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CHAPTER XXXIII.

CONCLUSION.

SINCE my return to England, I have been so frequently asked my opinion on the policy of emigrating to the United States, that I think I shall be rendering an acceptable service to many, by giving it here. Emigration then, should rarely be ventured on, by persons capable of obtaining a comfortable livelihood at home. The uncertainty of success in a foreign land is so great, the prospect of accumulating considerable property is so small, and the difficulties under almost any circumstance are so disheartening, that a man should pause before he ventures to run the risque of disappointment and ruin. A merchant with previously formed connexions might probably do well; the same may be said of hardworking farmers possessing a small capital; but artisans, mechanics, clerks, traders and professional men, are likely, if they venture to cross the Atlantic, to regret having left Old England. There are two classes only who could not fail to improve their condition; but they are often without the means of defraying the expense of the

voyage: I allude to labourers and domestic servants. The condition of these however, is not so greatly superior to that of the same description of persons in England, as to offer inducements to all. Such as have an established reputation for skill, activity and other good qualities, will do well to remain at home; such as have a character to gain, may transport themselves to America with a full conviction, that by industry, attention and honesty, they will be comfortable and independent. But it is proper for me to add, that several labourers told me they would gladly return to their native land, if they possessed the means of returning.

Several things render America disagreeable to an English emigrant, let his station be what it may, one of which is the climate. We complain in England of the humidity of our atmosphere, and of the frequent changes it undergoes; but troublesome as are the drippings and variations, they are not so trying to the frame as the sudden, great changes which take place in America. The thermometer will sometimes rise or fall forty degrees in a few hours. But this is not the worst. The winter's cold and the summer's heat are so much in extremes, that neither season is agreeable. The winter may indeed be borne without

dissatisfaction, by those who, like me, are fond of cold, as the air is generally dry. But as to the summer, when nature is as it were panting for breath, the earth arid, trees and plants drooping from the drought, musquittoes tormenting by night as well as by day, and when the streets of a city are sweltry like an oven,—who is to bear it patiently? Not even the abundance of peaches and water-melons, grateful as they are to the palate, reconcile an Englishman to it. He sighs, and wishes himself once more in the mild, genial region he has left. The only pleasant season is the autumn, which is very short, for the spring is alternately hot and cold, till heat gains the ascendancy.

Besides the climate, the circumstance of being always regarded as an alien, abates from the comfort of a permanent residence. True it is, that a person after five years' residence may become naturalized; but what signifies the sanction of law so long as in effect it is disregarded? An Englishman, to be sure, is not treated contemptuously like a negro. He may associate on equal terms with his neighbours, and obtain a portion of their confidence; but let him offer himself a candidate for some vacant public post, or declaim against the abuses of the government and

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the violation of justice by the magistrates, and he may soon have reason to repent his temerity, and learn that the boasted land of liberty is not the land the most tolerant to foreigners. But of all who find America not to realize their expectations, none are likely to feel their disappointment so keenly, as those who have emigrated under the idea, that more happiness and liberty are to be found under the American than the English government. Such persons are often men of morose dispositions, unlikely to be contented anywhere. But the man of elastic spirit who endeavours to reconcile himself to his new situation, and knows how to appreciate the blessings enjoyed by the people amongst whom his lot is cast, will find that notwithstanding the drawbacks from the comforts of a residence in America, he has a home, which, next to his native home, is the most congenial to the feelings of a patriotic Englishman, and of course the best adapted to promote his happiness.

There are two descriptions of persons who might visit the United States, and travel through them with advantage. The first are scientific characters, especially geologists and entomologists, to whom a field so boundless is opened, that there would be no danger of their lamenting like

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Alexander the want of more worlds to conquer. The others are the sons of our nobility and gentry. Great as is the improvement derivable from a tour on the continent of Europe, it may be reasonably believed that one in America would to many be far more advantageous. They could not indeed in America be gratified with cabinets of paintings, sculptures and medals. But they would learn to see the difference between good and bad government; good as it concerns the whites, bad in reference to the blacks. They would mark the evils of slavery both on the master and his servant. They would find that religion needs not the support of the secular power. They would be compelled to admit that persons of whatever religious denomination, may be admitted to an equality of civil rights without danger to the public tranquillity or harmony. They would see that in proportion as trade is unfettered by monopolies and other restrictions, its prosperity is promoted. They would ascertain that property may be protected without penal enactments at variance with equity. They would be convinced that a large standing army in time of peace is unnecessary. They would learn many other truths no less useful, but of which too many of them are at present ignorant. For instance, they would learn that their own happiness, as

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