第14章
加入书架 A- A+
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  Publicopinionhailedthisdoctrinewithahowlofwildapplause,andsettheprisonersfree,towalkthecity,menofmark,andinfluence,andstation,astheyhadbeenbefore。

  Publicopinion!whatclassofmenhaveanimmensepreponderanceovertherestofthecommunity,intheirpowerofrepresentingpublicopinioninthelegislature?theslave-owners。TheysendfromtheirtwelveStatesonehundredmembers,whilethefourteenfreeStates,withafreepopulationnearlydouble,returnbutahundredandforty-two。Beforewhomdothepresidentialcandidatesbowdownthemosthumbly,onwhomdotheyfawnthemostfondly,andforwhosetastesdotheycaterthemostassiduouslyintheirservileprotestations?Theslave-ownersalways。

  Publicopinion!hearthepublicopinionofthefreeSouth,asexpressedbyitsownmembersintheHouseofRepresentativesatWashington。\'Ihaveagreatrespectforthechair,\'quothNorthCarolina,\'Ihaveagreatrespectforthechairasanofficerofthehouse,andagreatrespectforhimpersonally;nothingbutthatrespectpreventsmefromrushingtothetableandtearingthatpetitionwhichhasjustbeenpresentedfortheabolitionofslaveryinthedistrictofColumbia,topieces。\'-\'Iwarntheabolitionists,\'saysSouthCarolina,\'ignorant,infuriatedbarbariansastheyare,thatifchanceshallthrowanyofthemintoourhands,hemayexpectafelon\'sdeath。\'-\'LetanabolitionistcomewithinthebordersofSouthCarolina,\'criesathird;mildCarolina\'scolleague;\'andifwecancatchhim,wewilltryhim,andnotwithstandingtheinterferenceofallthegovernmentsonearth,includingtheFederalgovernment,wewillHANGhim。\'

  Publicopinionhasmadethislaw-IthasdeclaredthatinWashington,inthatcitywhichtakesitsnamefromthefatherofAmericanliberty,anyjusticeofthepeacemaybindwithfettersanynegropassingdownthestreetandthrusthimintojail:nooffenceontheblackman\'spartisnecessary。Thejusticesays,\'I

  choosetothinkthismanarunaway:\'andlockshimup。Publicopinionimpowersthemanoflawwhenthisisdone,toadvertisethenegrointhenewspapers,warninghisownertocomeandclaimhim,orhewillbesoldtopaythejailfees。Butsupposingheisafreeblack,andhasnoowner,itmaynaturallybepresumedthatheissetatliberty。No:HEISSOLDTORECOMPENSEHISJAILER。Thishasbeendoneagain,andagain,andagain。Hehasnomeansofprovinghisfreedom;hasnoadviser,messenger,orassistanceofanysortorkind;noinvestigationintohiscaseismade,orinquiryinstituted。He,afreeman,whomayhaveservedforyears,andboughthisliberty,isthrownintojailonnoprocess,fornocrime,andonnopretenceofcrime:andissoldtopaythejailfees。Thisseemsincredible,evenofAmerica,butitisthelaw。

  Publicopinionisdeferredto,insuchcasesasthefollowing:

  whichisheadedinthenewspapers:-

  \'INTERESTINGLAW-CASE。

  \'AninterestingcaseisnowontrialintheSupremeCourt,arisingoutofthefollowingfacts。AgentlemanresidinginMarylandhadallowedanagedpairofhisslaves,substantialthoughnotlegalfreedomforseveralyears。Whilethusliving,adaughterwasborntothem,whogrewupinthesameliberty,untilshemarriedafreenegro,andwentwithhimtoresideinPennsylvania。Theyhadseveralchildren,andlivedunmolesteduntiltheoriginalownerdied,whenhisheirattemptedtoregainthem;butthemagistratebeforewhomtheywerebrought,decidedthathehadnojurisdictioninthecase。THEOWNERSEIZEDTHEWOMANANDHERCHILDRENITSTHE

  NIGHT,ANDCARRIEDTHEMTOMARYLAND。\'

  \'Cashfornegroes,\'\'cashfornegroes,\'\'cashfornegroes,\'istheheadingofadvertisementsingreatcapitalsdownthelongcolumnsofthecrowdedjournals。Woodcutsofarunawaynegrowithmanacledhands,crouchingbeneathabluffpursuerintopboots,who,havingcaughthim,graspshimbythethroat,agreeablydiversifythepleasanttext。Theleadingarticleprotestsagainst\'thatabominableandhellishdoctrineofabolition,whichisrepugnantaliketoeverylawofGodandnature。\'Thedelicatemamma,whosmilesheracquiescenceinthissprightlywritingasshereadsthepaperinhercoolpiazza,quietsheryoungestchildwhoclingsaboutherskirts,bypromisingtheboy\'awhiptobeatthelittleniggerswith。\'-Butthenegroes,littleandbig,areprotectedbypublicopinion。

  Letustrythispublicopinionbyanothertest,whichisimportantinthreepointsofview:first,asshowinghowdesperatelytimidofthepublicopinionslave-ownersare,intheirdelicatedescriptionsoffugitiveslavesinwidelycirculatednewspapers;

  secondly,asshowinghowperfectlycontentedtheslavesare,andhowveryseldomtheyrunaway;thirdly,asexhibitingtheirentirefreedomfromscar,orblemish,oranymarkofcruelinfliction,astheirpicturesaredrawn,notbylyingabolitionists,butbytheirowntruthfulmasters。

  Thefollowingareafewspecimensoftheadvertisementsinthepublicpapers。Itisonlyfouryearssincetheoldestamongthemappeared;andothersofthesamenaturecontinuetobepublishedeveryday,inshoals。

  \'Ranaway,NegressCaroline。Hadonacollarwithoneprongturneddown。\'

  \'Ranaway,ablackwoman,Betsy。Hadanironbaronherrightleg。\'

  \'Ranaway,thenegroManuel。Muchmarkedwithirons。\'

  \'Ranaway,thenegressFanny。Hadonanironbandaboutherneck。\'

  \'Ranaway,anegroboyabouttwelveyearsold。Hadroundhisneckachaindog-collarwith\"DeLampert\"engravedonit。\'

  \'Ranaway,thenegroHown。Hasaringofirononhisleftfoot。

  Also,Grise,HISWIFE,havingaringandchainontheleftleg。\'

  \'Ranaway,anegroboynamedJames。Saidboywasironedwhenheleftme。\'

  \'Committedtojail,amanwhocallshisnameJohn。Hehasaclogofirononhisrightfootwhichwillweighfourorfivepounds。\'

  \'Detainedatthepolicejail,thenegrowench,Myra。HasseveralmarksofLASHING,andhasironsonherfeet。\'

