NO EMIGRATION. 19 



a practice to go to one of these oracles before embarking, to 

 know their success! Even strict professors of religion do not 

 scruple to avow their belief, that they can give the desired 

 information, past, present, and to come. I have been as 

 near highly offending some of them as prudence would dic 

 tate, by laughing at their credulity. 



Sunday, March 21. Heard an English Missionary 

 preach ; two of them just arrived from the West Indies on 

 their way home. The Captain with whom they ca:r3 

 would not take any thing for their passage. The difference 

 in manner and countenance of an Englishman and an 

 American, when placed in juxta-position, is striking. The 

 latter have the appearance of less animation, good humour, 

 and frankness, and I may add solidity and firmness of cha 

 racter; but on the other hand they exhibit a more composed 

 and even temperament; shrewd, easy, and unembarrassed, 

 accompanied with an independent carelessness, the latter 

 arising, probably, from their republican institutions which 

 recognize no superior. It is said &quot; the liberal government 

 of the United States has the effect of producing generally in 

 the deportment of individuals, who know neither superiors 

 nor inferiors, a certain degree of, ease and dignity that is 

 equally removed from servility and arrogance ; and that it is 

 one of these practical principles that the poorer classes in 

 this country are more civilized, more polite and friendly, 

 though not so submissive, as persons of the same fortune in 

 Europe.&quot; Attended a Bible Society ; no applause or appa 

 rent emotion excited by the speeches of the orators, 

 more than at an ordinary religious meeting. The English, 

 generally, have fuller features, and ruddier, healthier coun 

 tenances than the Americans, still there are many fine, 

 healthy, and fresh-looking of the latter, although some 

 have a touch of the dark yellow tinge of the French 

 and Spaniards, and others of a nankeen colour, which may, 

 in part, arise from the heat of the climate. At the first in 

 terview with an American family, there is another feature 

 strikingly evident the precocious sage-like appearance, and 

 unembarrassed deportment of the children; no diffidence 

 or reserve before strangers ; and yet I can hardly call it 

 impudence, it seems to them so easy and natural. Through 

 the warmth of the climate it would seem, they arrive at 

 maturity at an earlier age, generally, than in England ; the 



