PREFACE.

THE Author of this volume had prepared materials for a much larger work than he here ventures to offer to the public.

While in Canada, and after most of his observations had been written, the Author read Mrs. Trollope's well known publication, and found it necessary, in consequence, either to abridge his plan, or to repeat what that lady had already said in a very popular and attractive style. On his return to England, Mr. Stuart's book next appeared: this also he perused, with a view that nothing contained in it might by him be needlessly repeated. He flatters himself, therefore, that what he has retained and given in the following pages, belongs pretty exclusively to his own opportunities and his subjects, and that those who have read the above works may yet peruse his with some advantage.

Sensible, however, that the period which he spent in the United States and Canada was too short to allow of such maturity to his observations, as might make them of value in the eyes of the judicious, the Author has preferred giving what he has collected in the form of

conversations on the several points of his inquiries, with known or named individuals, whose nativity to the Transatlantic soil, or long residence in the country, may entitle their statements and opinions to respect. His great aim has been authenticity, as well as that degree of novelty in respect to subject, which may be included in the nature of his professional inquiries.

The following observations, and much more, were originally conveyed in a series of letters to a friend, who deemed them of sufficient importance for publication, but with whose name the Author is not at liberty to grace his pages.

Clapham, May 1st, 1833.

BOOK I.

UNITED STATES.

CHAPTER I.

Reasons for emigrating-The Voyage, and first view of New-York -Impressions on landing, and high price of lodgings and fuel— Sickness Miscellaneous particulars, upon delivery of letters of introduction-Remarks on the Episcopal Church and Clergy in the United States-American marriage.

Ar the latter end of 1831, I left England for America, with a view of adopting the United States as my future country. My reasons for taking this step were similar to those of most emigrants. Dissatisfaction with the Government and the state of things in my own country, by which I had, as I concluded, been hitherto kept back in my fortune, and disappointed in my aims, together with a high admiration of the American Republic, formed the foundation of my reasons for emigrating.,

This admiration had been conveyed to me, in some measure, as an hereditary opinion, and was made almost sacred by parental authority. For many years before his death, my father had cherished the intention of becoming himself an American. Whenever, therefore, any real or fancied evil oppressed me, my imagi

B.

nation and my hopes took refuge among the free wilds and rising communities of the great republic.

Educated for the church, but destitute of interest or patronage, I remained a mere teacher at home, with little to encourage my ambition even in that laborious profession; although, in addition to competent classical acquirements, I had made myself master of several of the languages in the East, which are but seldom studied in England. In the United States, these advantages would, I anticipated, either be the means of introducing me into the Episcopal church, or would at least enable me to live there, in a degree of respectability which I could scarcely hope for in England. With these views I emigrated; and my observations will, therefore, be more full in reference to my own particular pursuits, than those of most travellers who have written upon the prospects of English settlers in the United States or in Canada. Circumstances, however, ultimately induced me to return and fix myself again in my native land; and I now offer to my countrymen, with all candour, and in some detail, the result of my inquiries, and the nature of my disappointments.

On the 28th of October, 1831, our ship sailed from London for Portsmouth, at which we arrived in three days, and in this latter place we were detained four days more. Setting sail again, we soon found ourselves in the wide ocean, and made the usual observations which landsmen are accustomed to make during the tedium of a voyage across the Atlantic. Many plans I had formed for industry on the passage, but I found Bishop Heber's observation correct, that a man can seldom study to much purpose at sea. Sickness first, and lassitude after, the uncongeniality and discomfort of a sea life; the weariness of its sameness, and the consequent eagerness for amusement to excite or divert the mind; together with eating, which in these circumstances is a real pleasure, and sleeping, which is a grateful oblivion-leave little

time or inclination for steady application of mind. Then we had the usual variety of weather, foul and fair; a competent share of storms and perils; and felt the customary anxiety for the termination of our voyage. My fellow-passengers were also of the mixed sort common on such occasions, some of them being English and some Americans; and their long conversations, and many arguments upon the comparative advantages of the old and new countries, served to enlighten me considerably as to what I had to expect in the trans-atlantic country. Of these conversations I took careful notes, and their substance I may have occasion to allude to in the sequel, as corroborative of my own observations.

At length, after a voyage of seven weeks, American land was discovered from the mast-head, and we soon after found ourselves approaching the portruding wharfs of New-York. It was now about the middle of December, and the severity of the American climate began to be sensibly felt by most of us.

The first glimpse we had of trans-atlantic land was reflected from snow-clad hills. A biting frosty wind also, blowing from the coast, conveyed anticipations of what we might experience on shore. During all the voyage, till three days before our arrival, there had been no fire in the cabin; but the intensity of cold was at last so great, that fire could no longer be dispensed with. When the vessel had approached near enough for a signal to be made, a gun was fired for a steam-boat to tow us to the wharf. After one had arrived, we ascended rapidly and smoothly that delightful harbour. Several picturesque islands, crowned with batteries, appeared in different directions, but as a deep covering of snow overspread the landscape, the natural beauties of the harbour were indistinctly visible. The vessel was soon at the landing-place. Most of the passengers, among whom was myself, quitted the place of our long incarceration, and by one leap found ourselves at large in the land