so much employed as shopmaids as is desirable; hence they find it difficult to obtain suitable situations. The case is different in France, and so it ought to be in England and America. To put poor girls to learn millinery, is to put their virtue. to a strong test. Fondness for dress is the natural result of employing girls in making dresses; their wages are insufficient to its indulgence, and they too often become the victims of the wealthy seducer but millinery is almost the only occupation except servitude which their parents can get for them. This is a disadvantage. Why should not women act as clerks in countinghouses? They are competent to the required duties, and would be quite in a becoming station. Why should they not be taught surgery, at least that part of it relative to parturition? In short, there are a variety of employments from which custom excludes them, though on insufficient grounds, which they would be glad to follow if public opinion were not at variance with their own. The hardship is more felt in America than with us, from the paucity of manufactories requiring female help. I am now alluding to the town population. In country villages, more especially in the western parts, spinning and weaving are done at home.

CHAPTER VI.

DOMESTIC LIFE.

It is remarked by Hume, in one of the notes in his History of England, that as luxury spreads, the hours of rising and of meals become later; and that this takes place in all countries. In America, early hours are general with all ranks, a proof that luxury has not yet had so much. baneful influence as in Europe. The ball, beginning at midnight and ending at daylight, is unknown; when one is given, it is seldom continued to an unseasonable hour. Some of the fashionable follies are altogether alien, and it is to be hoped will so continue. The Americans are eminently a domestic people, and consequently a happy people; for notwithstanding all that may be urged in favour of midnight assemblies, where the young may display the charms of person and the elegance of dress, it is unquestionable, that purer happiness is to be found. in the quiet domestic circle. The excitement of spirits produced by the former, is like the waves of the ocean, rising high for a moment, then sinking below the medium level; that of

the latter, is like the waters of a lake, seldom swelling beyond the natural limits, but always smooth, clear, and reflecting the light of heaven. He, whose home has not more attractions for him than extraneous pleasures, is in a distempered state, and needs a moral physician.

From the familiar intercourse I maintained with several families, I had the opportunity of entering their houses at any time, without being treated as a formal visiter; the most agreeable mode by far to me, and certainly the best to get an insight into the real character and habits of the people. The breakfast hour may be fixed at eight o'clock for cities, and something earlier for the country. Those who are fond of a substantial breakfast should visit the United States, though the Scotch and the French would probably prefer such a one as they find at home. Coffee is the usual beverage. For eatables, besides rolls and eggs, broiled fish, beef-steaks, ham, and sausages are placed on the table; and in Connecticut, cheesecake and pumpkin-pie, with cyder to drink. Buck-wheat cakes are in much estimation as a winter diet. I tried to be pleased with them, but all in vain, and fancied they did not suit my stomach. In Virginia, small cakes of wheat flour are almost universal,

instead of the solid loaf. The natives being partial to them hot, a fresh supply is brought in during the middle of the meal. Cakes made of maize are also in great request amongst them, as well as a pudding of the same material mixed with eggs. Both these are considered very wholesome; but those whose palates are unused to them seldom find them agreeable at first.

Dinner takes place at two, or seldom later than three o'clock, and nearly corresponds with ours. Soups are in much use. In Virginia and Carolina, solid joints of meat are less frequently seen, than fowls with ham and greens. Turkies are very common. I cannot say much in praise of their cookery. When I first landed, I fancied that every article on table was inferior to what I had been accustomed to at home; further experience convinced me, that the difference was mainly occasioned by the cookery. The Americans should take a few lessons from the French on this valuable science. They are particularly unskilful in making pastry. The pie is baked in a shallow dish so that it has no syrup. I did not taste a single fruit pie of prime quality. The wines commonly taken, are Claret in summer, and Madeira in winter. Dr. Johnson said that he could abstain from wine, but that when

he took it, he liked a copious draught. The Americans are more rational. The decanters are frequently removed with the cloth; if not, seldom above two or three glasses are drank after, as they are not, like the English, in the habit of sitting for an hour or two passing the bottle round; and it is earnestly to be desired that they never may. It is expensive, injurious to health, and deprives us of the company of "the sex whose presence civilizes ours.' They never urge their guests to take more than is agreeable. O! that the Scotch, many of whom in the middle rank of life are prone to jollity, would generally imitate them in this. True politeness seems to dictate, that each should be left to his own free inclination. Though in this particular I approve the Americans, I think they might make their dinners more comfortable than they do. Where is the necessity of eating so rapidly, as to distance an Englishman to a degree quite perplexing? Their countryman Count Rumford gave them a lesson on this point, which has been apparently quite neglected. He knew that to enjoy a dinner properly, to obtain the flavour of the different dishes, it was necessary to eat slowly; and as our appetites are given us to be enjoyed with moderation and thankfulness, why should we deprive our