Hope to this noble colony in the New World, believing that on
her enlightened and happy shores, under the influence of beneficent
institutions and of a scriptural faith, the Anglo-Saxon race may renew the
vigour of its youth, and realise in time to come the brightest hopes which
have ever been formed of England in the New World.
CHAPTER XV.
Preliminary remarks on re-entering the States - Americanisms - A little
slang - Liquoring up - Eccentricities in dress - A 'cute chap down east -
Conversation on eating - A Kentucky gal - Lake Champlain - Delaval's - A noisy
serenade - Albany - Beauties of the Hudson - The Empire City.
It has been truly observed that a reliable book on the United States yet
remains to be written. The writer of such a volume must neither be a
tourist nor a temporary resident. He must spend years, in the different
States, nicely estimating the different characteristics of each, as well
as the broadly-marked shades of difference between East, West, and South.
He must trace the effect of Republican principles upon the various races
which form this vast community; and, while analysing the prosperity of the
country, he must carefully distinguish between the real, the fictitious,
and the speculative. In England we speak of America as "Brother
Jonathan" in the singular number, without any fraternal feeling however,
and consider it as one nation, possessing uniform distinguishing
characteristics.