  \'Ranaway,anegrowomanandtwochildren。Afewdaysbeforeshewentoff,Iburntherwithahotiron,ontheleftsideofherface。ItriedtomaketheletterM。\'

  \'Ranaway,anegromannamedHenry;hislefteyeout,somescarsfromadirkonandunderhisleftarm,andmuchscarredwiththewhip。\'

  \'Onehundreddollarsreward,foranegrofellow,Pompey,40yearsold。Heisbrandedontheleftjaw。\'

  \'Committedtojail,anegroman。Hasnotoesontheleftfoot。\'

  \'Ranaway,anegrowomannamedRachel。Haslostallhertoesexceptthelargeone。\'

  \'Ranaway,Sam。Hewasshotashorttimesincethroughthehand,andhasseveralshotsinhisleftarmandside。\'

  \'Ranaway,mynegromanDennis。Saidnegrohasbeenshotintheleftarmbetweentheshoulderandelbow,whichhasparalysedthelefthand。\'

  \'Ranaway,mynegromannamedSimon。Hehasbeenshotbadly,inhisbackandrightarm。\'

  \'Ranaway,anegronamedArthur。Hasaconsiderablescaracrosshisbreastandeacharm,madebyaknife;lovestotalkmuchofthegoodnessofGod。\'

  \'Twenty-fivedollarsrewardformymanIsaac。Hehasascaronhisforehead,causedbyablow;andoneonhisback,madebyashotfromapistol。\'

  \'Ranaway,anegrogirlcalledMary。Hasasmallscaroverhereye,agoodmanyteethmissing,theletterAisbrandedonhercheekandforehead。\'

  \'Ranaway,negroBen。Hasascaronhisrighthand;histhumbandforefingerbeinginjuredbybeingshotlastfall。Apartofthebonecameout。Hehasalsooneortwolargescarsonhisbackandhips。\'

  \'Detainedatthejail,amulatto,namedTom。Hasascarontherightcheek,andappearstohavebeenburnedwithpowderontheface。\'

  \'Ranaway,anegromannamedNed。Threeofhisfingersaredrawnintothepalmofhishandbyacut。Hasascaronthebackofhisneck,nearlyhalfround,donebyaknife。\'

  \'Wascommittedtojail,anegroman。SayshisnameisJosiah。Hisbackverymuchscarredbythewhip;andbrandedonthethighandhipsinthreeorfourplaces,thusJM。Therimofhisrightearhasbeenbitorcutoff。\'

  \'Fiftydollarsreward,formyfellowEdward。Hehasascaronthecornerofhismouth,twocutsonandunderhisarm,andtheletterEonhisarm。\'

  \'Ranaway,negroboyEllie。Hasascarononeofhisarmsfromthebiteofadog。\'

  \'Ranaway,fromtheplantationofJamesSurgette,thefollowingnegroes:Randal,hasoneearcropped;Bob,haslostoneeye;

  KentuckyTom,hasonejawbroken。\'

  \'Ranaway,Anthony。Oneofhisearscutoff,andhislefthandcutwithanaxe。\'

  \'FiftydollarsrewardforthenegroJimBlake。Hasapiececutoutofeachear,andthemiddlefingerofthelefthandcutofftothesecondjoint。\'

  \'Ranaway,anegrowomannamedMaria。Hasascarononesideofhercheek,byacut。Somescarsonherback。\'

  \'Ranaway,theMulattowenchMary。Hasacutontheleftarm,ascarontheleftshoulder,andtwoupperteethmissing。\'

  Ishouldsay,perhaps,inexplanationofthislatterpieceofdescription,thatamongtheotherblessingswhichpublicopinionsecurestothenegroes,isthecommonpracticeofviolentlypunchingouttheirteeth。Tomakethemwearironcollarsbydayandnight,andtoworrythemwithdogs,arepracticesalmosttooordinarytodeservemention。

  \'Ranaway,mymanFountain。Hasholesinhisears,ascarontherightsideofhisforehead,hasbeenshotinthehindpartofhislegs,andismarkedonthebackwiththewhip。\'

  \'TwohundredandfiftydollarsrewardformynegromanJim。Heismuchmarkedwithshotinhisrightthigh。Theshotenteredontheoutside,halfwaybetweenthehipandkneejoints。\'

  \'Broughttojail,John。Leftearcropt。\'

  \'Takenup,anegroman。Isverymuchscarredaboutthefaceandbody,andhastheleftearbitoff。\'

  \'Ranaway,ablackgirl,namedMary。Hasascaronhercheek,andtheendofoneofhertoescutoff。\'

  \'Ranaway,myMulattowoman,Judy。Shehashadherrightarmbroke。\'

  \'Ranaway,mynegroman,Levi。Hislefthandhasbeenburnt,andI

  thinktheendofhisforefingerisoff。\'

  \'Ranaway,anegroman,NAMEDWASHINGTON。Haslostapartofhismiddlefinger,andtheendofhislittlefinger。\'

  \'Twenty-fivedollarsrewardformymanJohn。Thetipofhisnoseisbitoff。\'

  \'Twenty-fivedollarsrewardforthenegroslave,Sally。WalksAS

  THOUGHcrippledintheback。\'

  \'Ranaway,JoeDennis。Hasasmallnotchinoneofhisears。\'

  \'Ranaway,negroboy,Jack。Hasasmallcropoutofhisleftear。\'

  \'Ranaway,anegroman,namedIvory。Hasasmallpiececutoutofthetopofeachear。\'

  Whileuponthesubjectofears,ImayobservethatadistinguishedabolitionistinNewYorkoncereceivedanegro\'sear,whichhadbeencutoffclosetothehead,inageneralpostletter。Itwasforwardedbythefreeandindependentgentlemanwhohadcausedittobeamputated,withapoliterequestthathewouldplacethespecimeninhis\'collection。\'

  Icouldenlargethiscataloguewithbrokenarms,andbrokenlegs,andgashedflesh,andmissingteeth,andlaceratedbacks,andbitesofdogs,andbrandsofred-hotironsinnumerable:butasmyreaderswillbesufficientlysickenedandrepelledalready,Iwillturntoanotherbranchofthesubject。

  Theseadvertisements,ofwhichasimilarcollectionmightbemadeforeveryyear,andmonth,andweek,andday;andwhicharecoollyreadinfamiliesasthingsofcourse,andasapartofthecurrentnewsandsmall-talk;willservetoshowhowverymuchtheslavesprofitbypublicopinion,andhowtenderitisintheirbehalf。

