The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-28


ness the high and meriorous object of the author,
it is proper to annex it. Here it ISL
DEDICATION.
To the German Nation,
REUSED TO THE CONSEQUENCES OF ITS POWER
AND DIGNITY.
THtsE
PlCT UREs
THE
DOMESTIC AND PUBLIC LIFE
Free Citizens Of Free State,
DESTINED TO HISTORICAL GREATNESS.
ARE RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,
MIRROR FOR DETERMINATIONS.
THE AUTHOR
Such, then. are the objects of "Seatsfeld'-to
present faithful pictures of society, in all Its phases
in this country, and to arouse and stimulate the
German people, by their contemplation, to enter at
once on that career of freedom and prosperity
which now seems opening before them. Ihls Is
indeed noble and lofty aim and 1t becomes
subject of enquiry, important as is interesting, 10
ascertain the capabilities which such an asprant
possesses for the accomplishment of such work
The work of depicting the "men and manners"
of the United States has been frequently attempted
by European travellers and with what fidelity and
success is pretty well known. Marryatt-Mrs
Trollope-Dickens, and others of that class, have
tried their hands at pictures of the domestic and
public life" Of the people of this country but they
have produced not pictures, but caricatures, pre-
sentng, indeed in some of the details some truth
albeit exaggerated, but still nothing but carlca-
lures. They had not the eyes nor the heart TO
paint American character and American society In
their true neaments, and with all their light and
shadows. Our deficiencies in what they regarded
as the refnemenls of high cvization-our vuga-
risms-Our eccentrcites-al our bizarre habits
and modes of speech-and all that, they gave with
more or less accuracy, taking care, however, to
give to the whole the cooring of that national pre-
iudce of which even the few English travellers
who make that effort, find it difficult-so impos-
sble, we had almost said, to divest themselves.
From the hands of some French travellers we
have had elaborate, and in many points of view.
just and sound philosophical dispositions on the
working of our democratic institutions, and their
influences and operations in society. But we have
still been desiring something more than this We
have been wishing for faithful, spirited and uni
versally Ineligible portraiture of society In this
country-one which would present it i'm all its
aspects-a lively and correct representation of hu
man nature, as developed under the free institu-
tons, the new circumstances, and the novel in
fueEces to which it has been subjected in the
United States. And this is just what, in our
opinion, this Seatsfield" has given us.
This writer appears TO look on human nature with
clear, unjaundced eye. Its errors, weaknesses
and foibles, are not concealed but faithfully describ
ed. Still they do not glare upon his canvass, to
the exclusion or Disagreement of those virtues and
graces which ennobe and adorn humanity. He
has very happily caught the mlnutest traits in Anne
ricsn character; and employing the knowledge of
it IN all its developments, which this familiar and
intimate acquaintance implies, in a calm, discrm-
mating and impartial spirit, he has succeeded In
giving picture whose fidelity must be universally
recognized and from the contemplation OF which
it will not be easy for prejudice herself to
draw any but just and rational conclusions. With
all the peculiarIties of our society, whatever their
character, whether their description may be calcu-
lated TO faer pride, the reverse, he has given
full and fair exhibition of the general happiness
and prosperity OF the people of this country-o OF the
prevailing comfort and even luxury of the modes
oi uving amongst the masses-of the perfect free
dom of speech and action enjoyed by all classes
q the absence of multitude of Influences which
made the old despotisms of Europe tend to depress,
hamper and degrade humanity And this is done
BY the attractive medium of fictitious narrative in
a style remarkable for its elegance llvellness and
spirit. The descriptions of natural scenery very
graphic. THE first trip on the Red River" and
the description of the rappers, is of the most
animated sketches we have read. And go
with all the other portions OF scenery visited by
him. Our mountains -rivers-cataracts-oce
lakes-forests, all the magnificent natural features
of this mighty land ARE described with the most re-
markable spirit and truth. And every where he
seems at home. Even the peanuts, the whskey and
tobacco fumes of the Bowery Theatre do not escape
him. Just look at the lnlmltable description OF
humbug fashionable society in this city And
all done with such good humor-such kindly
spirit-such entire absence of all spleen or cyni-
cism! These sketches indeed something like
the inimitable novels of Walter Scott, the pro-
ducuons OF the immortal Shakespeare himself -
They have much, very much of the same generous
epint-the same quiet humor-the same quick per-
ception-the same almost instructive insight into
the workings of the human heart, which have made
the writing OF the great Scottish novelist read and
admired all the world over.
The effect produced by these O. Sketches Of
American Society,"" must be very remarkable. We
have not the slightest doubt that they have had
inconsiderabIe influence that tide of emigration
which has for the last ten years borne to the soes
of the new world so many of the industrious, en-
terprsing, and intelligent Of the German people
Germany is at this moment in a most favorabl,
condition for receiving the most salutary impress
slons from such work. The people of that mos
interesting portion of the European continent seen
to be awakening into new lite of energy, CONNER
cial enterprise and political freedom. Already
largely increased amount of national prosperity ha
resulted from this awakening. Railroads arr
spreading everywhere over the States, and othe
great works of internal improvement are occupy
ing attention. The Zoll-Verein, or Union of Du
ties, into which nearly all the States with, we be-
lleve, the exception of Austria and Hanover, have
now come, has been of immense benefit in fac.
Ealing the transmission az adn