privileges, and to warn our countrymen against the danger of reverting to a like condition. Englishmen expect that we shall be Americans; they would think meanly of us if we did not show ourselves such. Our country expects it; and, if we are so, conscience ought to prompt us to our duty. And yet there are Americans who, while visiting England, allow themselves to be dined and toasted out of their character. There are radical principles of society yet at stake in the world, to be contended for, if not on the field of blood-which God forbid-yet in that field of influence which the pen and the press have opened before us, and into which so many are rushing with reckless spirit and ruthless adventure. If an American, who goes abroad, finds reason to satisfy himself for becoming less an American than he was before, he may keep his opinion, or betray it, or publish it, as he shall see fit. If, on the contrary, he is confirmed in his character as an American, and conscientiously believes that American principles are best, he ought doubtless to be permitted, on his own native soil, to use his influence in their favour. · The abundant materials in my hands, not less important or less interesting than what is here offered to the public-so far as these pages may have any thing of that character-would have swelled the work to twice its present dimensions, if I could have presumed that so large a book would be acceptable, as well for its price as for its matter. But my publishers and others, together with my own convictions of the proper extent of works of this kind, have advised me to dispense with what would make a small volume of statistical information on various subjects, as also with a notice of many journeys made and places visited, and the discussion of numerous topics of practical importance. London, which was my home while in England, is a world by itself. I have been obliged to content myself with general and brief notices of that great metropolis, and to reserve the particulars of this field of observation for another work now in hand, to appear as I can think of nothing better, or more pertinent-under the title of its own notable name-LONDON. C. COLTON. New-York, July, 1835. CONTENTS Page Feelings on leaving one's Country-The Lightning Cloud at Night on the Ocean-Style of Packet Ships-William IV. and George Washington-Character of Passengers-An Irishman going to America for Gold-Ship's Letter-bag, and an Incident -A Sermon, and Conscience-Remarkable Celestial Phe- Dr. Raffles and the Rothsay Castle―The sombre Aspect of Eng- lish Towns-Comparison of English and American Shipping, Steamers, &c.--Comparative Commercial Importance of Lon- don and Liverpool-A Paradox in English Character--The Liverpool Slave-trade-Docks-Customs and Shipping of London and Liverpool--Customs of the United Kingdom. Comparison with that of George IV.-The Pageant without and within-The Regalia--The Ceremonies and Coronation-Fes- tivities and Illuminations-Queen Caroline's Disgrace and The Coffee and Dining Rooms-The Swedenborgians-London Charity Schools, and their Singing in Churches-A Scene at London Dining-hours-A Night Encounter of a suspicious Per- Westminster Hall and Parliament House-Certain Points of Comparison between the British Parliament and the American Congress-Uses of the Purse and Mace-The Woolsack- Ministerial and Opposition Sides-The Right Reverend Bench |