634 



unpleasant ; and imagined I could shun 

 some of the uncomfortable things. But as I 

 was informed, so it happened : I met near- 

 ly all. However, in regard to friendship, 

 which I was told would be offered, but not 

 given that I had continually by the hand, 

 and I believe, to the best of my compre- 

 hension, it was sincere. Therefore, my 

 intention, through this work, is to speak of 

 America, as a nation, very differently from, 

 individuals : for I will beg leave to repeat, 

 without egotism, that, had I been one of tliQ 

 princes of this nation, I could not have met 

 with more disinterested friendship than I 

 experienced in that country, with some few 

 exceptions ; and I do assure the reader, for 

 my own sake I frequently wished circum-. 

 stances to have been different. Although it; 

 is said, and generally understood, to be a 

 desirable place for a man who has a family, 

 I am of a contrary opinion : for I do not 

 think I should have been so determined in 

 my resolution of returning home, but on 

 their account. To take a wife and her off- 



