DISTINCTION OF RANKS. 157 



ern states. One day, and that perhaps at no 

 great distance, it is likely to end in an open 

 and acknowledged distinction of ranks, includ- 

 ing every gradation of precedence from the 

 humble " labourer" up to the man of quality 

 and title. 



I had formed this impression very soon af- 

 ter my arrival in America, and a few words, 

 having some reference to the state of society, 

 which the President did me the honour to ad- 

 dress to me when at Washington, have not 

 had the effect of effacing it. 



In the praise which, on the whole, truth 

 has compelled me to bestow on the American 

 States, I do not forget that their greatness is 

 an emanation from my own country, and that 

 while she on the one hand may be proud of 

 her offspring, they on the other hand have rea- 

 son to be proud of their origin. This I be- 

 lieve is the feeling of every well constructed 

 mind in both countries, and deeply is it to be 

 regretted that grovelling passions are ever al- 

 lowed to impair that feeling, or to put in jeo- 

 pardy the bonds of mutual friendship, in which 



