State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-02-29
From the New York Observer.

DR. HUMPHREYS TOURING. 8
Some of my first impressions Of
England are already before your
readers. find several other trltles
in my note book, which perhaps are
hardly worth their attention-but
which l wish to dispose of before l
proceed to more important matters.
ENGLISH CUSTOM HOUSES.
The place where they examine
your trunks in Liverpool, is a sort
of back shed, to, l know not what,
with rude pavement for floor,
and a heavy long table, somcw hat
elevated at one end, for the conven-
fence of the inspectors who, by the
way, seem disposed to treat Ameri-
cans very civilly, provided they
show no disposition to sinuggle their
effects into his Majesty's dominions.
On one side of this dismal shed are
suspended a huge pair of balances,
the design of which nobody can
mistake. I have called this Liver
pool prison house of foreign lug
gage, a shed, for the best reason in
the world, that it is the most appro-
pirate name | can think of. l ought
to add, however, that they are now
building splendid custom house
near by.
AT the hour appointed, you go
there with your fellow passengers,
to pass the ordeal. A trunk is open
ed and box, or paper of Spanish
cigars is fshed up from the bottom.
Are these for your own private use ?
Certainly And on to the scales
they go. 'One pound 'You must
pay nine shilings, sir, and two and
sixpence for entry By and by,
your own trunks are hosted upon
the table. You have no tobucco for
his Majesty's custom house; but
you have bible and a few other
books in plain sight, with perhaps
small bundle Of temperance reports,
&c. you are liable to pay duty
on these, SIR But only brought
along half a dozen books of
my own, to read on the voyage
we can't help it; our duty is to
weigh them But such and such
volumes are for presents to my
friends in England, and the rest were
sent out by others, as presents to
their friends. Must pay for these
too| 'Certainly-the law makes no
Distinction But says one of the
officers, very politely, 'ifyou wish, |
will go with you to the Collector,
and see what he says. So to his of
fee do you repair and state your
case. With pen between his fin
gers, he looks up and hears you thro'
very patiently, and then says, 1T is
not in my power to give you any re-
lief, sir. 1 think the duty on books
ought to be taken off, but there it is,
and we must go by the law. A
friend sent me book from Ameri-
ca the other day, and had to pay
duty You return to see your books
and pamphlets fairly weighed, and
then pay your ten or twenty shil-
lings, with this consolation, that the
highest officer in the department
cannot relieve you. Now these things
are somewhat vexatious for the mo-
ment. But we have no right to com
plain. We are not obliged to 60 TO
England, or any other country, I'M
less we choose and we never visit
foreign lands, but when we think
that, all things considered, it is for
our interest to co.
ENGLISH COACHES, coACHMEN AND
GUARDS.
An English coach is a very safe, !
and upon the whole, n very comfort
able vehicle TO travel in, or rather
On-for the best seats, in fair weather
are on the top; and what stranger
would consent to be whuled over
this beautiful country, at the rate Of
ten miles an hour, shut up in a mar
row box below? Till you get fairly
seated on one Of these coaches, the |
responsibility rests entirely with
YOURSELF They never call for you