trouble, if I proceed to the second part of the story, and tell you where I am going. I am going to New Orleans."-This is really no exaggerated picture: dialogues, not indeed in these very words, but to this effect, occurred continually, and some of them more minute and extended than I can venture upon in a letter. I ought, however, to say, that many questions lose much of their familiarity when travelling in the wilderness. "Where are you from?" and "whither are you bound ?" do not appear impertinent interrogations at sea; and often in the western wilds I found myself making inquiries, which I should have thought very free and easy at home. And, indeed, why should that be deemed a breach of good manners in North America, which in South America is required by the rules of common politeness? "The Abipones of Paraguay," says Dobrizhoffer, "would think it quite contrary to the laws of good-breeding were they to meet any one, and not to ask him where he was going; so that the word miekaùe? or miekauchitè? where are you going?' resounds in the streets."

The next American habit on which I will remark, which always offended me extremely, is the almost universal one of spitting, without regard to time, place, or circumstances. You

must excuse my alluding to such a topic; but I could not in candour omit it, since it is the most offensive peculiarity in American manners. Many, who are really gentlemen in other respects, offend in this; and I regretted to observe the practice even in the diplomatic parties at Washington. Indeed, in the capitol itself, the dignity of the Senate is let down by this annoying habit. I was there the first session after it was rebuilt, and as the magnificent and beautiful halls had been provided with splendid carpets, some of the senators appeared at first a little daunted; but after looking about in distress, and disposing of their diluted tobacco at first with timidity, and by stealth, they gathered by degrees the courage common to corporate bodies; and before I left Washington had relieved themselves pretty well from the dazzling brightness of the brilliant colours under their feet! It was mortifying to me, to observe all this in an assembly, whose proceedings are conducted with so much order and propriety, and in chambers so truly beautiful as the Senate and House of Representatives-the latter the most beautiful hall I ever saw.*

* The following extracts will show that this practice is not quite so peculiar to America, as many of my countrymen suppose. No precedent, however, can justify, in any degree,

Another thing which has displeased me, is the profusion and waste usually exhibited at meals. Except in the very best society, the plate is often loaded with a variety of viands, and is dismissed half emptied. An Englishman is shocked at the liberal portions allotted to the young ladies, till he finds they afford no measure of the appetites of those to whom they are sent, who appear to be as abstemious as his own fair country-women. Still, this exhibition of waste is always displeasing; and when viewed in connexion with the sufferings of so many of the population of our own country, is also distressing.

a habit so offensive, that it ought not to be tolerated a moment in any society, which pretends to have advanced one step towards civilization:

"In the evening, we visited the Governor, (at Benger,) and found an assembly, consisting of some of the principal people of the city. The gentlemen were engaged playing whist, with enormous tobacco-pipes of meerschaum in their mouths, smoking in the presence of the women, and spitting on the floor."-Dr. Clarke's Travels in Scandinavia.

"A German lady spits upon the floor of her apartment, even when it is covered by an expensive carpet; and many attempt to justify such a breach of good manners by urging that it is a practice tolerated even at Court.-Ibid.

"Some few things must be conceded to a Swede, and you will make him your fast friend, and the most kind-hearted and generous of men. He must be allowed to enter your apartments unbidden and unknown, upon the moment of your arrival, without any form of introduction or ceremony; to seat himself at your table; spit all over your floor; fill

But the necessaries of life are here produced in abundance, and, with very few exceptions, are within the reach of every one. I only recollect seeing three beggars since I landed.

After touching on these points, I do not feel willing to conclude my letter without reminding you of the kindness and hospitality, the good sense and intelligence, which I have every where met with; and of the frequent exhibition of philanthropic and religious feeling which has given a peculiar interest to many of the scenes through which I have passed. The American character, to be estimated correctly, must be

your chamber with tobacco-smoke; ask your name, your rank, your profession, your age, your country, your character, your business, all your pursuits and future plans; where you have been, what you are doing, and whither you are going; finally, what you think of Sweden. Having answered all these questions, sometimes without his caring at all about your replies, or attending to them, you will find yourself upon even terms with him. His house, his horses, his wine, &c. &c. and very often his purse also, are entirely at your command.”

"Some of the habits of the French women, says Matthews, must be considered as shockingly offensive. What shall we say of the spitting about the floor, which is the common practice of women as well as men, at all times and seasons; not only in domestic life, but also upon the stage, in the characters of heroes and heroines, even in high imperial tragedy." Diary of an Invalid.

The same offensive habit, I am told, very generally prevails in Spain and in Italy.

regarded as a whole; and as a whole, it has been calumniated to a degree derogatory both to the intelligence and the generosity of my country. The Americans have been exasperated into unfriendly feelings by our real jealousy and apparent contempt; and their very sensibility to our good opinion, which they cannot conceal, has rendered the misrepresentations of our travellers and journalists the more irritating. Americans have often asked me if we do not in England consider them a horde of savages; and when the question has been proposed to me by a fair lady, in a handsome drawing-room, furnished with every article of luxury which money could procure in London or Paris, I found no difficulty in acquiescing in the conclusion which she seemed to draw from a hasty glance around her, that such an idea would not be quite just. On such occasions, I have often thought how many of my candid and liberal female friends would blush, if they could be introduced for the evening, to find how erroneous were their previous ideas of trans-Atlantic society. But it is when joining in religious worship with exemplary and eminent Christians, or witnessing the extent and variety of their benevolent efforts, that I most keenly feel the apathy with which, in England, we are accustomed to regard our