of his politeness. How much then must it be increased when a person behaves as this gentleman did to me!

I several times witnessed a trait of politeness of a very striking kind. On calling at a house after the family have dined, they have had a cloth spread for me, and that I might feel myself thoroughly comfortable, one of them has taken a seat at the table and eaten a little to bear me company. I remember an instance of this in the mother of the family at New York, with whom, as I mentioned in the preceding chapter, I unexpectedly contracted a warm friendship. She was one of the politest women I met in the United States, or indeed have met in the course of my life. But hardly any of the numerous cases of politeness I received, is more strongly impressed on my memory, than one which occurred to me at a time when my feelings were painfully excited by distressing intelligence of a domestic nature. I called at a house to which I had before been introduced, when on mentioning the circumstance, such sympathy was manifested as was truly grateful and consolatory. A lady put into my hands a short poem suitable to the occasion, and endeavoured to make me feel as lightly as possible the cause of my affliction. The polite

ness shown in the moments of gaiety is pleasing; that in those of sadness tends to excite gratitude.

Lest the accounts I have given should however lead to the supposition that nothing but politeness prevails amongst the upper class in America, I must state that I met with two instances of repulsive coldness in gentlemen to whom I delivered introductory letters, though these letters were from a high quarter, and that one of the members of Congress behaved like a brute. Some travellers would probably dwell on such behaviour with malignancy, and exhibit it as a specimen of the national character. This however would be evidently unjust; for in all countries, there will be some of manners below the general standard. Where that standard, as in America, is high, the contrast becomes more striking. If their politeness is in any respect deficient, it is as it respects gentility. It is plain that they do not, in general, understand the art of doing little things with grace. I could not but notice that when as a mark of respect, some small present was tendered to my acceptance, it was not done in that captivating manner which imparts value to a trifle for the sake of the donor; yet in minute attentions they are not backward. No person of proper

sensibility can mix in American society of the better sort, without feeling the spring of gratitude, affection and cheerfulness. Where politeness is joined to other good and amiable qualities, how can it be otherwise?

Those who are unwilling to admit that the Americans are deserving of praise for their politeness, will perhaps urge that the instances I have given, are rather those of civility than politeness. But I confess that I cannot consent to consider them in that character solely. Civility may certainly be a constituent in the behaviour of one who knows not how to be polite, but when civility is shown by little acts of kindness which are prompted by a desire to please, and is united to suavity, it would be unjust to deny that it is entitled to be called politeness. This is the description of American politeness which is most generally visible. Whether it would be improved by the addition of complimentary gesture is a matter of taste; but that it is not deficient in the more essential requisites I must maintain. I saw several whose manners would, I believe, be admired in any court of Europe, provided that the fact of their being Americans was unknown; for many persons seem to have adopted the idea that republicanism and

refinement in manners are incompatible, an error which a short visit to the United States is sufficient to dissipate.

Perhaps I cannot more strikingly illustrate the effects of their politeness in conjunction with other good and amiable qualities, than by adding, that on taking leave of many of them, I felt a wish arise in my heart, that our acquaintance might be renewed in a higher and better state of existence. I remember that on one such occasion, Addison's Vision of Mirza occurred to my recollection, particularly the part where the Genius asks Mirza, if the habitations he had viewed were not objects worthy of his ambition. My heart responded, that the hope of enjoying everlasting happiness with some of the characters I have mentioned, was indeed a sufficient stimulus to become a candidate for the favour of Heaven.

M

CHAPTER XII.

RELIGION.

THE importance of religion in civil society is too great not to demand great attention. No people, except perhaps the savages of Australia, have ever existed uninfluenced by religion of some kind. The characters of nations have been changed by it, and its revolutions have been as great as those of governments. In America, its effects, though similar to those it has produced in England, are not so exactly correspondent as to be passed over unnoticed.

Assemblies of almost every denomination of Christians exist in the United States, generally in harmony. No religion being in alliance with the government, one great cause of jealousy and dislike is removed. No large endowments being in possession of any denomination, and the incomes of the clergy being regulated in nearly all cases by their congregations, but little disparity of station in society exists amongst them. Hence the proud, consequential air so obvious in some of the English clergy, is seldom or neNor is there much appearance of dif

ver seen.