52 EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



saying, that in most of our country villages prostitution is un 

 known, and an illegitimate child is a comparatively rare occur 

 rence. I add with equal confidence, that under the influence 

 of our free schools and universal education, and the disinterested 

 and philanthropic exertions among all sects for the religious 

 education of the young in Sunday schools, the beneficial and 

 ameliorating results fully equal every reasonable expectation. 

 This conies of the value of character, and the lessons early incul 

 cated upon them to respect themselves as women. I would, if 

 possible, strengthen this sentiment ; and therefore would in no 

 department of life render less prominent the distinctive barriers 

 between the sexes. In all my intercourse with society in the 

 United States, and with opportunities as large as any man of 

 observing all classes among them in the various conditions of 

 life, I have never known an instance of a woman going to a 

 public bar for drink, or sitting down in a public bar-room with 

 men, or alone, to regale herself. The ale-houses and gin-shops 

 in England are as much accustomed by women as by men, and 

 the results of such practices are exactly what might be expected 

 an extreme vulgarity of manners, and a large amount of 

 drunkenness among the lower class of women. What, as a 

 matter of course, comes with it need not be told ; but the records 

 of the police courts leave no one at a loss. 



My observations in this case must be understood as applying 

 solely to the lowest class : these constitute a very numerous por 

 tion. They apply likewise mainly to cities and large towns. 

 In respect to the deportment of the middle and the highest 

 classes with whom my intercourse, through their kindness, 

 has been familiar and extensive nothing in manners or conver 

 sation can be farther removed from that which is vulgar or 

 offensive ; and for propriety and the highest degree of refine 

 ment, nothing can be more exemplary and delightful. 



In districts strictly agricultural, the low rate of wages does not 

 admit of much expenditure in this way ; and, if there are in 

 dulgences, they must be at home in the village ale-houses, and 

 only occasional. For a considerable portion of the year, the 

 farm laborers are not allowed any beer; in the haying and 

 harvesting, their allowance seldom exceeds one pint and a half, 

 which, as it is small beer, cannot be considered excessive. I 

 could not learn that any allowance of whisky or spirit is ever 

 given them by their employers, or that it is ever carried by them 



