"There goes an Englishman;" on which he told the boy that he was not an Englishman but an American. The boy begged his pardon, saying, that he certainly had taken him for an Englishman, but hoped he had not given offence. The other gentleman said that as he was at Dieppe, a man accosted him as an Englishman, who on being told that he was an American, exclaimed, “So much the better." So little had these two travellers learnt of French habits and manners, that they actually related these anecdotes to me to prove the superior estimation in which American citizens are held on the continent of Europe! Now when patriotism gives birth to vanity like this, it becomes as ridiculous, as under due regulations it is noble.

Though the Americans are generally patriotic to bigotry, I met, as might be supposed, with some amongst them who manifested a totally different feeling. One gentleman, whom I met at York in Pennsylvania, expressed himself so dissatisfied with the country, that I told him I did not admire his want of patriotism. In reply, he said that he had been in France, which country he so much loved that he cared nothing about his own. If he had adopted France as his permanent abode, he would have been right in at

taching himself more strongly to it than to his native country; though even in such a case, I should think it rather unnatural in him to feel no regard for the latter. But the opinion, that it is right or justifiable to be careless of the welfare of a nation of which we are a component part, is not apprehensible by me. Two persons at Boston with whom I got acquainted, expressed themselves in language not quite so unpatriotic as in the last cited case, but with little affection for their country. Another at Albany was of sentiments apparently correspondent. But the bitterest spirit against America which I any where witnessed, was in an Englishman resident in Philadelphia, who though a naturalized citizen, was displeased with the climate, the govern ment, the people, the laws, and the administration of justice; and yet he had been thirty years settled in the country. Several other of my countrymen told me they should be glad to return home, and intended it at a future time, but spoke with a due appreciation of America and her citizens. I am glad to be able to state, that most of those who manifested a hatred of America, were persons who left England from a similar hatred.

CHAPTER X.

HOSPITALITY.

HOSPITALITY is a quality generally to be found amongst the inhabitants of thinly-peopled countries. Pastoral nations, as the Hebrews of old, and the Arabs and Tartars of the present day, have always been distinguished for their readiness to receive the wayfaring man under their roof. The reason for it may be found in the paucity of travellers, and the consequent want of inns. The sight and conversation of a stranger are pleasing to persons living in such countries, to a degree of which city residents can from their own experience form no idea. But when citizens are charged, as they often are, with a want of hospitality, due allowance is not made for the circumstances attending their situation. Where the number of strangers is great, and the public accommodations are handsome, how can it be expected that a stranger should be noticed? Accordingly, the rule in cities is to be free from any obligation to notice strangers unless furnished with introductory letters: and when such letters are satisfactory, citizens are seldom behind

hand in kind attentions. But so truly hospitable are the Americans, that even in cities I received the most flattering attentions from persons to whom I was a total stranger, without being furnished with any introduction. Wherever I went in town or country I met with friends. My feelings of gratitude therefore induce me to give a number of instances. And as I shall mingle particulars illustrative of the habits and manners of the people, I doubt not that the recital will be interesting to all my readers.

Soon after I landed at New York, I fell accidentally into conversation with a lawyer, whom I met at a house where I called on business. Learning that I was an Englishman just arrived, he made numerous enquiries respecting England, and conducting me to his house, invited me to spend the evening with him. I accepted the invitation, and passed the time in that agreeable manner, which conversation with intelligent persons generally produces. Being about to leave the city, he requested me on my return to call and see him again. I did so; and was received with the same kind attention as before. And on my reaching New York a third time, I renewed my acquaintance with him and still found him disposed to gratify and oblige me. On one oc

casion, he took me a ride into the country; and stopping at a farm-house on our return, he introduced me to the farmer and his wife, by whom we were invited to tea. We remained with them about two hours and were regaled with raspberries and cream. Our ride, which was on Long Island, was a particularly pleasant one, it being in the early part of summer, when the landscape is green. In short, this gentleman was so polite and attentive, that I avoided calling on him, not liking to receive so many favours from one to whom I could not make an adequate return.

As I was in a bookseller's shop at Albany, a gentleman present asked me some question concerning a book on the shelf, and in replying, finding it necessary to refer to England, he asked if I had been in England; and on learning that I was an Englishman who was but recently come into the country, he furnished me with his address, and requested my company. I went to call upon him the following evening, but there being another person of his name in the same street, I went to the wrong house. Owing to a curious circumstance, I did not discover my mistake for nearly a quarter of an hour; for I supposed that the person I was speaking to, was an inmate of the house, and not the master. How