t like the new moon,
hanging its delicate silver crescent in the western pathway of the
setting sun, which everybody tries to see first over the right
shoulder, for the very luck of the coincidence. Still, both
countries should be contented and happy under this dispensation of
Nature. The balance is very satisfactory, and well suited to the
character and habits of the two peoples. The Americans are more
radical and sensational than the English; more given to sudden
changes and stirring events. Sterne generally gets the credit of
saying that pretty thought first, "Providence tempers the wind to
the shorn lamb." A French writer puts it the other way, and more
practically: "Providence tempers the wool of the lamb to the wind."
This is far better and more natural. But it may be truly said that
Providence tempers the seasons to the temperaments and customs of
the two nations.

Just before reaching Oakham, I passed a grand mansion, standing far
back from the turnpike road, on a commanding eminence, flanked with
extensive plantations. The wide avenue leading to it looked a full
mile in length. Lawns and lakes, which mirrored the trees with
equal distinctness, suffused the landscape of the park like evening
smiles of Nature. It was indeed a goodly heritage for one man; and
he only mounted a plain _Mr_. to his name, although I learned that
he could count his farms by the dozen. I was told that the annual
dinner given to his tenant farmers came off the previous day at the
inn where I lodged. A sumptuous banquet was provided for them,
presided over by the steward of the estate; as the great _Mr_. did
not honor the plebeian company with his presence. This is a feature
of the structure of English society which the best read American
would not be likely to recognise without travelling somewhat
extensively in the country. The British Nobility, the great, world-
renowned Middle Class, and the poor laboring population, constitute
the three great divisions of the people and include them all in his
mind. He is apt to leave out of count the Gentry, the great
untitled MISTERS, who come in between the nobility and middle-men,
and constitute the connecting link between them. "The fine old
English gentleman, all of the olden time," is supposed to belong to
this class. They make up most of "the old county families," of
which you hear more than you read. They are generally large
landholders, owning from twenty to one hundred