ch he stands, and the
majority are content with their position.

It is lamentable to observe how many bad feelings, how many evil
passions, are constantly in a state of activity from this unfortunate
chaotical want of gradation and discipline, where all would be first,
and every one considers himself as good as his neighbour.

The above-mentioned author observes--"The surface of American society
is, if I may use the expression, covered with a layer of democracy, from
beneath which the aristocratic colours sometimes peep."

In a moral sense, this is also true, the nobler virtues which are
chiefly produced in the fertile field of aristocracy do occasionally
appear; but the whole surface is covered with a layer of democracy,
which like the lava which the volcano continually belches forth, has
gradually poured down, and reduced the country round it to barrenness
and sterility. [See Note 2.]

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. _Some_ of the _invented calumnies_ against me found their way
to this country. I consider the contents of this chapter to be a
sufficient refutation, not only of what has been, but of what will in
all probability be hereafter asserted against me by the American press.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 2. This chapter was in the press, when a paragraph, cut out of the
Baltimore Chronicle, was received from an anonymous hand at New York.
Whether with a friendly intention or otherwise, I am equally obliged to
the party, as it enables me to further prove, if it were necessary, the
vituperation of the American press.

"Many persons in our country had an opportunity of becoming acquainted
with the Captain. The fast-anchored isle never gave birth to a _more
unmitigated blackguard_. His awkward, unwieldy misshapen body, was but
a fair lodging for a low, depraved, licentious soul. Although liberally
educated, he seemed insensible to any other enjoyments than those of
sense. No human being could in his desires or habits approach more near
to the animal than him. No gentleman ever sat down with him an hour
without a sensation of loathing and disgust. `What kind of man is
Captain Marryat?' was once asked in our presence of a distinguished
member of Congress, who had sojourned with him at the White Sulphur
Springs. `He is no man at all,' was the reply, `he is a beast.'"

This is really "going the whole h