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CHAP. XI.
Traits of national manners in America-Pugilistic contest in the Congress
-Opinions of the press on this affair-Acquittal of the Speaker of Ark-
ansas-Justification of murder-Mockery of the law-Robbers and cut-
throats at New Orleans-Horrible act of Lynch law at St. Louis-
Outrages attributable to Slavery-Address of Judge Fox to the grand jury
--Attempted abolition-riot at Boston-Scandalous scenes at weddings-
Quack medicines and necromancy-Indications of mourning in families-
Tranquillity of the streets of Philadelphia - Musical sounds of the
chimney-sweeps-Grand evening party, without wine-Lectures delivered
in Philadelphia--Public meetings for benevolent objects-Experiments
of Dr. Mitchell on carbonic acid gas-Freezing of mercury-Cold at 102°
below zero-Production and properties of carbonic acid snow-Practical
application of Dr. Mitchell's experiments-Substitution of carbonic acid
gas for steam-Comparison of costs and benefits-Plan to be tested by
the Franklin Institute-Object and character of that association, improve.
ments already effected by its labours-Progressive advance of American
manufactures-Last visit to the State House of Philadelphia-Oppressive
heat of the atmosphere-Fine view of the city and suburbs from the
steeple......... 197
CHAP. XII.
Departure from Philadelphia--Description of the bustle of embarking—
Beautiful scenery of the Delaware-Passage by Burlington and Bristol-
Landing at Bordentown--Journey to Amboy by rail-road-Fertility of the
State of New Jersey--Embarkation at Amboy in steam-boat-Passage
along the Straits of Staten Island - Elizabeth-town, Newark, and Brighton
-Opening of the extensive bay of New York-Splendid marine prospect
from the harbour- Second impressions on approach to the city-Short
stay and second illness at New York-Visit to the Great Western steamer
from England..... 226
CHAP. XIII.
Departure for Albany-Voyage up the Hudson-Hoboken, Weehawken and
the Palisadoes-Tappan bay-Grave of Major André-State prison for
criminals at Sing- Sing-Picturesque scenery of the highlands-Military
academy at West Point-Monument to the Polish patriot, Kosciusko-
Monument to General Brown-Poloppel Island, and Breakneck Hill-
Flourishing town of Newburgh-The Beacon hills, extensive prospect
from thence-Town of Poughkeepsie, manufactures there-Landing at
the village of Catskill-Stage route from the village to the mountains-
Excessive roughness of American roads-Beautiful appearance of the
country-Steep ascent of the mountains-Tremendous storm of thunder,
lightning, and hail-Gentleness and humanity of the drivers-Road on the
edge of a precipice-Complete envelopement in mist, second thunder-
storm-Arrival at the hotel called the Mountain House-Description of
the hotel, American cookery-Splendid daybreak on the mountain-top-
Singular sea of clouds beneath the spectator-Sublime picture of sun-rise
CONTENTS.
-Effects of sun-light on the beautiful picture-Gradual breaking away
of the clouds and mist-Herschel's theory of the spots on the sun-
Glorious prospect under the meridian day-Resemblance to the plain of
Damascus-Water-fall of 260 feet near the Mountain House-Leave the
mountain for the landing-place-Character of the scenery above Catskill
-City of Hudson, and village of Athens-Associations of celebrated
classical names-Defective nomenclature of the towns of America-First
approach to Albany from the south-Interesting appearance of the city—
Triumph of steam-navigation-Affecting account of Fulton's experimental
voyage-Landing at Albany, and comfortable home.........
CHAP. XIV.
236
Early history of the settlement of Albany-First voyage of Hudson up the
North river-Foundation of the Fort and City of Albany-Collisions of
the Dutch with the English-Grant of the territory by Charles II. to the
Duke of York-Surrender of Albany to the British-Increase of popula-
tion, by the decennial census-Causes of the rapid prosperity of Albany
-Size in area, and extent in resources, of the State-Comparison of sur-
face with England and Wales-Vast scale of the United States of America-
Increase of population in the State of New York-Probable augmentation
of territory and inhabitants-State canals, length,cost, and profits on then-
Rail-roads, extent and cost-Early corporation records of Albany-Latest
commercial and manufacturing statistics-Agricultural statistics-Increase
in the banks of the State of New York of each kind-Statistics of
education-amount of funds-Topography of Albany-Site and position
-Plan and arrangement of streets and squares-Contrast between ancient
and modern houses-Shops or stores, hotels and boarding-houses.... 268
CHAP. XV.
