410 UNITED STATES. 



lie will be a helpless mortal, and in all probability become 

 the prey of designing persons. It is the dependence of the 

 inhabitants on each other in old countries which unfits so 

 many of them to play their part in the newly settled portions 

 of the United States, where each individual acts indepen 

 dently, and trusts to himself alone. Americans are, therefore, 

 the most acute people in the world in the ordinary intercourse 

 of life, and few foreigners need take up their abode in the 

 country in hope of outstripping them. The most essential 

 requisites in an emigrant are energy of mind, steadiness of 

 purpose, and persevering industry. Without possessing these 

 qualifications, no one need expect to mingle successfully in 

 the bustle of life ; although it is possible to exist as a farmer, 

 without being so highly gifted. It is a wrong estimate of 

 themselves which so often gives rise to disappointment and 

 failure on the part of British emigrants. There is nothing in 

 the soil or climate of America which can impart wisdom to 

 the fool, energy to the imbecile, activity to the slothful, or 

 determination to the irresolute. Examination of character 

 should therefore form part of every emigrant s preparation, as 

 his fate will perhaps altogether depend on it. It is folly for 

 the idle and imaginative beings who float in British society 

 to seek an Elysium in the United States, from whence they 

 will again be speedily wafted to their native country. It is 

 the industrious, prudent, and frugal people alone that can 

 calculate on success. 



It has already been mentioned that the United States con 

 sist of twenty-four separate states, with a general govern 

 ment for defence, commerce, and taxation. Each state has a 

 distinct republican government, for the regulation of its own 

 affairs. The governments of the different states resemble each 

 other, although not precisely alike, and consist of Legislative, 

 Executive, and Judiciary. The mode of electing and the 

 powers of each branch vary in some states, but in all of them 

 the influence of the people is supreme. 



With governments, as with almost every thing else, there 

 is a difference of opinion, and many individuals may dislike 

 the republican form and democratic tone which prevail in the 

 states. In such a state of things it is, however, certain, that 



