CHAI. XXXII.] INQUISITIVENESS. 167 



these noble steamers, without which such researches could not 

 be pursued except by an. indefinite sacrifice of time. But \vo 

 sometimes doubted how far an English party, traveling 1 for mere 

 amusement, would enjoy themselves. If they venture on tho 

 experiment, they had better not take with them an English 

 maid-servant, unless they are prepared for her being transformed 

 into an equal. It would be safer to engage some one of that too 

 numerous class, commonly called &quot;humble companions/ who 

 might occasionally enter into society with them. Ladies who 

 can dispense with such assistance, will find the maids in the inns, 

 whether white or colored, most attentive. 



We were not asked more questions in regard to our private 

 affairs than we had often been accustomed to submit to when 

 traveling in France and Scotland. Nor had I any reason to 

 complain ; for when I had satisfied the curious as to my age, the 

 number of my children, how we liked the country, and many other 

 particulars, often asked very abruptly by one just come on board, I 

 had no ceremony in retaliating on him, and putting to him as many 

 queries in my turn. Every one must admit that the answers you 

 commonly receive are most intelligent. Americans of the higher 

 classes seemed more put out than we were, when thus catechised. 



One of them, before we left Boston, as if determined that 

 nothing should surprise me, related many diverting anecdotes to 

 illustrate the inquisitive turn of his countrymen. Among other 

 stories he gave a lively description of a New Englander who was 

 seated by a reserved companion in a railway car, and who, by 

 way of beginning a conversation, said, &quot; Are you a bachelor ?&quot; 

 To which the other replied, drily, &quot; No, I m not.&quot; &quot;You are a 

 married man ?&quot; continued he. &quot; No, I m not.&quot; &quot; Then you 

 must be a widower?&quot; &quot;No, I m not.&quot; Here there was a short 

 pause ; but the undaunted querist returned to the charge, observ 

 ing, &quot; If your are neither a bachelor, nor a married man, nor a 

 widower, what in the world can you be?&quot; &quot; If you must know,&quot; 

 said the other, &quot; I m a divorced man !&quot; 



Another story, told me by the same friend, was that a gentle 

 man being asked, in a stage coach, how he had lost his leg, made 

 his fellow travelers promise that if he told them they would put 



