MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 433 



nuts. Jacksonville and Springfield must necessarily hav r e 

 presented less refinement, luxury, and humiliation than he 

 had been accustomed to, and more civilisation and comfort 

 than I had for some time experienced. From the state of my 

 feelings consequent on such a transition, it is possible I may 

 have seen things in too favourable a light, and the truth may 

 perhaps be found to lie somewhere between Mr Stuart s ac 

 count and mine. 



Referring to what has been stated at pages 400, 401, and 403, 

 regarding the amount of the population of the United States,, 

 and the progress of wealth and refinement, it would be un 

 reasonable to expect luxury in so young a country as Illinois, 

 or to subject the manners and customs of its inhabitants to 

 serious criticism. Indeed it will appear evident to every re 

 flecting mind, that such a motley population, scattered over 

 an extensive territory, cannot yet have amalgamated in feel 

 ing or custom, and that the manners of the different parts of 

 the state will be as varied as the origin of their population. 

 Rudeness and vulgarity are not attributes of the native popu 

 lation of the United States ; and if found in Illinois, they must 

 be imports from foreign countries. The circumstances of the 

 State with regard to refinement are favourable to young men 

 entering on life. But every emigrant on leaving Britain 

 must lay his account with a change, to whatever part of the 

 world he proceeds ; and if he dislike the manners of the people 

 of Illinois, he can live in retirement. 



2E 



