so high, and the rate of interest on loans is so exorbitant. The fare from Montreal to New York, 410 miles, by express, is only 16s. 8d. From New York to Boston, 336 miles, the fare is five dollars, and the rate of travelling 25 miles an hour, en route through New Haven, Hertford, Springfield, Worcester, and the State of Connecticut, passing along the valley of the Connecticut river. From London to Edinburgh, about the same distance, it is twice that sum in the second class. Travelling here by rail, however, is less pleasant than in England, as in parts of the country where coals are used, the passengers are liable, by defect of arrangement, to inhale the smoke, loaded with sulphurated hydrogen, proceeding from the pyritical coal in the furnace, and urged upon them by the wind.

Manners and customs are made to depend so much upon the arbitrary opinions and fashions of a particular country, that no particular standard exists by which to regulate them. A peculiar style of manners, indeed, may pass current in one country, but

be repudiated in another. According to what is generally understood by them in civilized countries, an enlightened and liberal stranger in America, especially one who had seen something of the continent of Europe, would see little to condemn,---a devotion to the Virginian weed and its consequences, together with a few peculiarities in the more public phases of social life excepted ;-little that detracts so materially from the purity of republican manners, as Englishmen who have never visited it have been led to suppose from the journals of European tourists; little more, perhaps, than he would see in England, for which he could not find a reason and an excuse. While as to the virtues of private and social life in the Middle and North-Eastern States, generally speaking, perhaps, he would find America on a par with the parent country, and in some respects its exemplar.

The various sentiments, characters, and habits of the different European inhabitants, added to the tastes and other circumstances consequent on an original transfer of persons to differert climates and their subsequent existence in them,-all this being taken into account; also their being accustomed to novel aspects of external nature, and the subjects of sympathies generated under new modifications of social intercourse;-it is but natural to expect that their character should be marked by customs and manners peculiar to their condition, and even affecting their bodily frame and constitution. There are, indeed, some obvious peculiarities of character presented in almost every State; and so strong does the contrast sometimes become, as, for instance, between the cities of New York and Philadelphia, and the Eastern and Southern States of the Union, as to render a general description difficult, if not impossible. The New-Englanders are industrious, frugal, pious, patient, and imperturbable. In the Middle States, Pennsylvania excepted, where the people are of a staid and sober aspect, they are, in addition to these qualities, eminently energeti. In the Southern States, where slavery exists, they are generou indolent, haughty, and reckless. In the Western State frank, hospitable, industrious, and lovers of adventure; bu at the same time, possessed of many deteriorating qualiti It may, however, be said of the North-Eastern States-Mai: New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, a Connecticut, to which Pennsylvania may be added, that in mɛ ners and various social arrangements they possess an essential distinctive character.

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There being few exhibitions for amusement, and but little time or taste for them, those who are happy enough to possess a home find their enjoyment there to be purer and steadier than that which is usually met with abroad; and those who have not a family hearth, are too much exhausted with the fatigues of the day-the ardent, stirring pursuits of business-to seek for amusement far beyond the precincts of their own domiciles, or those of their own immediate acquaintances and friends. There are few to be found in America who are driven by ennui to adopt expedients for killing time. More generally, it would appear, than in any other part of the world, those who are at the head of a home in the States, endeavour to make it a cheerful one, wisely judging that happy faces are the best ornament to a house; and thus their sons and daughters, except in some spirit of enterprise, seldom wish to wander from it.

Under these circumstances, theatres and places of public entertainment are but little patronised. Such inadequate remuneration and encouragement do some of the conductors of these institutions receive, that customary performances have been known to be occasionally discontinued or suspended on that account, even in some of the larger cities. Nor are the American people addicted to holiday sports, or festive celebrations. The principal out-door amusements of the sexes have been said, sneeringly, to be the bar-room and the lecture

room.

It is scarcely possible to conceive of a higher compliment, though not intended as such, than that paid to the ladies of Boston, and to American ladies in general, by Mr. Dickens, in his Notes. After speaking in the highest terms of the tone of society, he adds,-"The ladies are, unquestionably, very beautiful; but there I am compelled to stop. Their education is much the same as with us. Evangelical ladies there are likewise, whose attachment to the forms of religion, and horror of theatrical entertainments, are most exemplary. They have a passion for attending lectures, and an aversion from all innocent pleasures, resorting to chapels and lecture rooms in crowds. There are two theatres in Boston, of good size and construction, but sadly in want of patronage. Thus, in the eyes of some persons, some of the characteristics of American society, imputed to them as faults, are closely allied to virtues. Captain Hall reflected on the ladies of one of the States because they were not present at a cattle show; and on others, because they were