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CHARACTER OF THE AUTHOR.

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my flirtations, as is always the case in the United States, ended in a most sensible manner, and on that account are not likely to interest an European reader. The first lady sent me word by her servant not to trouble myself with writing her any more letters, as she was determined to send them back unopened. The second gave me a verbal warning in these terms:-'I am sorry you should be in love with me, because papa and mamma think it all nonsense; I do not say this to hurt your feelings, but merely to prevent you from taking any unnecessary steps in the matter. I shall, nevertheless, be always happy to see you as a friend.' And the third ended in the most legitimate manner,—in my marriage. I think my sketches of fashionable. parties, and in general of the character and principles of our first society,' are much more likely to give satisfaction: only soften them down a little for the sake of Judge Lynch it would break my heart to see you tarred and feathered. As regards my account of American statesmen and politicians, you

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must calculate your chances of a duel. Α Southerner will fight three times as quick as a Northerner; but the Northerner will never forgive you. Be careful how you repeat what I have said about parsons; they have more power in the United States than in any other country. They have the power of breaking any man they please; for they possess the most complete control over the women. I have, in this respect, always been of Jean Paul Richter's opinion, who despised the paternoster globule of piety,' as much as empty bubbles of worldly prudence.' But you know my religious sentiments, and are best able to judge whether I deserve the name of a Christian. If I have sometimes been severe upon Unitarianism and Dr. Channing, it is because I hate cant in any shape, and would oppose any man that would constitute himself moral pope of the community. The Bostonians, who, according to their own confession, are a 'people full of notions,' are always ready to deify a man that 'captivates their fancy; and accordingly have within the

CHARACTER OF THE AUTHOR.

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narrow confines of their city a whole Olympus of gods and goddesses, of which the reverend Socinian is the Jupiter tonans. But But you will best know how to manage these matters only one thing, forgive the vanity of an author! -you must promise me as a conditio sine quâ

non."

"And what is that ?"

"Not to make such a thing of it as Fanny Kemble's journal;—that is, not to strike out three-fourths of the book, and then publish the rest all dashes and stars."

I gave him my word to leave as few stories untold as possible, and, in general, to stick to my text as far as was consistent with prudence; after which he quietly sneaked off to his office, leaving me to do the best with the manuscript. And now, gentle reader, it is for you to judge whether I have abused the confidence of my friend.

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young travelled Americans. - Their notions of Politics, Negroes, and Women.

"He cannot be a perfect man,

Not being try'd and tutor'd in the world:
Experience is by industry achiev'd,

And perfected by the swift course of time." SHAKSPEARE.—Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act I. Scene 3.

SOME years ago, early of a fine morning in the month of July, I was sauntering with some Southern friends down Broadway towards the Battery, which forms the eastern extremity of the city of New York. The night had been most uncomfortably hot, the thermometer ranging above 90°, and the sun's lurid glare, produced by a thick heavy misť, the usual companion of a sultry day in Ame

WALK TO THE BATTERY.

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rica, gave to the sleeping city the appearance of a general conflagration.

As long as we were in Broadway, not a breath of air was stirring, and respiration really difficult; but, when we arrived at the Bowling Green, a delicious sea-breeze imparted new vigour to our exhausted frames, and increased gradually as we were approaching the Battery. Arrived at this beautiful spot, the air was quite refreshing, and the view one of the finest I ever beheld. The harbour was covered with sails, a rich verdure overspread the neighbouring hills and islands, and the mingled waters of the ocean and the Hudson, gently rippled by the breeze, tremblingly reflected the burning orb of day.

"What a delicious spot this is!" said I; "there is nothing equal to it in any part of the Union!"

"Certainly not," said one of my companions, who had stopped to survey the beauty of the landscape; "yet how many Americans do you think enjoy it ?"

"It is certainly not a very fashionable place," said I.

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