CORRESPONDENCE WITH DR. MANTELL. 191 



and the last, on the results of the geological researches in 

 the southeast of England. 



TO DR. MANTELL. 



YALE COLLEGE, NEW HAVEN, 

 October 12, 1833. 



WE are now entirely quiet as to our political 



dissensions, and nullification is in lethargy and suspended 

 animation, if not the last struggles of life. The question of 

 slavery is, however, becoming very deeply interesting, and 

 is a very exciting subject. I think we cannot shut our eyes 

 any longer upon its impending dangers ; although views 

 which I expressed in the little tract which I sent you, appear 

 to be in a way to be realized, provided these dangers are 

 not seasonably averted. I am happy to observe that you 

 have escaped the Duke's iron sway, and I trust that things 

 are getting better with you in England. I presume you have 

 seen Captain Hamilton's late book on this country ; it would 

 seem that America is a very favorite theme in England, for 

 I presume that so many books would not sell if they were 

 received with indifference, and they would probably not be 

 written if they did not sell. I have not read Hamilton's 

 book, except in spots. He, like Captain Basil Hall, some- 

 times forgot what was due to good manners. I was a few 

 days since at a splendid villa on the Hudson, Dr. Hosack's, 

 at Hyde Park. It is all in English style, and I should have 

 thought I was at an English nobleman's seat. There is a 

 splendid library of thousands of volumes, of the first works 

 in literature and science, and a very polished and hospitable 

 family, where there is a constant succession of the best 

 society. Here Captain Hamilton used to allow himself to 

 come to dinner with the ladies in a very short roundabout 

 jacket, and he walked the streets of New York in the same 

 style with a lady on his arm and a cigar in his mouth. But 

 enough of this. 