  Butitmaybeworthwhiletoinquirehowtheslave-owners,andtheclassofsocietytowhichgreatnumbersofthembelong,defertopublicopinionintheirconduct,nottotheirslavesbuttoeachother;howtheyareaccustomedtorestraintheirpassions;whattheirbearingisamongthemselves;whethertheyarefierceorgentle;whethertheirsocialcustomsbebrutal,sanguinary,andviolent,orbeartheimpressofcivilisationandrefinement。

  Thatwemayhavenopartialevidencefromabolitionistsinthisinquiry,either,Iwilloncemoreturntotheirownnewspapers,andIwillconfinemyself,thistime,toaselectionfromparagraphswhichappearedfromdaytoday,duringmyvisittoAmerica,andwhichrefertooccurrenceshappeningwhileIwasthere。Theitalicsintheseextracts,asintheforegoing,aremyown。

  ThesecasesdidnotALLoccur,itwillbeseen,interritoryactuallybelongingtolegalisedSlaveStates,thoughmost,andthosetheveryworstamongthemdid,astheircounterpartsconstantlydo;butthepositionofthescenesofactioninreferencetoplacesimmediatelyathand,whereslaveryisthelaw;

  andthestrongresemblancebetweenthatclassofoutragesandtherest;leadtothejustpresumptionthatthecharacterofthepartiesconcernedwasformedinslavedistricts,andbrutalisedbyslavecustoms。

  \'HORRIBLETRAGEDY。

  \'ByaslipfromTHESOUTHPORTTELEGRAPH,Wisconsin,welearnthattheHon。CharlesC。P。Arndt,MemberoftheCouncilforBrowncounty,wasshotdeadONTHEFLOOROFTHECOUNCILCHAMBER,byJamesR。Vinyard,MemberfromGrantcounty。THEAFFAIRgrewoutofanominationforSheriffofGrantcounty。Mr。E。S。BakerwasnominatedandsupportedbyMr。Arndt。ThisnominationwasopposedbyVinyard,whowantedtheappointmenttovestinhisownbrother。

  Inthecourseofdebate,thedeceasedmadesomestatementswhichVinyardpronouncedfalse,andmadeuseofviolentandinsultinglanguage,dealinglargelyinpersonalities,towhichMr。A。madenoreply。Aftertheadjournment,Mr。A。steppeduptoVinyard,andrequestedhimtoretract,whichherefusedtodo,repeatingtheoffensivewords。Mr。ArndtthenmadeablowatVinyard,whosteppedbackapace,drewapistol,andshothimdead。

  \'TheissueappearstohavebeenprovokedonthepartofVinyard,whowasdeterminedatallhazardstodefeattheappointmentofBaker,andwho,himselfdefeated,turnedhisireandrevengeupontheunfortunateArndt。\'

  \'THEWISCONSINTRAGEDY。

  PublicindignationrunshighintheterritoryofWisconsin,inrelationtothemurderofC。C。P。Arndt,intheLegislativeHalloftheTerritory。MeetingshavebeenheldindifferentcountiesofWisconsin,denouncingTHEPRACTICEOFSECRETLYBEARINGARMSINTHE

  LEGISLATIVECHAMBERSOFTHECOUNTRY。WehaveseentheaccountoftheexpulsionofJamesR。Vinyard,theperpetratorofthebloodydeed,andareamazedtohear,that,afterthisexpulsionbythosewhosawVinyardkillMr。Arndtinthepresenceofhisagedfather,whowasonavisittoseehisson,littledreamingthathewastowitnesshismurder,JUDGEDUNNHASDISCHARGEDVINYARDONBAIL。TheMiners\'FreePressspeaksINTERMSOFMERITEDREBUKEattheoutrageuponthefeelingsofthepeopleofWisconsin。Vinyardwaswithinarm\'slengthofMr。Arndt,whenhetooksuchdeadlyaimathim,thatheneverspoke。Vinyardmightatpleasure,beingsonear,haveonlywoundedhim,buthechosetokillhim。\'

  \'MURDER。

  ByaletterinaSt。Louispaperofthe\'4th,wenoticeaterribleoutrageatBurlington,Iowa。AMr。Bridgmanhavinghadadifficultywithacitizenoftheplace,Mr。Ross;abrother-in-lawofthelatterprovidedhimselfwithoneofColt\'srevolvingpistols,metMr。B。inthestreet,ANDDISCHARGEDTHECONTENTSOF

  FIVEOFTHEBARRELSATHIM:EACHSHOTTAKINGEFFECT。Mr。B。,thoughhorriblywounded,anddying,returnedthefire,andkilledRossonthespot。\'

  \'TERRIBLEDEATHOFROBERTPOTTER。

  \'Fromthe\"CaddoGazette,\"ofthe12thinst。,welearnthefrightfuldeathofColonelRobertPotter……Hewasbesetinhishousebyanenemy,namedRose。Hesprangfromhiscouch,seizedhisgun,and,inhisnight-clothes,rushedfromthehouse。Forabouttwohundredyardshisspeedseemedtodefyhispursuers;but,gettingentangledinathicket,hewascaptured。RosetoldhimTHATHEINTENDEDTOACTAGENEROUSPART,andgivehimachanceforhislife。HethentoldPotterhemightrun,andheshouldnotbeinterruptedtillhereachedacertaindistance。Potterstartedatthewordofcommand,andbeforeagunwasfiredhehadreachedthelake。Hisfirstimpulsewastojumpinthewateranddiveforit,whichhedid。Rosewasclosebehindhim,andformedhismenonthebankreadytoshoothimasherose。Inafewsecondshecameuptobreathe;andscarcehadhisheadreachedthesurfaceofthewaterwhenitwascompletelyriddledwiththeshotoftheirguns,andhesunk,torisenomore!\'

  \'MURDERINARKANSAS。

  \'WeunderstandTHATASEVERERENCONTRECAMEOFFafewdayssinceintheSenecaNation,betweenMr。Loose,thesub-agentofthemixedbandoftheSenecas,Quapaw,andShawnees,andMr。JamesGillespie,ofthemercantilefirmofThomasG。AllisonandCo。,ofMaysville,Benton,CountyArk,inwhichthelatterwasslainwithabowie-

  knife。Somedifficultyhadforsometimeexistedbetweentheparties。ItissaidthatMajorGillespiebroughtontheattackwithacane。Asevereconflictensued,duringwhichtwopistolswerefiredbyGillespieandonebyLoose。LoosethenstabbedGillespiewithoneofthosenever-failingweapons,abowie-knife。

  ThedeathofMajorG。ismuchregretted,ashewasaliberal-mindedandenergeticman。Sincetheabovewasintype,wehavelearnedthatMajorAllisonhasstatedtosomeofourcitizensintownthatMr。Loosegavethefirstblow。Weforbeartogiveanyparticulars,asTHEMATTERWILLBETHESUBJECTOFJUDICIALINVESTIGATION。\'