Government of the State, legislative and executive-Extent and costs of
the public establishments—Liberal appropriations for education-Exam-
ples of American rulers as to education-Penn, Washington, Adams
Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe-Question as to the connection of igno-
rance and crime-Extracts from the letter of Dr. Lieber on this subject
-Opinions of the keepers of penitentiaries and jails-Testimony of Mr.
Wood, of the Philadelphia prison-Testimony of Mr. Wiltse, of the Sing-
Sing prison--Testimony of Mr. Smith, of the Auburn State prison-
Testimony of Mr. Pilsbury, of the Connecticut State prison-Contrast of
the legislatures of England and America-Albany academy for the
education of male youths-Albany female academy-Issue of the experi-
ment on female education-Great defect in the want of physical training-
Supposed gradual decline in the health of females-Causes which con-
tribute to this in America ..... 288
CHAP. XVI.
Religious establishments in Albany-Number of churches possessed by each
sect--Proportion of the whole population attending worship-Liberal
support of the clergy or ministry-Beneficial effects of the voluntary
system-Anecdote of a noble lord in America-Sunday schools and teach-
ers in Albany-Most ancient churches of the city-Public buildings-The
Capitol-the City hall-the new State hall-Newspapers of Albany,
number and character-Specimens of political partisan warfare-Pugilis.
tic encounter in the Hall of Congress-Causes of the excessive irritability
of southern members-Parallel influences on the British in India-The
same in naval officers of all nations........... 313
CHAP. XVII.
Population of Albany-Numbers and classes-Character of Mr. Van Ran-
salear, the patroon-Influence of Dutch descent on social manners-Early
hours, and general gravity of demeanour-Theatres, 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-Exercises 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...326
CHAP. XVIII.
Excursion to the Shaker village of Niskyuna-Description of their place of
worship-Arrangement for the reception of strangers-Costume of the
Shakers, male and female-Silent commencement of their devotions-
Address of one of the male elders-First hymn sung by all the worship-
pers-Address of a second elder to the visitors-Attitude of kneeling, and
invitation to the Angels-Defence of the character of the Institution-
Speech of one of the female elders-Commencement of the devotional
dancing-Gradually increasing fervour of their devotion-Hymns to quick
song-tunes, and a gallopade-Extravagant evolutions of the female dan-
cers-Comparison with the whirling Dervishes of Damascus-Fanaticism of Christians, Mohammedans, and Hindoos.......
CHAP. XIX.
350
Origin of the sect of Shakers in Germany and France-Transplanting of the
sect to England in 1706-Biography of Ann Lee, the founder, in America
-First settlement at Niskyuna-Death of Ann Lee-Progress and pre-
sent state of the society of Shakers-Recent spread of the society in the
365
Western States
CHAP. XX.
Leading peculiarities of the sect of Shakers-Community of property in
all the families-Celibacy of the entire body, in both sexes-Non-exist-
ence of any priesthood-Use of the dance in religious worship-Rules for
the admission of new members-Order and arrangement of the society's
affairs-Scriptural authorities for community of property............... 378
CHAP. XXI.
Peculiar opinions as to the original sin of Adam and Eve-Scriptural autho-
rities in support of these views-Milton's Paradise Lost-Curse de-
nounced on woman at the fall-Fulfilment of this in the punishment of
child-bearing-Peculiar crimes of the antediluvian world-Child-bearing
of Sarah in her old age-First instance of a child being conceived through
faith alone-Examples and illustrations from the Mosaic law-Authority
of Mr. Wilberforce quoted by the Shakers-Profligacy of the sexes during
the reign of antichrist-Early conduct of church reformers, Luther and
Calvin-Authority of John Wesley in support of celibacy-Birth and
example of the Saviour-Opinions of the apostles on the subject of mar-
riage-Reply of Jesus to the Sadducees touching wives and husbands—
The chosen saints in heaven "not defiled with women"-Answers of the
Shakers to the objections urged against them—Admission of the utility
of marriage to the "world's people"-Practice of clapping the hands and
dancing, used in their worship-Examples of Miriam, Jephthah, and David
-Scriptural commands to clap the hands, to sing, and dance-Answer to
the objections made to these practices-General reflections on the sect
..... 387
and their peculiarities.....
