travelling in a puWie’ ©Qac^j éöèi^Bot|gité 'a Ëfttis*
factory opportunity, to observe the »covrntry; exhibits an asscmfetagii
of many strange characters,, whog often sta-OUgly display their mode
of thinking, and which a stranger- would haVe ' no opportunity « f
learning, nor would wish'jfo«hayUMflrthör;thaïi the: time »occupied
by a few stages affords, thóugh-»at other times;he meets there with?
Company.w^i^hyis really ant^esting «ndopleasant; foyiall %ese?di«fe
ferent. circumstances, I.ha^f dbundy AM ithe,inhabitants ' pfithe
United Stajes., as .they happen .to descend: from English, Gerhiah,
or Effincbbfamilies, so; Aheyi still possess the most striking marks
of all the good qualities and faults of those nations.Itsisjfeife
the.. Americans JliiAbgir different pursuits -to. make ?rapid fértdhës,
shew a greaterj-exeess g of speeulationfthan lany“’ of ithe other nations.;
but this can onlyiih&'attrihuted to 4ho?ptq|enkf statei of"
their,.country, where many, branches for accumulating wealth
stand in needi.of great improvements; wherefore a n ; enterprising
undertaking, has often, been rewarded* by a j considerable; and
quick return of profit, whilst others, stimulated by such examples,
have, flattered; themselves, that by. imaginary^plans, they may!acquire.
;an equal, goodj success* . But; in - the course; of ;tilne a more
steady .industry »jpfi gradually diminish those rhazardous speculations.
The great inclination which the people of thi&; countryiba^ for
disputing bn political matters, is sometimes very unpleasant': in
stage coaches, or at the table of the hotel, 1 have ^always declined
entering into those discourses; but in private company. it js not
always possible to ayoid i t : they are not Content with praising their
own constitution, but; they attack the principles of other governments,
of which.they have often very, little information; and they
are »even .much displeased with ;those who wish to change the
conversation to other subjects, and they will declare -it unnecessary
to observe .S0j much reserve * of opinion in this land of liberty.
To* all this myan^wer haAibben, W'ell then-, sir, Vour will 'admit
that -S^^Dverffment is'*go(^A>ff'-.ifc agrees best with the" local1 situation*
of tkeHchüntryj and its: inhabitants ; - wherefore^! it requires a
‘p'èf fegff knöWl#d^ofthatfertipire and its- hation^ÈO'béable' tb judge
óf the pröper^prob#êdrhg^ öfiith&Ê government; for regulations
which.ar'e*very usefüf fór one nation, might be'^èfy 'destructive if
they'w^é adopted* tey*‘ another. TO igbino1 farther in~details onI this
subjëèt/;wè-at leash both agi-eeitb* be« eaêlf o f iüsïfiiuch atfabhëd to
our country, andrto be ebutént uridepfour government.”’
'AnotheTi^ntlefoanV-wlao was »from Providence,* said,'they had
established a law-, that a nobleman who) intends to.* become a citizen
amongst: them, is >fo renoufibe.his title for himself and his'süccessors.
Yotmo nobleman has a.right to dispose1 of the claim of his succes-
ilfJrSsfi Manr^ bfefhfoSnhabitantSaofïthe' United' States have a"yéfy
extraordinary idea respecting-mobility,« and think that vanity is always
united; with that order ;i*but in whatkfoesinpbility principally
Consist ? It is a reward of honour bestowed on distinguished merit to
a eitiib#i& When; therefore; a nobleman: esteems fhis ancestor "who
brought the title to his family, beds also to esteem in him the eiti-
,zen., Therefore, if a nobleman is possessed of vanity, it cannot be
attributed-to his title; but must originate rather from that selfish
pride by which:;the greatest part of mankind is so muchrihfected,
through all its "different classes and stations indiscriininatelyj and
only changes the name, though thé sentiment is the same in effect.
Did not the vanity of Diogènés exceed the* ambition of even Alexander
the Great ?;. And whentthis- prince gave »him an opportunity
of<asking a favour,. whieh»he might have employed for the benefit
of. his| countrythen in a declining state, he made no use of it, and
only foE.:thet;sake offlattering his: pride, !whilst the maxims of the
true philosopher is, never to fall into extremes. ■ r ■
The truemeri t ibf a nobleman is to-follow; the example of his ancestor,
and endeavour to be as meritorious to his government and