  \'FOULDEED。

  ThesteamerThames,justfromMissouririver,broughtusahandbill,offeringarewardof500dollars,forthepersonwhoassassinatedLilburnW。Baggs,lateGovernorofthisState,atIndependence,onthenightofthe6thinst。GovernorBaggs,itisstatedinawrittenmemorandum,wasnotdead,butmortallywounded。

  \'Sincetheabovewaswritten,wereceivedanotefromtheclerkoftheThames,givingthefollowingparticulars。Gov。BaggswasshotbysomevillainonFriday,6thinst。,intheevening,whilesittinginaroominhisownhouseinIndependence。Hisson,aboy,hearingareport,ranintotheroom,andfoundtheGovernorsittinginhischair,withhisjawfallendown,andhisheadleaningback;

  ondiscoveringtheinjurydonetohisfather,hegavethealarm。

  Foottrackswerefoundinthegardenbelowthewindow,andapistolpickedupsupposedtohavebeenoverloaded,andthrownfromthehandofthescoundrelwhofiredit。Threebuckshotsofaheavyload,tookeffect;onegoingthroughhismouth,oneintothebrain,andanotherprobablyinornearthebrain;allgoingintothebackpartoftheneckandhead。TheGovernorwasstillaliveonthemorningofthe7th;butnohopesforhisrecoverybyhisfriends,andbutslighthopesfromhisphysicians。

  \'Amanwassuspected,andtheSheriffmostprobablyhaspossessionofhimbythistime。

  \'ThepistolwasoneofapairstolensomedayspreviousfromabakerinIndependence,andthelegalauthoritieshavethedescriptionoftheother。\'

  \'RENCONTRE。

  \'AnunfortunateAFFAIRtookplaceonFridayeveninginChatresStreet,inwhichoneofourmostrespectablecitizensreceivedadangerouswound,fromapoignard,intheabdomen。FromtheBeeNewOrleansofyesterday,welearnthefollowingparticulars。ItappearsthatanarticlewaspublishedintheFrenchsideofthepaperonMondaylast,containingsomestricturesontheArtilleryBattalionforfiringtheirgunsonSundaymorning,inanswertothosefromtheOntarioandWoodbury,andtherebymuchalarmwascausedtothefamiliesofthosepersonswhowereoutallnightpreservingthepeaceofthecity。MajorC。Gally,Commanderofthebattalion,resentingthis,calledattheofficeanddemandedtheauthor\'sname;thatofMr。P。Arpinwasgiventohim,whowasabsentatthetime。Someangrywordsthenpassedwithoneoftheproprietors,andachallengefollowed;thefriendsofbothpartiestriedtoarrangetheaffair,butfailedtodoso。OnFridayevening,aboutseveno\'clock,MajorGallymetMr。P。ArpininChatresStreet,andaccostedhim。\"AreyouMr。Arpin?\"

  \'\"Yes,sir。\"

  \'\"ThenIhavetotellyouthatyouarea-\"applyinganappropriateepithet。

  \'\"Ishallremindyouofyourwords,sir。\"

  \'\"ButIhavesaidIwouldbreakmycaneonyourshoulders。\"

  \'\"Iknowit,butIhavenotyetreceivedtheblow。\"

  \'Atthesewords,MajorGally,havingacaneinhishands,struckMr。Arpinacrosstheface,andthelatterdrewapoignardfromhispocketandstabbedMajorGallyintheabdomen。

  \'Fearsareentertainedthatthewoundwillbemortal。WE

  UNDERSTANDTHATMR。ARPINHASGIVENSECURITYFORHISAPPEARANCEAT

  THECRIMINALCOURTTOANSWERTHECHARGE。\'

  \'AFFRAYINMISSISSIPPI。

  \'Onthe27thult。,inanaffraynearCarthage,Leakecounty,Mississippi,betweenJamesCottinghamandJohnWilburn,thelatterwasshotbytheformer,andsohorriblywounded,thattherewasnohopeofhisrecovery。Onthe2ndinstant,therewasanaffrayatCarthagebetweenA。C。SharkeyandGeorgeGoff,inwhichthelatterwasshot,andthoughtmortallywounded。Sharkeydeliveredhimselfuptotheauthorities,BUTCHANGEDHISMINDANDESCAPED!\'

  \'PERSONALENCOUNTER。

  \'AnencountertookplaceinSparta,afewdayssince,betweenthebarkeeperofanhotel,andamannamedBury。ItappearsthatBuryhadbecomesomewhatnoisy,ANDTHATTHEBARKEEPER,DETERMINEDTO

  PRESERVEORDER,HADTHREATENEDTOSHOOTBURY,whereuponBurydrewapistolandshotthebarkeeperdown。Hewasnotdeadatthelastaccounts,butslighthopeswereentertainedofhisrecovery。\'

  \'DUEL。

  \'TheclerkofthesteamboatTRIBUNEinformsusthatanotherduelwasfoughtonTuesdaylast,byMr。Robbins,abankofficerinVicksburg,andMr。Fall,theeditoroftheVicksburgSentinel。

  Accordingtothearrangement,thepartieshadsixpistolseach,which,aftertheword\"Fire!\"THEYWERETODISCHARGEASFASTAS

  THEYPLEASED。Fallfiredtwopistolswithouteffect。Mr。Robbins\'

  firstshottookeffectinFall\'sthigh,whofell,andwasunabletocontinuethecombat。\'

  \'AFFRAYINCLARKECOUNTY。

  \'AnUNFORTUNATEAFFRAYoccurredinClarkecountyMO。,nearWaterloo,onTuesdaythe19thult。,whichoriginatedinsettlingthepartnershipconcernsofMessrs。M\'KaneandM\'Allister,whohadbeenengagedinthebusinessofdistilling,andresultedinthedeathofthelatter,whowasshotdownbyMr。M\'Kane,becauseofhisattemptingtotakepossessionofsevenbarrelsofwhiskey,thepropertyofM\'Kane,whichhadbeenknockedofftoM\'Allisteratasheriff\'ssaleatonedollarperbarrel。M\'KaneimmediatelyfledANDATTHELATESTDATESHADNOTBEENTAKEN。

  \'THISUNFORTUNATEAFFRAYcausedconsiderableexcitementintheneighbourhood,asboththepartiesweremenwithlargefamiliesdependinguponthemandstoodwellinthecommunity。\'

  Iwillquotebutonemoreparagraph,which,byreasonofitsmonstrousabsurdity,maybearelieftotheseatrociousdeeds。

