The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1823-01-22

AFTER touching on these points, do not feel
willing to conclude my letter without remind
ing you of the kindness and hospitality, the
good sense and intelligence, which have eve
~ where met with and Of that frequent ex-
hibition Of phianthropick and religious feeling
which has given peculiar interest TO many
of the scenes through which have passed.
The American character, TO be estimated cor
rectiy, must be regarded as a whole and
as whole it has been calumniated TO de-
gree derogatory both TO the intelligence and
the generosity Of Wy country. The Ameri-
cans have been eXasperated into uniricndly
feelings by our real Jealousy and apparent
contempt and their very sensibility to our
good opinion, which they cannot conceal, has
rendered the representations of our travel
lers and Journalists the more irritating. Amer
leans have often asked me if we do not in Eng
land consider them a horde OF savsges and
when the question has been proposed to me by
a far lady, in a handsome drawing-foon furn-
ished with every article ofluXury which money
could procure in London or Paris, | found no
difficulty in acquiescing in the conclusion
which she seemed to draw from a hasty
glance around her, that such All idea would
not be quite just. On such occasions, ! have
often thought how many of my candid and
could be introduced for the evening, to end
how erroneous were their previous ideas of
trans-atlantclx society. But il is when join
ing i'll religious worship with exemplary and
eminent Christians, or witnessing the extent
and variety of their benevolent efforts, that
most keenly feel the apathy with which in
England we are accustomed to regard our
American brethren. really am not without
bot e.
ladies of the two countries to reciprocate vis-
its across the Atlantick. Then, and perhaps
not till then, viii my countrywomen learn to
do justice to their western sisters and leaV-
ing it to us, their Knights rrant, to maintain
Their own superiority, as in duty bound, will
begin 10 think it possible, at least, that ntelli-
gence, refinement and piety may combine,
even on this side of the Atlantick, TO form
characters justly entitled to esteem and affec-
ton. The supercilious dsdain with which,
in many circles, the very idea of polished So
ciety ia America is rejected, would be sup
pressed by more correct estimate of Ameri-
can manners; and prejudice would be sue
ceeded by candour and li5erality. Christian
sympathy also would be awakened towards
those unknown distant friends, who, sprung
from the same stock, and speaking the same
.
who, strangers and pilgrims on the earth, like
their European brethren and sisters, are trav-
cling thorny road to that better country,
where all true Christians will be forever unit
ed in one common family.
My very sensibihY TO the unIivalled excel
lencies of my fair countrywomen, makes me
additionally solicitous that they, at least,
should be excerpt from those unchrstan
jir- ,,b
appear to regard as proofs Of patriotism
The pleasure and exultatioa with which
have just been listening, in large party, 10
warm eulogiums on Mrs. Hannah Moore aud
Mrs. Fry, and sone other Of our Flustrious
females, have rendered ne at this moment
peculiarly susceptible on this point and you
must excuse me if write with correspond
ing earnestness. The conversation after
wards turned on the signs Of the times in both
countries and on our mInbles in Canada.
where many of the party had spent the SUM
mer. 1t was very pleasant TO compare our
adventures and impressions. Montreal and
Quebec are1.o much like old European towns,
and differ so widely fro,n the United States,
that an American feels as far from home OF
lis first arrival in Canadian city, as did
in the forests of the Mississippi. As he looks
iONhA TX icSlS IfOtS dI1f1 more III a IOT-
eign land; and the foreign language aud
gentle manners of the native Canadians con-
firm the impression. The pomp OF monarchy,
even when dimly seen in the resalia of a
viceroy the aristocratical distinctions appa-
rent even in a colony the 7estiges Of the
teudal system to be traced in the surrounding
seignories the nunneries and the Catholick
churches, with their vesper and nsatm bells;
the Cathelick cleigy walking IA tbs streets
and the boards Of pIenary Indulgence sus-
pended from the walls, are all calculated 10
recall Impressions connected rather with the
old world, than With the newly discovered
continent, where man still shares his divided
empire with the beasts Of the forest Here
no gray tower meets the eye, to call b;Yck the
Imagination to scenes and incidents of elder
times; no monasiiek edi6ces, TO revive the
memory Of ancient superatitions; no rega!ia,
transmitted through a line of kings no feudal
nagnfcence no baronal splendour no sa-
cred repositories of the ashes Of generations
who have slept with their fathers during a
thousand years all is new, fresh and prospec-
tive; and if the mind aeW take a retro
spective glance it is but to expatiate in the
regions Of fancy. or TO lose itself in the clouds
which rest on the early history Of tie aborig-
ines. But shall have tired you.