The Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1850-1852, 1850-12-26
SOMETHING TO BE READ
AND REMEMBERED.
BT A. J. DOWNING.

Now, there is curious but indisput.
able fact, (somebody must say it,. touch
ing our present condition and appear
anre, as a nation Of men, women and
children, in which we Americans COM
pare most unia,orably with the people
Of Europe, and especially those of
Northern Europe, or in England and
France, for example. 1t is neither in
religion or morality. law or liberty. In
these great essentials every American
feels that his country is tic birthplace
OF larger number Of robust and heal
thy souls than any other But in the
bodily condition, the signs # physical
health, and all that constitutes the out
ward aspect Of the men and women Of
the United States, our conntrymen com
pare most unfa,orably with all bu, the
absolutely starving classes on the other
side Of the Atlantic. SO completely is
this the fact, tia! though we are uncOn-
scous OF it home, the first things
pecally Of late Which strikes
an American returning from abroad, is
the pale and sickly countcnauce Of his
friends, acquainiances, and almost every
one he meets in TIE streets of large
towns every other man looking as If
he had lately recovered from fl, Of
sickness. The men look so pale, and
the more vigorous physical condition Of
transatlantic men and women, scarcely
credits the assertion Of old acquaintan-
ces, when they assure him that they
were "ncvcr better in their lives
With tbi. sort Of impression work.
ing on our mind, on returning from Eu-
rope lately, we fancied it worth our
while to plunge two or three hundred
mile snio the State Of New York. j,
would be pleasant, We thought, TO see
not only the rich forest scenery opened
by the new railroad TO Lake Erie, but
also-for we felt confident they were
there--some good, hearty. frrsh.lookiua
lads and lasscs among the farmers sons
and daughter.
We were for the most part di'ap-
pointed. Certainly the men, especially
the young men. who live mostly in the
open air, are healthy and robust. Bot
tie daughters "i the farmers, thcy ATE
as delicate and pale rs lilies Of the val
ley. or fine ladies o. The Fifth Avenue.
II one catches the g!impse Of rose in
their cheek, i, j, III. pale rose Of th"
hoi-house, and not The fresh glow of the
garden dama,k. Alas, We soon di.cov-
, cred the reason. They, too, live for
seven months of the year IN unventl'a,-
ed rooms, heated Nv close s,nyess The
freplaces ere closed up, aud ruddy coin
pleaiuns have vanished with them. Oc-
cssionaliy, indeed, one meets with an
exception; some tr,2ht-eyed. youn.
rustic Hebe. whose rosy chee Is, and
round elastic figure, would max, you
believe that the world has -, grown
" delicate :" and Il you inquire. y5u will
! learn probably thai she IL one Ot those
whose natural kpiflis force lheIn ou: con-
,!nually III The open air. 70 IN ihn Nay
escaped auy considerable doses Of the
: national poison.
Now we are fairly afoai on tins dan
acrous - a. Se must unbaHhen our hear
sufficiently to say iha, neither in Eng
Land nor France one does not meet viii,
- much beauty certainly no., 10 ia'
as charming eyes ard enpres,iye facet
60 toward, constructing beaty--as ID
America. bu, alas, on the other hand. IA
compared With The elastic figure ai.t
Leal,hfh frames Of those st,osd, Amer
,nan beauty is as evenesosni ~ a dis
solving vie ", eon'-as,ed With real anc
..,in; and cspe VIII" ia vna Us