MODERN VOYAGES AND TRAVELS. CHAPTER I. Preliminary Observations Mr. Cobbett on the Manners, &c. of the People of America-Diet - Hospitality Good-humoured Females - No Peasantry Excessive drinking condemned Plenty, the Source of Domestic Happiness Manner of Living in the Country-HuntingNo Coursing Birds, &c. Dogs not relied on -Mr. J. Palmer - New York-The Fulton Steam Frigate Streets-City Hall --State Prison Frame Houses-Markets-Coaches -Sleighs Climate-Water-State of Morals, Police, &c. Philadelphia, Observations on entering, by Mr. Palmer--Public Buildings—The Franklin Library-State of Literature-Academy of Fine Arts-Hospitals -Churches-Peel's Museum--Vauxhall Funerals-Religious Controversy-People of Colour-Fanaticism-Climate-Poor Laws-Police-Fires-Volunteers-HolidaysCauses of Emigration—Fashions-Population. THE following pages will amply evince, that America has not, without reason, been remarked as one of the most singular countries that ever attracted the attention of the philosopher or historian. We see in it at AMERICA. B one moment those particular conditions and pursuits of the human being, which in other parts of the world have only characterized ages by long intervals of time. We have the hunter in a pure state of savagism, eating the flesh of his prey, and covering his body with the skins: we have next the shepherd state displayed to our view, in circumstances a little modified, no doubt, by the habits of civilized life: we behold the agriculturist, too, in the rudest condition of social intercourse, joining with his fellows in the construction of huts and villages, to procure protection against the wild beast or the roving barbarian ; and, lastly, we have to contemplate man as the inhabitant of towns and cities, engaged in commerce, cultivating the arts, studying the elegancies and luxuries of polished society, and devoting his mind to the pursuits of science or the love of glory. Mr. Cobbett, treating of the manners, customs, and character of the people of America, asserts their general resemblance to those of England. The French call this people Les Anglo-Américains. Here, it is remarked, few persons are much raised in men's estimation above the general mass; as having immense fortunes does very little indeed in the way of purchasing even the outward signs of respect; and as to adulation, it is not to be obtained for love or money. Men, be what they may, are generally called by their two names. The boasting of wealth, and the endeavouring to disguise poverty, are two acts almost total strangers in America; in fact, no man dreads the effects of poverty, because they are not common or conspicuous. At a gentleman's house in the country, Mr. Cobbett observes, when the hogs are killed for the year, the house is full of work: the sides are salted down as pork, the hams are smoked, the lean meats are made into sausages; some families make about two hundred weight. These, with broiled fish, eggs, dried |