  \'AFFAIROFHONOUR。

  \'WehavejustheardtheparticularsofameetingwhichtookplaceonSixMileIsland,onTuesday,betweentwoyoungbloodsofourcity:SamuelThurston,AGEDFIFTEEN,andWilliamHine,AGED

  THIRTEENyears。Theywereattendedbyyounggentlemenofthesameage。Theweaponsusedontheoccasion,wereacoupleofDickson\'sbestrifles;thedistance,thirtyyards。Theytookonefire,withoutanydamagebeingsustainedbyeitherparty,excepttheballofThurston\'sgunpassingthroughthecrownofHine\'shat。THROUGH

  THEINTERCESSIONOFTHEBOARDOFHONOUR,thechallengewaswithdrawn,andthedifferenceamicablyadjusted。\'

  IfthereaderwillpicturetohimselfthekindofBoardofHonourwhichamicablyadjustedthedifferencebetweenthesetwolittleboys,whoinanyotherpartoftheworldwouldhavebeenamicablyadjustedontwoporters\'backsandsoundlyfloggedwithbirchenrods,hewillbepossessed,nodoubt,withasstrongasenseofitsludicrouscharacter,asthatwhichsetsmelaughingwheneveritsimagerisesupbeforeme。

  Now,Iappealtoeveryhumanmind,imbuedwiththecommonestofcommonsense,andthecommonestofcommonhumanity;toalldispassionate,reasoningcreatures,ofanyshadeofopinion;andask,withtheserevoltingevidencesofthestateofsocietywhichexistsinandabouttheslavedistrictsofAmericabeforethem,cantheyhaveadoubtoftherealconditionoftheslave,orcantheyforamomentmakeacompromisebetweentheinstitutionoranyofitsflagrant,fearfulfeatures,andtheirownjustconsciences?

  Willtheysayofanytaleofcrueltyandhorror,howeveraggravatedindegree,thatitisimprobable,whentheycanturntothepublicprints,and,running,readsuchsignsasthese,laidbeforethembythemenwhoruletheslaves:intheirownactsandundertheirownhands?

  Dowenotknowthattheworstdeformityanduglinessofslaveryareatoncethecauseandtheeffectoftherecklesslicensetakenbythesefreebornoutlaws?Dowenotknowthatthemanwhohasbeenbornandbredamongitswrongs;whohasseeninhischildhoodhusbandsobligedatthewordofcommandtoflogtheirwives;women,indecentlycompelledtoholduptheirowngarmentsthatmenmightlaytheheavierstripesupontheirlegs,drivenandharriedbybrutaloverseersintheirtimeoftravail,andbecomingmothersonthefieldoftoil,undertheverylashitself;whohasreadinyouth,andseenhisvirginsistersread,descriptionsofrunawaymenandwomen,andtheirdisfiguredpersons,whichcouldnotbepublishedelsewhere,ofsomuchstockuponafarm,oratashowofbeasts:-dowenotknowthatthatman,wheneverhiswrathiskindledup,willbeabrutalsavage?Dowenotknowthatasheisacowardinhisdomesticlife,stalkingamonghisshrinkingmenandwomenslavesarmedwithhisheavywhip,sohewillbeacowardoutofdoors,andcarryingcowards\'weaponshiddeninhisbreast,willshootmendownandstabthemwhenhequarrels?Andifourreasondidnotteachusthisandmuchbeyond;ifweweresuchidiotsastocloseoureyestothatfinemodeoftrainingwhichrearsupsuchmen;shouldwenotknowthattheywhoamongtheirequalsstabandpistolinthelegislativehalls,andinthecounting-house,andonthemarketplace,andinalltheelsewherepeacefulpursuitsoflife,mustbetotheirdependants,eventhoughtheywerefreeservants,somanymercilessandunrelentingtyrants?

  What!shallwedeclaimagainsttheignorantpeasantryofIreland,andmincethematterwhentheseAmericantaskmastersareinquestion?Shallwecryshameonthebrutalityofthosewhohamstringcattle:andsparethelightsofFreedomuponearthwhonotchtheearsofmenandwomen,cutpleasantposiesintheshrinkingflesh,learntowritewithpensofred-hotirononthehumanface,racktheirpoeticfanciesforliveriesofmutilationwhichtheirslavesshallwearforlifeandcarrytothegrave,breakinglivinglimbsasdidthesoldierywhomockedandslewtheSaviouroftheworld,andsetdefencelesscreaturesupfortargets!

  ShallwewhimperoverlegendsofthetorturespractisedoneachotherbythePaganIndians,andsmileuponthecrueltiesofChristianmen!Shallwe,solongasthesethingslast,exultabovethescatteredremnantsofthatrace,andtriumphinthewhiteenjoymentoftheirpossessions?Rather,forme,restoretheforestandtheIndianvillage;inlieuofstarsandstripes,letsomepoorfeatherflutterinthebreeze;replacethestreetsandsquaresbywigwams;andthoughthedeath-songofahundredhaughtywarriorsfilltheair,itwillbemusictotheshriekofoneunhappyslave。

  Ononetheme,whichiscommonlybeforeoureyes,andinrespectofwhichournationalcharacterischangingfast,lettheplainTruthbespoken,andletusnot,likedastards,beataboutthebushbyhintingattheSpaniardandthefierceItalian。WhenknivesaredrawnbyEnglishmeninconflictletitbesaidandknown:\'WeowethischangetoRepublicanSlavery。ThesearetheweaponsofFreedom。Withsharppointsandedgessuchasthese,LibertyinAmericahewsandhacksherslaves;or,failingthatpursuit,hersonsdevotethemtoabetteruse,andturnthemoneachother。\'

  CHAPTERXVIII-CONCLUDINGREMARKS

  THEREaremanypassagesinthisbook,whereIhavebeenatsomepainstoresistthetemptationoftroublingmyreaderswithmyowndeductionsandconclusions:preferringthattheyshouldjudgeforthemselves,fromsuchpremisesasIhavelaidbeforethem。Myonlyobjectintheoutset,was,tocarrythemwithmefaithfullywheresoeverIwent:andthattaskIhavedischarged。

  ButImaybepardoned,ifonsuchathemeasthegeneralcharacteroftheAmericanpeople,andthegeneralcharacteroftheirsocialsystem,aspresentedtoastranger\'seyes,Idesiretoexpressmyownopinionsinafewwords,beforeIbringthesevolumestoaclose。

  Theyare,bynature,frank,brave,cordial,hospitable,andaffectionate。Cultivationandrefinementseembuttoenhancetheirwarmthofheartandardententhusiasm;anditisthepossessionoftheselatterqualitiesinamostremarkabledegree,whichrendersaneducatedAmericanoneofthemostendearingandmostgenerousoffriends。Ineverwassowonupon,asbythisclass;neveryieldedupmyfullconfidenceandesteemsoreadilyandpleasurably,astothem;nevercanmakeagain,inhalfayear,somanyfriendsforwhomIseemtoentertaintheregardofhalfalife。

