284 Journal. [Part III. 



this means he has as fine grass and clover as can pos- 

 sibly grow. I could not but admire to see this gentle- 

 man, possessing so much knowledge and of so much 

 weight in his country's affairs, so attentively promoting 

 her not less important though more silent interests bv 

 improving her agriculture. What pleased me still 

 more, however, because 1 less expected it, was, to hear 

 Mr-s. Clay, in priding herself on the state of society, and 

 the rising prosperity of the country, citing as a proof 

 the decency and affluence of the trades-people and 

 mechanics at Lexington, many of ■whom ride about in 

 their own carriages. What a contrast, both in sense 

 and in sentiment, between this lady and the wives of 

 Legislators (as they are called), in the land of the 

 Boroughmongers ! God grant that no privileged batch 

 ever rise up in America, for then down come the me- 

 chanics, are harnessed themselves, and half ridden to 

 death. 



532. Juhj Wth. — This is the hottest day we have 

 had yet. Thermometer at 90 degrees, in shade. Met 

 a Mr. Wbittemore, from Boston, loud in the praise of 

 this climate. He informed me he had lately lost his w ife 

 and five children near Boston, and that he should have 

 lost his only remaining child, too, a son now stout and 

 healthy, had he not resolved instantly to try the air of 

 the west. He is confident that if he had taken this 

 step in time he might have saved the lives of all his 

 family. Tliis might be, however, and yet this climate 

 not better than that of Boston. Spent the evening with 

 Colonel Morrison, one of the first settlers in this stale ; 

 a fine looking old gentleman, with colour in his face 

 equal to a London Alderman. The people hero, are 

 pretty generally like that portion of the people of 

 England who get porridge enough to eat ; stout, fat, 

 and ruddy. 



533. Jiilij \2th. — Hotter than yesterday; thermo- 

 meter at 91 degrees. 



534. July 13M. — Leave Lexington; stop at Paris, 

 22 miles. A finex^ountry all the way ; good soil, plenty 

 of limestone and no musquitoes. Paris is a healthy 

 town, with a good deal of stir ; woollen and cotton ma- 

 nufactures are carried on here, but upon a small .«cale, 



