PAKTIES. t>7 



iiews— the oracle of thr place rnountcu on iiis 

 tripod, and pronouncing his opinions with sclcnnii 

 gravity. O ! If I liad been recognized as a {m- 

 veller from the eastern world — a keen observer 

 of human nature — and a recorder oiWhat I saw, 

 1 humbly hope that much nonsense w ould have 

 been spared, and many improper exfiibitions pre- 

 vented ; but then I would have seen man at a 

 masquerade. 1 now deiive light from my ob- 

 scurity, and observe this world as it is. ]\fy plain 

 dress, my moderate expenditures. \r,y unobtrusive 

 behaviour, avert particular remark. It is only in 

 the society of such men as I meet with in this 

 place, that I am considered as of the least impor- 

 tance. The prevalent conversations all over this 

 federal republic, are on the subjects of political 

 excitement. After some sage remarks on the 

 weather, which compose the exordium of all con- 

 versations, the man of America, like the man of 

 Athens, asks, JVhai news ? It is needless to say, 

 that I have steered entirely clear of political and 

 theological strife. I hardly understand the no- 

 menclature of parties. They are all republicans, 

 and yet a portion of the people assume the title of 

 republican, as an exclusive right, or patent mono- 

 poly. They are all federalists, that is, in favor 

 of a general government — and yet a part arrogate 

 to themselves this appellation to the disparage* 