  Thesequalitiesarenatural,Iimplicitlybelieve,tothewholepeople。Thattheyare,however,sadlysappedandblightedintheirgrowthamongthemass;andthatthereareinfluencesatworkwhichendangerthemstillmore,andgivebutlittlepresentpromiseoftheirhealthyrestoration;isatruththatoughttobetold。

  Itisanessentialpartofeverynationalcharactertopiqueitselfmightilyuponitsfaults,andtodeducetokensofitsvirtueoritswisdomfromtheirveryexaggeration。OnegreatblemishinthepopularmindofAmerica,andtheprolificparentofaninnumerablebroodofevils,isUniversalDistrust。YettheAmericancitizenplumeshimselfuponthisspirit,evenwhenheissufficientlydispassionatetoperceivetheruinitworks;andwilloftenadduceit,inspiteofhisownreason,asaninstanceofthegreatsagacityandacutenessofthepeople,andtheirsuperiorshrewdnessandindependence。

  \'Youcarry,\'saysthestranger,\'thisjealousyanddistrustintoeverytransactionofpubliclife。Byrepellingworthymenfromyourlegislativeassemblies,ithasbredupaclassofcandidatesforthesuffrage,who,intheirveryact,disgraceyourInstitutionsandyourpeople\'schoice。Ithasrenderedyousofickle,andsogiventochange,thatyourinconstancyhaspassedintoaproverb;foryounosoonersetupanidolfirmly,thanyouaresuretopullitdownanddashitintofragments:andthis,becausedirectlyyourewardabenefactor,orapublicservant,youdistrusthim,merelybecauseheisrewarded;andimmediatelyapplyyourselvestofindout,eitherthatyouhavebeentoobountifulinyouracknowledgments,orheremissinhisdeserts。Anymanwhoattainsahighplaceamongyou,fromthePresidentdownwards,maydatehisdownfallfromthatmoment;foranyprintedliethatanynotoriousvillainpens,althoughitmilitatedirectlyagainstthecharacterandconductofalife,appealsatoncetoyourdistrust,andisbelieved。Youwillstrainatagnatinthewayoftrustfulnessandconfidence,howeverfairlywonandwelldeserved;

  butyouwillswallowawholecaravanofcamels,iftheybeladenwithunworthydoubtsandmeansuspicions。Isthiswell,thinkyou,orlikelytoelevatethecharacterofthegovernorsorthegoverned,amongyou?\'

  Theanswerisinvariablythesame:\'There\'sfreedomofopinionhere,youknow。Everymanthinksforhimself,andwearenottobeeasilyoverreached。That\'showourpeoplecometobesuspicious。\'

  Anotherprominentfeatureistheloveof\'smart\'dealing:whichgildsovermanyaswindleandgrossbreachoftrust;manyadefalcation,publicandprivate;andenablesmanyaknavetoholdhisheadupwiththebest,whowelldeservesahalter;thoughithasnotbeenwithoutitsretributiveoperation,forthissmartnesshasdonemoreinafewyearstoimpairthepubliccredit,andtocripplethepublicresources,thandullhonesty,howeverrash,couldhaveeffectedinacentury。Themeritsofabrokenspeculation,orabankruptcy,orofasuccessfulscoundrel,arenotgaugedbyitsorhisobservanceofthegoldenrule,\'Doasyouwouldbedoneby,\'butareconsideredwithreferencetotheirsmartness。Irecollect,onbothoccasionsofourpassingthatill-

  fatedCairoontheMississippi,remarkingonthebadeffectssuchgrossdeceitsmusthavewhentheyexploded,ingeneratingawantofconfidenceabroad,anddiscouragingforeigninvestment:butIwasgiventounderstandthatthiswasaverysmartschemebywhichadealofmoneyhadbeenmade:andthatitssmartestfeaturewas,thattheyforgotthesethingsabroad,inaveryshorttime,andspeculatedagain,asfreelyasever。ThefollowingdialogueIhaveheldahundredtimes:\'IsitnotaverydisgracefulcircumstancethatsuchamanasSo-and-soshouldbeacquiringalargepropertybythemostinfamousandodiousmeans,andnotwithstandingallthecrimesofwhichhehasbeenguilty,shouldbetoleratedandabettedbyyourCitizens?Heisapublicnuisance,ishenot?\'\'Yes,sir。\'\'Aconvictedliar?\'\'Yes,sir。\'\'Hehasbeenkicked,andcuffed,andcaned?\'\'Yes,sir。\'\'Andheisutterlydishonourable,debased,andprofligate?\'\'Yes,sir。\'\'Inthenameofwonder,then,whatishismerit?\'\'Well,sir,heisasmartman。\'

  Inlikemanner,allkindsofdeficientandimpoliticusagesarereferredtothenationalloveoftrade;though,oddlyenough,itwouldbeaweightychargeagainstaforeignerthatheregardedtheAmericansasatradingpeople。Theloveoftradeisassignedasareasonforthatcomfortlesscustom,soveryprevalentincountrytowns,ofmarriedpersonslivinginhotels,havingnofiresideoftheirown,andseldommeetingfromearlymorninguntillateatnight,butatthehastypublicmeals。TheloveoftradeisareasonwhytheliteratureofAmericaistoremainforeverunprotected\'Forweareatradingpeople,anddon\'tcareforpoetry:\'thoughweDO,bytheway,professtobeveryproudofourpoets:whilehealthfulamusements,cheerfulmeansofrecreation,andwholesomefancies,mustfadebeforethesternutilitarianjoysoftrade。

  Thesethreecharacteristicsarestronglypresentedateveryturn,fullinthestranger\'sview。But,thefoulgrowthofAmericahasamoretangledrootthanthis;anditstrikesitsfibres,deepinitslicentiousPress。

  Schoolsmaybeerected,East,West,North,andSouth;pupilsbetaught,andmastersreared,byscoresuponscoresofthousands;

  collegesmaythrive,churchesmaybecrammed,temperancemaybediffused,andadvancingknowledgeinallotherformswalkthroughthelandwithgiantstrides:butwhilethenewspaperpressofAmericaisin,ornear,itspresentabjectstate,highmoralimprovementinthatcountryishopeless。Yearbyyear,itmustandwillgoback;yearbyyear,thetoneofpublicfeelingmustsinklowerdown;yearbyyear,theCongressandtheSenatemustbecomeoflessaccountbeforealldecentmen;andyearbyyear,thememoryoftheGreatFathersoftheRevolutionmustbeoutragedmoreandmore,inthebadlifeoftheirdegeneratechild。

