Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-08-10
IFrom tLe .N;,,ionnI Gn.e,t.


We have seen the new British work on this coun
uy, entitled " views OF Society and Manners in A.
merica, by an English woman IL is understood to
he the production of lady who visited the United
States about yea-o two ago, in company with a
Sister and without any regular companion of the other
se% She printed, II we mistake not, poeiicaI dra-
M and some other verse among It's, but did not, we
beaero, inspire the American reader with bioh
lca oil her qualifications tor that department of com
Position. her prose, IN the present volume. is far
superior 10 the poetry To which refer, and her
Rfndhessio tor America Is even beyond what could have
LIBERAL spiri; "N
She paints every thing coeur dc rose treats of our
idelecb morals, manners, education, religion, poll
tics, political history and Institutions scenery &c
ANA makes the most favorable report of us on every
topic. THIS lady is the opposite of the Fearons
Owits and all the s!anderous of vulgar BIRTHS,
travellers She is as much distinguished from then,
Is dignity OF lone aud refinement Of mental tastes and
pursuits; and by her amiabe and even enthusiastic
-ieeing towards the United States Her book will be
rfad with interest, and we think with profit, in
niiS country. The American people must he pleased
With 50 strong testimony borne in their favor al
though even the sef-compacent among them
cannot fail to deem her representations rather too
wildly and uniformly encomasc to be strictly latI,
t9
We annex some extracts from % The Views 10
eXempiiy their tenor. The amusing account of tbt,
Post bag IN the back settlements of New York. does
not appear TO be meant to disparagc the country and
y not, we aPprehcnd, liable the charge of much
exaggeration.
. The manners of the women strike me ms pecu-
lfarly marked by sweetness artlessuess and i;veli
ltess there is about them, cas, in my eyes GER
rtIn untaught grace and gaietv of the heart couay
removed from the studied English coldness and ndii-
terence, and the no less studied French vvacty and
mannerism. They enter very early into society far
too early ndced,;o be consistent with becoming At
tenton to the cultivation ofther minds The society
mean by this, that which is collected into LARGE eve
mag assemblies is almost exclusively composed of
the Unmarried Young. ought not to omit a remark
not merely the elegance ofthe dress ortlesr Young
gny creatures, hat what 10 fnr Better OF its modesy
ltmay he sometimes more shewy and costly than is
wise os '''Ttng in the daughters Of a republic but
neter mocks at dccency does that Of oar English
Itnles whc truly have often put me to the blush for
tlhir and nation"
/" have been led to expect that the citizens of
Philadelphia were less practised lin courtesy to stan.
gers ihan those Of New York. Our experience does
not confirm the remark. We have only to bear ,os-
tfnony to their ciyity. There is at first sometime
cold and precise IN the general air and manner Of the
people This GOODNESS of exterior, however wears
oil IN great measure, upon further acquaintance and
what may still remain you down TO the ruling shirt
anu phanthropic father Of the city, and respect it
=" The. children Of tie peaceful and beniqnant
William Penn, have not only Inherited the fashion OF
t1eIr patriarch garments, but his simple manners
ms active philanthropy his mild forbearanoe his pure
ana peiseYerins Charity, thinking evil, taking no
IFaiso.'
I" The americans very good takers and adj
mrable listeners understand perfectly the ex-
emDlDV
SAXON and employ 1t solely They have a SURPRISING
stock Of information, but this runs hide inio the nrc9
cincs Of imagination facts form the ground work or
their discourse. They accustomed to rest their
opinions on the results Of experience rather thar ON
ingenious theories and abstract reasoning and are
always wont 10 ovcrturn the orr b. a snnlc apuoaI
to the other. They have much general knowlcdge
bytarc best read 10 philosophy, history, political g.
economy and the general science Of government The
world, however, is the book which thev cooyidc,
most aiientigcy, aud they make general practice Of
tdfung over the PAGES Of every mans mind that
CONES across thein they do this very quietly, and We
~ clyy, and with the understanding that YOU arc nj
perfect liberty TO do the Same by hem They arc, en-.
urey mauyaisc houtc. The constant exercise Of The
reasoning powers gives 70 their characierand manners
mlldncss, planuess and unchaprtnp euavitv srcI,
az arc often remarked IN Europe in men devoted TO
nc abstract sciences. Wonderfully paian, and cam
dh in argument, close reasuners acute observers and
otigna thinkers, they understand little play OF words
% "a the Frcncl distinctly e3tres4 H. ttiinage
ibis people have nothing Of the poet IN them nor Of
tp bel esprit On the other hand, they are well in
fdtmcd and liberal philosophers, who can give Yen in
~ haIi hoT more solid instruction aud eniighien-
ed views, thnn you could receive from the FIST corps
lferaire Ct dramghque OF Europe by listening Ia tcp
whole evening II is said thai every man has his
forte and 50, perhaps, has every ration that Of the
9mencan - certainly good sense iiis sterling quail
" he current coiH % TIC country and II Is curious
70 see how immediately il tries jhc metal Of other
minds. IN truth. J know no people who sooner
make YOU sensible OF YOU own ignorance"
4" II was finely answered. by an American citizen
10 n European who, IDOking round him exclaimed
90 tC; this IS all well. You have al ihc vulgar
std she sub -lantal, bat look IN vain Tor tie orna.
mental. Where your ruins and yuur poetry ~
"'Ihere arc ruins" replied the Republican,
pointing 70 revolutionary soldier WHO was tiroi u
~ the gebe and then extending bis hand over the
pbiin that stretched before them smiling with uxur-
ant iarms aod fie valOes, popping oHt from beds Of
fcts-" There Is or poetry"
= There IS soincidiat wliy s8blims ~ tAe eder