ALTOONA, 59 



in this resolution to sport we were joined by Barnett, a 

 very excellent sportsman and naturalist, up to every 

 species of woodcraft, a collector of birds'-skins, and a 

 good shot. In his calling he was attached to the rail 

 way traffic department at Pittsburgh, and from him I also 

 received the utmost attention and civility. 



Here, at Altoona, I had time to consider the boasted 

 comforts of the American railway. Some of my friends 

 on board the " Africa," in the voyage across the Atlantic, 

 had assured me of its infinite superiority to the English 

 lines, thus :] 



" Yes, sir ; you should see our railway carriages. 

 Guess you'll be surprised. None of your little carriages, 

 shut up, but each car like a great long passage ; a path 

 up the middle ; yes, sir ; and seats each side, with a door 

 at each end. Yes, sir ; at night yes, sir fine beds, so 

 comfortable sleep all the way ; and if there are three 

 cars, you can walk out of one into the other, and do as 

 you like ; yes, sir." 



Oh ! after I had experienced the travel of these boasted 

 trains, how I longed for the cleanliness and privacy, 

 and civility and choice of society, on the railways of Old 

 England. The American trains are filthy, their floors 

 not only always in a most disgusting condition, but the 

 door at either end permits such a thorough draught right 

 through, and the citizens of the United States have such 

 a perpetual desire to open and shut them, that any man 

 used to comfort is sure to catch the ear-ache. And, oh ! 

 as to the state of the ladies' dresses ! The hems of those 

 beautiful white garments, that ought to be so snowy as 

 to invite the lips of man, are stained three inches high 

 with the filthy tobacco-juice, which it is impossible for 

 them to escape. 