  AmongtheherdofjournalswhicharepublishedintheStates,therearesome,thereaderscarcelyneedbetold,ofcharacterandcredit。Frompersonalintercoursewithaccomplishedgentlemenconnectedwithpublicationsofthisclass,Ihavederivedbothpleasureandprofit。ButthenameoftheseisFew,andoftheothersLegion;andtheinfluenceofthegood,ispowerlesstocounteractthemoralpoisonofthebad。

  AmongthegentryofAmerica;amongthewell-informedandmoderate:

  inthelearnedprofessions;atthebarandonthebench:thereis,astherecanbe,butoneopinion,inreferencetotheviciouscharacteroftheseinfamousjournals。Itissometimescontended-

  Iwillnotsaystrangely,foritisnaturaltoseekexcusesforsuchadisgrace-thattheirinfluenceisnotsogreatasavisitorwouldsuppose。Imustbepardonedforsayingthatthereisnowarrantforthisplea,andthateveryfactandcircumstancetendsdirectlytotheoppositeconclusion。

  Whenanyman,ofanygradeofdesertinintellectorcharacter,canclimbtoanypublicdistinction,nomatterwhat,inAmerica,withoutfirstgrovellingdownupontheearth,andbendingthekneebeforethismonsterofdepravity;whenanyprivateexcellenceissafefromitsattacks;whenanysocialconfidenceisleftunbrokenbyit,oranytieofsocialdecencyandhonourisheldintheleastregard;whenanymaninthatfreecountryhasfreedomofopinion,andpresumestothinkforhimself,andspeakforhimself,withouthumblereferencetoacensorshipwhich,foritsrampantignoranceandbasedishonesty,heutterlyloathesanddespisesinhisheart;

  whenthosewhomostacutelyfeelitsinfamyandthereproachitcastsuponthenation,andwhomostdenounceittoeachother,daretosettheirheelsupon,andcrushitopenly,inthesightofallmen:then,Iwillbelievethatitsinfluenceislessening,andmenarereturningtotheirmanlysenses。ButwhilethatPresshasitsevileyeineveryhouse,anditsblackhandineveryappointmentinthestate,fromapresidenttoapostman;while,withribaldslanderforitsonlystockintrade,itisthestandardliteratureofanenormousclass,whomustfindtheirreadinginanewspaper,ortheywillnotreadatall;solongmustitsodiumbeuponthecountry\'shead,andsolongmusttheevilitworks,beplainlyvisibleintheRepublic。

  TothosewhoareaccustomedtotheleadingEnglishjournals,ortotherespectablejournalsoftheContinentofEurope;tothosewhoareaccustomedtoanythingelseinprintandpaper;itwouldbeimpossible,withoutanamountofextractforwhichIhaveneitherspacenorinclination,toconveyanadequateideaofthisfrightfulengineinAmerica。Butifanymandesireconfirmationofmystatementonthishead,lethimrepairtoanyplaceinthiscityofLondon,wherescatterednumbersofthesepublicationsaretobefound;andthere,lethimformhisownopinion。1

  Itwouldbewell,therecanbenodoubt,fortheAmericanpeopleasawhole,iftheylovedtheRealless,andtheIdealsomewhatmore。

  Itwouldbewell,ifthereweregreaterencouragementtolightnessofheartandgaiety,andawidercultivationofwhatisbeautiful,withoutbeingeminentlyanddirectlyuseful。Buthere,Ithinkthegeneralremonstrance,\'weareanewcountry,\'whichissooftenadvancedasanexcusefordefectswhicharequiteunjustifiable,asbeing,ofright,onlytheslowgrowthofanoldone,maybeveryreasonablyurged:andIyethopetohearoftherebeingsomeothernationalamusementintheUnitedStates,besidesnewspaperpolitics。

  Theycertainlyarenotahumorouspeople,andtheirtemperamentalwaysimpressedmeisbeingofadullandgloomycharacter。Inshrewdnessofremark,andacertaincast-ironquaintness,theYankees,orpeopleofNewEngland,unquestionablytakethelead;astheydoinmostotherevidencesofintelligence。Butintravellingabout,outofthelargecities-asIhaveremarkedinformerpartsofthesevolumes-Iwasquiteoppressedbytheprevailingseriousnessandmelancholyairofbusiness:whichwassogeneralandunvarying,thatateverynewtownIcameto,IseemedtomeettheverysamepeoplewhomIhadleftbehindme,atthelast。Suchdefectsasareperceptibleinthenationalmanners,seem,tome,tobereferable,inagreatdegree,tothiscause:whichhasgeneratedadull,sullenpersistenceincoarseusages,andrejectedthegracesoflifeasundeservingofattention。ThereisnodoubtthatWashington,whowasalwaysmostscrupulousandexactonpointsofceremony,perceivedthetendencytowardsthismistake,eveninhistime,anddidhisutmosttocorrectit。

  IcannotholdwithotherwritersonthesesubjectsthattheprevalenceofvariousformsofdissentinAmerica,isinanywayattributabletothenon-existencethereofanestablishedchurch:

  indeed,Ithinkthetemperofthepeople,ifitadmittedofsuchanInstitutionbeingfoundedamongstthem,wouldleadthemtodesertit,asamatterofcourse,merelybecauseitWASestablished。But,supposingittoexist,Idoubtitsprobableefficacyinsummoningthewanderingsheeptoonegreatfold,simplybecauseoftheimmenseamountofdissentwhichprevailsathome;andbecauseIdonotfindinAmericaanyoneformofreligionwithwhichweinEurope,oreveninEngland,areunacquainted。Dissentersresortthitheringreatnumbers,asotherpeopledo,simplybecauseitisalandofresort;andgreatsettlementsofthemarefounded,becausegroundcanbepurchased,andtownsandvillagesreared,wheretherewerenoneofthehumancreationbefore。ButeventheShakersemigratedfromEngland;ourcountryisnotunknowntoMr。

  JosephSmith,theapostleofMormonism,ortohisbenighteddisciples;IhavebeheldreligiousscenesmyselfinsomeofourpopuloustownswhichcanhardlybesurpassedbyanAmericancamp-

  meeting;andIamnotawarethatanyinstanceofsuperstitiousimpostureontheonehand,andsuperstitiouscredulityontheother,hashaditsoriginintheUnitedStates,whichwecannotmorethanparallelbytheprecedentsofMrs。Southcote,MaryToftstherabbit-breeder,orevenMr。ThornofCanterbury:whichlattercasearose,sometimeafterthedarkageshadpassedaway。

