The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-29


ARE RE:PEcTFUILy DEDICATED,
MIRROR FOR sELF-Ex
THE AUTHOR.
Such, then, are the objects Of "Seatsfield''-to
present faithful pictures OF society in all Its phases,
IN this country, and TO arouse and stimulate Inc
German people, by their contemplation, to enter at
once on that career Of freedom and prosperity
which now seems opening before them 1his Is
lndeed a noble and lofty aim and It becomes
subject Of enquiry, important AS II Is interesting, TO
ascertain the capabilities which such an asPrant
possesses for the Accomplishment OF such WORK.
The work OF depicring the "men aud manners"
of the United States, has been frequently attempted
by European travellers, ind with what fidelity and
success is pretty well known Maryatt-Mrs.
Troope-Dckens, and others of that class, have
sried their hands al pictures OF the domestic and
public life of the people of this country, but they
have produced not pictures, but carlcatures, pre-
sen,ing, indeed, in Of the details some truth
albeit exaggerated, bat still nothing but Garcia
turcs They had the eyes nor the heart to
paint American character ard American society IN
their true leanenIs, aud with all their light and
shadows. Our deficiencies in what they regarded
as the refinemen,s of high cv,lizatlon-our vulga-
risms-our eccentrlc!tes-iil 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 coorng of that national pre-
isdice of which even the few English travellers
who make that effort find it SO difhcuIt-sn impos-
-sble, we had almost said, to dlvest 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. Bu. we have
still been desiring something more than tins We
have been wlshisg for faithful, spirited, and uni
versay ineligible pOitraiture of society IN this
-country-one which would present it in all its
aspccts-a lively and correct representation OF hu
man nature, as developed under the Tree lnsttu-
tons, the new circumstances, and the novel in
fuences to which it has been subjected in the
United States. And this is just what, in our
opinion, this Seatsf-ld'' has given us.
This writer appears to look on human nature with
. clear, unjaundiccd eye. lis errors, weaknesses
and folbles are not concealedbut sithfuly describ
ed Still they do not glare upon his canvass, to
the exclusion or Disagreement Of those virtues and
graccs which cnnob!e and adorn humanity. He
has very happily cau.h, the m,nutest traits in Anne
rican character; and employing the knowledge OF
it in all its developments, which shis familiar and
intimate acquaintance implies. in calm, discrim-
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 even for prejudice herself to
draw any but just and rational conclusions With
all the pecuarties Of our society, whatever their
character. whether their description may be calcu
l.ta do n. he hASQ r
q full and fair exhibition of the general happiness
and prosperity OF the people Of this country-of the
prevailing comfort and even luxury Of the modes
OF living amongst the masses--of the perfect free
dom of speech and acton enjoyed by all classes
Of the absence of multitude Of influences which
made the old despo,sms of Europe tend to depress,
hamper and degrade humanity. And thus is done
by t,se attractive medium of fictitious narrative in
Q style remarkable for its elegance, livehness and
spirit The descriptions of natural scenery are very
graphic "The first trip on the Rcd River" and
the description of the trappers, of the most
animated sketches we have ever read. And 90
with all the other portions of scenery visited by
him. Our mountains - rivers-cataracts-oc
lakes-forests, all the magnificent natural features
Of this mighty land ARE described with the most re-
mark able spirit and truth. And every where he
tobacco fumes of the Bowery Theatre do not escape
him. Just look at the inimit bic description If
humbug fashionable society in this city And
all done with such good humor-auch kindly
sprit-such entire absence of all spleen or cyni-
cisn These sketches are indeed something like
the inimitable novels of Walter Scott, or the pro-
ducuens OF the immortal Shakespeare himself -
They have much, very much OF the same generous
Prit-the same quiet humor-the same quick per-
scpton-the same almost Instructive freight 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 " Sketches OF
American Society" must be very remarkable. We
have not the slightest doubt that they have had no
inconsiderable influence ~ that tide Of emigration
which has for the last ten years borne to the shores
of the new world 80 many OF the industrious, en-
terprising and intelligent of the German people.
Germany is at this moment in a most favorable
condition for receiving the most salutary impress
sions from such wcrk The people Of that most
interesting portion OF the European continent seem
to be awakening into new lite Of energy CONNER
cal enterprise and political freedom. Already a
largely increased Of national prosperity has
resulted from this awakening. Railroads are
Spreading everywhere over the States, and other
great works Of internal Improvement are occupy
ing attention. The Zol-Vercin, or Union Of Du-
Ties, into which nearly all the States with, we be-
heve, the exception Of Austria and Hanover, have
now come, has been of immense benefit in facili-
Eating the transmission OF goods from State to
another, and the equalization of duties amongst
them. They now begin to think of extending their
commerce, and the treaty. just concluded with this
country cannot fail to be universally acceptable to
the people. Projects for the consolidation of the
whole nation, and the establishment of free gov.
eminent, discussed with increasing interest and
by far the most popular is that of free institutions
for the individual States, with " Bund. - in which
both people and princes would be represented. AZ
an arbiTating power. This, II will be Seen. would