I will send Lady Grey the news from London when I get there. I am sure she is too wise a woman not to be fond of gossiping; I am fond of it, and have some talents for it.
I recommend you to read Hall, Palmer, Fearon, and Bradling’s Travels in America, particularly
Fearon; these four books may, with ease, be read
through between breakfast and dinner. There is nothing so curious and
interesting as the rapidity with which the
| MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH. | 167 |
It is quite contrary to all probability that America should remain in an integral state. They aim at extending from sea to sea, and have already made settlements on the Pacific. There can be no community of interest between people placed under such very different circumstances: the maritime Americans, and those who communicate with Europe by the Mississippi are at this moment, as far as interest can divide men, two separate people. There does not appear to be in America at this moment one man of any considerable talents. They are a very sensible people; and seem to have conducted their affairs, upon the whole, very well. Birkbeck’s second book is not so good as his first. He deceives himself,—says he wishes to deceive himself,—and is not candid. If a man chooses to say, “I will live up to my neck in mud, fight bears, swim rivers, and combat backwoodsmen, that I may ultimately gain an independence for myself and children,” this is plain and intelligible; but, by Birkbeck’s account, it is much like settling at Putney or Kew; only the people are more liberal and enlightened. Their economy and their cheap government will do some good in this country by way of example. Their allowance to Munro is £5000 per annum; and he finds his own victuals, fire, and candles!