  TheRepublicanInstitutionsofAmericaundoubtedlyleadthepeopletoasserttheirself-respectandtheirequality;butatravellerisboundtobearthoseInstitutionsinhismind,andnothastilytoresentthenearapproachofaclassofstrangers,who,athome,wouldkeepaloof。Thischaracteristic,whenitwastincturedwithnofoolishpride,andstoppedshortofnohonestservice,neveroffendedme;andIveryseldom,ifever,experienceditsrudeorunbecomingdisplay。Onceortwiceitwascomicallydeveloped,asinthefollowingcase;butthiswasanamusingincident,andnottherule,ornearit。

  Iwantedapairofbootsatacertaintown,forIhadnonetotravelin,butthosewiththememorablecorksoles,whichweremuchtoohotforthefierydecksofasteamboat。Ithereforesentamessagetoanartistinboots,importing,withmycompliments,thatIshouldbehappytoseehim,ifhewoulddomethepolitefavourtocall。Heverykindlyreturnedforanswer,thathewould\'lookround\'atsixo\'clockthatevening。

  Iwaslyingonthesofa,withabookandawine-glass,ataboutthattime,whenthedooropened,andagentlemaninastiffcravat,withinayearortwooneithersideofthirty,entered,inhishatandgloves;walkeduptothelooking-glass;arrangedhishair;tookoffhisgloves;slowlyproducedameasurefromtheuttermostdepthsofhiscoat-pocket;andrequestedme,inalanguidtone,to\'unfix\'

  mystraps。Icomplied,butlookedwithsomecuriosityathishat,whichwasstilluponhishead。Itmighthavebeenthat,oritmighthavebeentheheat-buthetookitoff。Then,hesathimselfdownonachairoppositetome;restedanarmoneachknee;

  and,leaningforwardverymuch,tookfromtheground,byagreateffort,thespecimenofmetropolitanworkmanshipwhichIhadjustpulledoff:whistling,pleasantly,ashedidso。Heturneditoverandover;surveyeditwithacontemptnolanguagecanexpress;

  andinquiredifIwishedhimtofixmeabootlikeTHAT?I

  courteouslyreplied,thatprovidedthebootswerelargeenough,I

  wouldleavetheresttohim;thatifconvenientandpracticable,I

  shouldnotobjecttotheirbearingsomeresemblancetothemodelthenbeforehim;butthatIwouldbeentirelyguidedby,andwouldbegtoleavethewholesubjectto,hisjudgmentanddiscretion。

  \'Youan\'tpartickler,aboutthisscoopintheheel,Isupposethen?\'sayshe:\'wedon\'tfollerthat,here。\'Irepeatedmylastobservation。Helookedathimselfintheglassagain;wentclosertoittodashagrainortwoofdustoutofthecornerofhiseye;

  andsettledhiscravat。Allthistime,mylegandfootwereintheair。\'Nearlyready,sir?\'Iinquired。\'Well,prettynigh,\'hesaid;\'keepsteady。\'IkeptassteadyasIcould,bothinfootandface;andhavingbythistimegotthedustout,andfoundhispencil-case,hemeasuredme,andmadethenecessarynotes。Whenhehadfinished,hefellintohisoldattitude,andtakingupthebootagain,musedforsometime。\'Andthis,\'hesaid,atlast,\'isanEnglishboot,isit?ThisisaLondonboot,eh?\'\'That,sir,\'I

  replied,\'isaLondonboot。\'Hemusedoveritagain,afterthemannerofHamletwithYorick\'sskull;noddedhishead,aswhoshouldsay,\'IpitytheInstitutionsthatledtotheproductionofthisboot!\';rose;putuphispencil,notes,andpaper-glancingathimselfintheglass,allthetime-putonhishat-drewonhisglovesveryslowly;andfinallywalkedout。Whenhehadbeengoneaboutaminute,thedoorreopened,andhishatandhisheadreappeared。Helookedroundtheroom,andatthebootagain,whichwasstilllyingonthefloor;appearedthoughtfulforaminute;andthensaid\'Well,goodarternoon。\'\'Goodafternoon,sir,\'saidI:

  andthatwastheendoftheinterview。

  ThereisbutoneotherheadonwhichIwishtoofferaremark;andthathasreferencetothepublichealth。Insovastacountry,wheretherearethousandsofmillionsofacresoflandyetunsettledanduncleared,andoneveryroodofwhich,vegetabledecompositionisannuallytakingplace;wheretherearesomanygreatrivers,andsuchoppositevarietiesofclimate;therecannotfailtobeagreatamountofsicknessatcertainseasons。ButI

  mayventuretosay,afterconversingwithmanymembersofthemedicalprofessioninAmerica,thatIamnotsingularintheopinionthatmuchofthediseasewhichdoesprevail,mightbeavoided,ifafewcommonprecautionswereobserved。Greatermeansofpersonalcleanliness,areindispensabletothisend;thecustomofhastilyswallowinglargequantitiesofanimalfood,threetimesa-day,andrushingbacktosedentarypursuitsaftereachmeal,mustbechanged;thegentlersexmustgomorewiselyclad,andtakemorehealthfulexercise;andinthelatterclause,themalesmustbeincludedalso。Aboveall,inpublicinstitutions,andthroughoutthewholeofeverytownandcity,thesystemofventilation,anddrainage,andremovalofimpuritiesrequirestobethoroughlyrevised。ThereisnolocalLegislatureinAmericawhichmaynotstudyMr。Chadwick\'sexcellentReportupontheSanitaryConditionofourLabouringClasses,withimmenseadvantage。

  IHAVEnowarrivedatthecloseofthisbook。Ihavelittlereasontobelieve,fromcertainwarningsIhavehadsinceIreturnedtoEngland,thatitwillbetenderlyorfavourablyreceivedbytheAmericanpeople;andasIhavewrittentheTruthinrelationtothemassofthosewhoformtheirjudgmentsandexpresstheiropinions,itwillbeseenthatIhavenodesiretocourt,byanyadventitiousmeans,thepopularapplause。

  Itisenoughforme,toknow,thatwhatIhavesetdowninthesepages,cannotcostmeasinglefriendontheothersideoftheAtlantic,whois,inanything,deservingofthename。Fortherest,Iputmytrust,implicitly,inthespiritinwhichtheyhavebeenconceivedandpenned;andIcanbidemytime。

  Ihavemadenoreferencetomyreception,norhaveIsufferedittoinfluencemeinwhatIhavewritten;for,ineithercase,Ishouldhaveofferedbutasorryacknowledgment,comparedwiththatIbearwithinmybreast,towardsthosepartialreadersofmyformerbooks,acrosstheWater,whometmewithanopenhand,andnotwithonethatcloseduponanironmuzzle。

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