The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-22

quoted by that paper recognise the author from his
agreeable conversation He was well known by us during
his soourn this city, in the long session of 1916, as
a person Of gentemanly and highly cultivated
talents.
| He was a correspondent OF the London Times; and
although acquaintance with him only casual
one, he has often spoken with the great question
of free trade with ability, and Eve believe) with the
utmost sincerity He was anxious to see modification of
the tariff OF 1912
| We will not vouch for more of this work than we
have seen; but from what we know of its author, we
hope not to be disappointed in what remains behind
The tourists from Great Britain who have heretofore
written upon America viz Capt. Hall, Miss Marneau,
and Mr. Dickens it is well known would not or could
not, do justice their country credit We knew them
al-,aked freely to them all-and really expected much
more liberal of the United States than was sub
sequently found in their books. But this gentleman
seems to be almost the first British traveller who has
caught glimpse of light into the true spirit and beauty
of our institutions.
The French writers have been generally more faithful
and more liberal in their picture of country, our
people, and our laws.
From the Philadelphia Inquirer
THE WESTERN WORLD
A Book on United states.
We some time since alluded 10 the appearance OF a
powerful political pamphlet in Eng land in which the wr
ter, Alexander Mackay, esq., earnestly advocated re-
form the system of parliamentary representation Mr.
Mackay had just returned from the United States after
having closely watched The operation of the American
system and ne gave the results OF his observations IN
manner and with spirit that excited little attention
he has Just made his appearance for the second time be-
fore the British public as an author The title OF his
work is "The Western World, Travels in the Uni
ted States in and AT " and he gances social,
political, and industrial condon-furnshes facts, specu-
lations and conclusions well suited to interest not only
the reader OF the Old World, but also Of the New. Mr.
Mackay is able, liberal, and enlightened; and although
is impossible for individual, however gifted to under
stand the workings OF our system thoroughly after
residence here of only few years. it well occasionally
to notice the observations of clear headed and practical
men, not only matter of interest, but with view TO
the remedy of such evils strike strangers and escape
our own observation. MIR Mackay does justice in
general sense, admits the rapty OF growth and the
many national advantages have secured and at the
time is manly and independent in pointing out what
he regards our defects and bemshes. His book has
not yet been repubshed in this country but we may
look for cheap edition at the hands of Of
enerprising publishets.
His plan is happily adapted to combine entertainment
with instruction, and variety with concentration Having
made complete circuit OF the Union-from Boston,
and thence up the valleys of the Mississippi and the
Ohio to western Pennsy lvania the lakes, Montreal and
finally, by way of Lake Champain and the Hudson, to
New York-our author would have found little difficulty
in filling three volumes with pleasant pencilngs by the
way. He has by no neglected to give his work
the attractions derivable from sketches OF scenery and
his journey is but the France" in which he has, it
were. 'encased the solid parts Of the work" AT
each important stage OF his tour, he ases to take de.
beate survey OF that aspect of American life which
the suggestions of locality most naturally force his al
tenon, Thus, before leaving New York, the trading
metropolis of the American continent he devoes chap
ter to succinct yet comprehensive account OF the
necia progress and policy OF the United States and of
the respective views. objects, arguments, and political
o nose the four gea, h nn
and the agricultural which for upwards Of half
fury have with varying fortunes, made battle ground
of the tariffs of the Union.
The chapter entitled Life in Washington" is quite
graphic. He besows well merted eulogy on the truly
conservative virtues Of the Senate Speaking of Ameri
in the social development OF America that strikes Eu
opean different from that to which he has been
customed, he should ecollect that society in the two
hemispheres rests upon very different bases. In the Old
World, where the feudal relations are still permitted
largely to influence the arrangement OF the social SYSTEM
society presents an OF Distinct parts, each
having Its Discriminate relation to the rest, and the mem
bers of each having the range of their sympathies
fined to their particular sphere. European society,
in its different manifestations constituted, 1t were
of of different layers, which, though in close
TACT only partially fuse into each other The consequence
is that although common tie OF mutual dependence unes
the whole there is feeling pervading it each
class looking chiefly within itself for its of
oyment and Intellectual qualification, and recognising the
others political necessities than social aduncts
The sympathes Of order touch, but do not inter-
Irvine with those of another, each living within itself,
if it had interest in common with the others, and
holding little intercourse with them. This distinctive
of class also accompanied with inequality OF
position which exaggeraes the prevailing eXcusveness
and letters the general relations of society with
stran and Journalism which renders class by turns,
arrogant and awkward. and the other supercous and
condescending. Within each the social graces are more
less cultivated, and the rehnements OF life or
less displayed the constrant Is visible at tier line Of
contact, as mutual dislike often found TO pervade the
borders Of two civilized and amcable States La It's
eral aspect therefore, the internal intercourse OF Euro
psan society is less marked by kindness than by orma
al hyc Jp add