the inferior ranks of their own countrymen at home; and thus progressively acquire a habit of arrogance and hauteur, of domineering, or as it is called in India “bahaudering," at last over their equals, so that quarrels are more quickly excited and more difficult to allay, duels are more frequent, and the exercise of all the angry passions more uncontrolled. The same is the case with young officers trained up as midshipmen and lieutenants, in the French, the American, and the British navies; the same with commanders of ships generally, and, in short, of all classes and in all nations, who begin by too early an exercise of an uncontrolled power over others, and grow as it were unconsciously to be tyrants, without, however, being able to exercise any restraining dominion over themselves; thus truly has the poet said,

Man, proud man,

Drest in a little brief authority,

Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven,
As make the angels weep."

CHAP. XVII.

Population of Albany-Numbers and classes-Character of Mr. Van Ransalear, the patroon-Influence of Dutch descent on social manners-Early hours, and general gravity of demeanourTheatres, concerts, and balls, not popular-Opinion of American writers on democracy-Its influence in producing mediocrity of taste-Objections to acknowledge masters by servants-Celebration of the national independence, 4th of July-Order of the processions and exercises-Venerable aspect of the heroes of the revolution-Procession of the young men's association—Odes and original poems on the occasion-Public amusements-Evening serenade-Order, sobriety, and decorum of the day-History of the temperance reform in Albany-Character and labours of Mr. E. C. Delavan-Opposition of the rich-Backed by the clergy-Wide field yet open for temperance efforts-Examples of disaster from rum and gunpowder-Lines in commemoration of the 4th of July-Climate of Albany-Extreme cold and heat -Excessive heat at all the great cities-Ludicrous effects attributed to this-Badness of the pavements in America-Deficiency of benevolent institutions in Albany-Visit to the orphan asylum there History of its origin and funds-Description of the establishment Successful experiment on vegetable diet-Excrcises of the children in geography-Patriotic speech of one of the pupils -Republican hymn-Air of God save the king-Effect of such exercises on the youthful mind-Annual cost, and weekly expense of each orphan-Unsatisfactory visit to the Albany museum.

THE population of Albany was, at the last census of 1830, ascertained to be 28,109; and at present it is estimated to exceed 30,000. Among these there are fewer coloured persons than we had yet seen in any part of America, the domestic servants being mostly Irish, from among the emigrants who pass through this city on their way to the West.

There is also less of inequality in the condition of the families residing here, than in the larger cities on the sea-coast. There are much fewer who are very rich and scarcely any who are very poor. The individual of the greatest wealth, perhaps, in the State, it is true, resides here, but he is only one: the fortunes of most of the other wealthy men here being much more moderate.

This is the celebrated Stephen Van Ranssalear, known by the name of "The Patroon," a word derived from the Dutch, and corresponding in its meaning, it is said, to our English phrase of "lord of the manor." This gentleman's ancestor was one of the carliest of the Dutch settlers here; and had a grant of land, extending for 24 miles along the banks of the river, and 24 miles inland, at that time an uncleared wilderness, but now a princely domain. This has descended, by the custom of primogeniture, to the present possessor: but a law of the State of New York, passed some time since, having prohibited such custom in future, the property will, at his death, be divided among his children.

In addition to his territorial and patrimonial wealth, "The Patroon" some years since was obliged to take, in payment of a bad debt of 50,000 dollars then owing to him, a tract of land near New York; and another in the west of this State, which he then considered a great hardship, as it was comparatively valueless. Increased population, and the progressive improvement of the country, have made these tracts, however, so valuable, that, it is said, his whole property, patrimonial and otherwise, yields him a clear income of more than a million of dollars, or £200,000

sterling per annum. I have no means of ascertaining whether this is strictly true; but such is the general opinion; and the extent of the territory, and the number of farms and houses belonging to him, render it extremely probable.

This old gentleman is now upwards of 70 years of age, and feeble. He has led, however, so just and virtuous a life, and been so generous and liberal with his wealth, that he is universally respected and beloved. He has been also most happy in the honourable conduct of his children, whose large expectations have not made them at all less anxious to recommend themselves to the esteem of their neighbours, with whom they mingle on terms of the most friendly equality, and lead the most rational, and least ostentatious life imaginable. Altogether their presence and influence seems to be felt as a blessing to the community."

Besides the family of the Van Ranssalears, there are many others of Dutch descent, more, perhaps, than in any other community in America. These, in their number and ramifications, give a great gravity and decorum to the general tone of society here. There is less of show, in houses, carriages, and horses; less of formal visiting, and large and expensive parties; less of ceremony and etiquette in visiting; very early hours for meals-seven for breakfast, two for dinner, and six for tea; plainer and more simple fare at each, than in the larger towns; and instead of persons living, as they too frequently do in the large commercial cities, at a rate beyond their income, and then winding up, after a career of *This venerable and excellent man has since descended to the grave.

RIDICULOUS DISTINCTION.

329

extravagance, in a state of insolvency, every family here lives much within its income, and lays by accumulated means for the succeeding generation.

The winter is the period when Albany is fullest of residents and strangers, for at that season of the year the legislature and the courts are in session; and at that time, besides the families of the legislators, and the members of the bench and the bar, a great number of families come in from the country to stay for the winter. There is then somewhat more of gaiety than in the summer, though even then there is less than in most other cities.

The theatre is rarely frequented, except when Mr. Forrest, or some very attractive performer, comes, and then only by a small class of the population. Concerts are not often given: and it may serve to show the feelings of a large portion of the influential classes towards public singers generally, to mention that Madame Caradori Allen, who gave a concert at Troy, six miles off, with only half the population of Albany, was unable to give a concert here, because the only eligible room for that purpose, which is a spacious hall, forming the chapel of the Female Academy, was refused to her by the trustees, on the ground of her being also an actress, though it had been granted to Mr. Russell, a vocalist, who was only a singer! Balls are not frequent, nor very largely attended; and, in short, the grave influence of Dutch descent, mingled with the religious influence of the Puritan settlers of New England, many of whose descendants reside here engaged in business, contribute jointly to give a more quiet and sober air