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taching himself more strongly to it than to his native country; though even in such a case, I should think it rather unnatural in him to feel no regard for the latter. But the opinion, that it is right or justifiable to be careless of the welfare of a nation of which we are a component part, is not apprehensible by me. Two persons at Boston with whom I got acquainted, expressed themselves in language not quite so unpatriotic as in the last cited case, but with little affection for their country. Another at Albany was of sentiments apparently correspondent. But the bitterest spirit against America which I any where witnessed, was in an Englishman resident in Philadelphia, who though a naturalized citizen, was displeased with the climate, the government, the people, the laws, and the administration of justice; and yet he had been thirty years settled in the country. Several other of my countrymen told me they should be glad to return home, and intended it at a future time, but spoke with a due appreciation of America and her citizens. I am glad to be able to state, that most of those who manifested a hatred of America, were persons who left England from a similar hatred.

CHAPTER X.

HOSPITALITY.

HOSPITALITY is a quality generally to be found amongst the inhabitants of thinly-peopled countries. Pastoral nations, as the Hebrews of old, and the Arabs and Tartars of the present day, have always been distinguished for their readiness to receive the wayfaring man under their roof. The reason for it may be found in the paucity of travellers, and the consequent want of inns. The sight and conversation of a stranger are pleasing to persons living in such countries, to a degree of which city residents can from their own experience form no idea. But when citizens are charged, as they often are, with a want of hospitality, due allowance is not made for the circumstances attending their situation. Where the number of strangers is great, and the public accommodations are handsome, how can it be expected that a stranger should be noticed? Accordingly, the rule in cities is to be free from any obligation to notice strangers unless furnished with introductory letters: and when such letters are satisfactory, citizens are seldom behind

hand in kind attentions. But so truly hospitable are the Americans, that even in cities I received the most flattering attentions from persons to whom I was a total stranger, without being furnished with any introduction. Wherever I went in town or country I met with friends. My feelings of gratitude therefore induce me to give a number of instances. And as I shall mingle particulars illustrative of the habits and manners of the people, I doubt not that the recital will be interesting to all my readers.

Soon after I landed at New York, I fell accidentally into conversation with a lawyer, whom I met at a house where I called on business. Learning that I was an Englishman just arrived, he made numerous enquiries respecting England, and conducting me to his house, invited me to spend the evening with him. I accepted the invitation, and passed the time in that agreeable manner, which conversation with intelligent persons generally produces. Being about to leave the city, he requested me on my return to call and see him again. I did so; and was received with the same kind attention as before. And on my reaching New York a third time, I renewed my acquaintance with him and still found him disposed to gratify and oblige me. On one oc

casion, he took me a ride into the country; and stopping at a farm-house on our return, he introduced me to the farmer and his wife, by whom we were invited to tea. We remained with them about two hours and were regaled with raspberries and cream. Our ride, which was on Long Island, was a particularly pleasant one, it being in the early part of summer, when the landscape is green. In short, this gentleman was so polite and attentive, that I avoided calling on him, not liking to receive so many favours from one to whom I could not make an adequate return.

As I was in a bookseller's shop at Albany, a gentleman present asked me some question concerning a book on the shelf, and in replying, finding it necessary to refer to England, he asked if I had been in England; and on learning that I was an Englishman who was but recently come into the country, he furnished me with his address, and requested my company. I went to call upon him the following evening, but there being another person of his name in the same street, I went to the wrong house. Owing to a curious circumstance, I did not discover my mistake for nearly a quarter of an hour; for I supposed that the person I was speaking to, was an inmate of the house, and not the master. How

ever, this mistake was the means of bringing me acquainted with two families instead of one. I afterwards waited on the first, who was a man of candid, liberal sentiments, and one of the Episcopal clergy. He told me that it gave him pleasure to entertain a foreigner, and he doubted not that I should find his countrymen generally disposed to shew attention to strangers. He being of Welsh origin, he alluded to the Principality with great interest. Indeed I almost invariably noticed that educated Americans look to the land of their fathers with filial regard. My time being limited, I had not so much of this gentleman's company as I desired; but his frank, kind disposition gave me a favourable opinion of him.

In a former chapter, I have mentioned being in a passage-boat on the Erie canal. I received from several of my fellow passengers the most pressing invitations to their houses, three of which I accepted. One was from a hatter residing at Trumansberg, a village near Cayuga Lake. He walked with me three miles, to shew me the magnificent cascade which I have described. On our return he gave me a hearty welcome to a good dinner. Though not a man of much education, his conversation was agree

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