ften amused at the variance on this point between their words and their
feelings, which is shewn in their eagerness for rank of some sort among
themselves. Every man who has served in the militia carries his title
until the day of his death. There is no end to generals, and colonels,
and judges; they keep taverns and grog shops, especially in the Western
State; indeed, there are very few who have not brevet rank of some kind;
and I being only a captain, was looked upon as a very small personage,
as far as rank went. An Englishman, who was living in the State of New
York, had sent to have the chimney of his house raised. The morning
afterwards he saw a labourer mixing mortar before the door. "Well,"
said the Englishman, "when is the chimney to be finished?" "I'm sure I
don't know, you had better ask the colonel." "The colonel? What
colonel?" "Why, I reckon that's the colonel upon the top of the house,
working away at the chimney."

After all, this fondness for rank, even in a democracy, is very natural,
and the Americans have a precedent for it. His Satanic Majesty was the
first democrat in heaven, but as soon as he was dismissed to his abode
below, if Milton be correct, he assumed his title.

VOLUME TWO, CHAPTER SIX.

ARISTOCRACY.

If the Americans should imagine that I have any pleasure in writing the
contents of this chapter they will be mistaken; I have considered well
the duty of and pondered over it. I would not libel an individual, much
less a whole nation; but I must speak the truth, and upon due
examination, and calling to my mind all that I have collected from
observation and otherwise, I consider that at this present time the
standard of morality is lower in America than in any other portion of
the civilised globe. I say at this present time, for it was not so even
twenty years ago, and possibly may not be so twenty years hence. There
is a change constantly going on in every thing below, and I believe, for
many reasons, that a change for the better will soon take place in
America. There are even now many thousands of virtuous, honourable, and
enlightened people in the United States, but at present virtue is
passive, while vice is active.

The Americans possess courage, presence of mind, perseverance, and
energy, but these may be considered rather as endowments than as
virtues. They are propelling powers which will advance them as a
people, and, were they regulated and tempered by religi