THE FAVORITE POISON OP AMERICA. 281 



When a nation has become quite indifferent as to what it has done, 

 or can do, then there is nothing left but for its prophets to utter la- 

 mentations over it. 



Now there is a curious but indisputable fact (somebody must say 

 it), touching our present condition and appearance, as a nation of 

 men, women and children, in which we Americans compare most 

 unfavorably with the people of Europe, and especially with those 

 of northern Europe England and France, for example. It is 

 neither in religion or morality, law or liberty. In these great essen- 

 tials, every American feels that his country is the birthplace of a 

 larger number of robust and healthy souls than any other. But in 

 the bodily condition, the signs of physical health, and all that con- 

 stitutes the outward aspect of the men and women of the United 

 States, our countrymen, and especially countrywomen, compare most 

 unfavorably with all but the absolutely starving classes, on the other 

 side of the Atlantic. So completely is this the fact, that, though 

 we are unconscious of it at home, the first thing (especially of late 

 years) which strikes an American, returning from abroad, is the pale 

 and sickly countenances of his friends, acquaintances, and almost 

 every one he meets in the streets of large towns, every other man 

 looking as if he had lately recovered from a fit of illness. The men 

 look so pale and the women so delicate, that his eye, accustomed to 

 the higher hues of health, and the more vigorous physical condition 

 of transatlantic men and women, scarcely credits the assertion of 

 old acquaintances, when they assure him that they were " never 

 better in their lives." 



With this sort of impression weighing disagreeably on our mind, 

 on returning from Europe lately, we fancied it worth our while to 

 plunge two hundred or three hundred miles into the interior of the 

 State of New- York. It would be pleasant, we thought, to see, not 

 only the rich forest scenery opened by the new railroad to Lake 

 Erie, but also (for we felt confident they were there) some good, 

 hearty, fresh-looking lads and lasses among the farmers' sons and 

 daughters. 



We were for the most part disappointed. Certainly the men, 

 especially the young men, who live mostly in the open air, are heal- 

 thy and robust. But the daughters of the fanners they are as 