CHAP XXII.
Journey from Albany to Schenectady-Description of the city and college—
Journey from Schenectady to Ballston Centre-Stay at the country seat
of Mr. Delavan-Efforts for the promotion of temperance-General Cocke,
the philanthropist of Virginia-Mr. Delavan's mission to England-Pro-
posed plan for the benefit of emigrants-First intercourse with American
farmers—Inferior appearance of the country to England-Superior con-
dition of the farmers and labourers-Independence of the occupiers of
land-Absence of tithes, poor-laws, and other burdens-Superior intelli.
gence of American farmers-More comfortable condition of farm-labourers
-Fine field for European emigrants-Causes which retard their progress
here-Statistical proofs of the evils of intemperance-Contrast produced
by temperate habits among farmers-High state of general health in the
district-Longevity of the temperate livers-Small proportions of paupers
needing relief-First Sabbath spent in a rural district-Happy and pros-
perous condition of domestics-Regularity of attendance on public wor-
ship-Equality of privilege among all classes-America a land of contrasts
in good and evil-Practice of “lobbying" in the State legislatures-Cor-
responding corrupt practices in England-Journey through Ballston to
Saratoga......
CHAP. XXIII.
406
Arrival and stay at Saratoga springs-History of the first settlement of the
spot-Conveyance of lands by Indian chiefs-Progressive increase of
the settlement-Origin of the popularity of the springs-Building of the
principal hotels—Situation and appearance of Saratoga-Characteristics of
the principal houses-Interesting spots in the environs-Chemical analy-
sis of the waters-Chief attraction to visitors at Saratoga-Great variety
of character for observation-Elegance of the men and beauty of the
women-Deficiency of females in expression and passion-Difference of
youth and age in the men-American authority for degeneracy of manners
-Freedom of intercourse with the young of both sexes-Routine of a
day at Saratoga--Order and succession of meals and intervals-American
sketch of the American character-Evening amusements-Hops, balls,
and concerts - Specimen of two American "popular discourses"-Imita-
tions of the "Diary of a Physician"-Discourse on the nursery tale of
"Cock Robin"-General opinions expressed on this performance...... 427
CHAP. XXIV.
Sensitiveness of Americans to foreign censure- -Opinion of Mr. Latrobe on
American character-Evil effects produced by hotel and boarding-house
life-Too early introduction of the young to public society-Effects on
the taste and manners of the more advanced-Disadvantages to married
and elderly persons-No return for this in improved health or vigour
Equal applicability of this to English watering places-Suggestion of a
better mode of making summer excursions-Beneficial effects which
would flow from its adoption-Deaths of two inmates of the house at
Saratoga-Impressive solemnity of a Quaker funeral-Address of an
eldea or patriarch of the society-Affecting prayer of the mother of the
deceased-Effect produced on the whole assembly-Contrast with more
gorgeous funerals-Quakers universally friendly to abolition-Many of
the American clergy apologists for slavery-Prejudices on republicanism
and on monarchy-Opinion of Mr. Cooper, the American, on slavery—
Fallacies of the arguments used on this subject-Public meeting at
Saratoga on education-Public meeting at Ballston on temperance-
Comparison between English and American farmers-Differences in the
appearance of the females.... 449
CHAP. XXV.
Leave Ballston for the Falls of Niagara-Departure from Schenectady by
the rail-road-Beautiful valley of the Mohawk-Little Falls on this
river-Rich alluvial plains of the German flats-Villages of Herkimer
and Frankfort-Romantic beauty of the Mohawk valley—Arrival and
stay at Utica-Stage journey from Utica to Syracuse-Comparison of
American and English coaches-Use of sea-phrases by American drivers