evil in society be remedied? It can be remedied on, ly by counteraction.

In my next letter I shall descend to particulars, and perhaps qualify, in some measure, the impression which this may give you.

Adieu.

LETTER XXXVI.

LONDON, AUGUST 12th.

AMONG MONG the many millions, who cover the face of this little spot of earth, there are many who enjoy all that mortals can enjoy, circumscribed only by their own dispositions. If the Englishman frequently fortifies himself against happiness, and sleeps on thorns in the midst of roses, it is his pleasure, whim, or madness. There is certainly sufficient affluence in England to give a stranger, from a country like ours, an everlasting impression. The eye is not continually turned on misery, nor the ear always listening to the tale of distress, nor is the heart rendered more hard by unceasing calls to commiseration. The sedate countenance, the rolling eyes, the careless swing of the arms, and the easy step of many of the middling class, discover easy circumstances, and a contented heart. While the more guarded step, the more costly, though careless dress, and more erect head of another class, discover their self complacency and affluence. The simplicity of the quakers does not forbid them to display their general prosperity by the best apparel,

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which decently retires from notice, under the mod. esty of an unattracting colour. There is still another class who never know a want, which is not gratified too soon for the utmost pleasure of full fruition. These people command the four seasons. If they are not happy, they are impious. They have within their reach the ceaseless raptures of a sympathy, which is not necessitated to rise in a wish, and expire in a sigh. Nor is this class of subjects small; though among nine millions, it would be difficult to find them. These are the natural conclusions of my last letter. For if a few rich suppose many poor; on the contrary, many poor suppose a few rich. It is impossible that a cultivated country should not be, at least, partially rich, or that an industrious people should be universally poor; and if such a people are, in general, necessitous, neither God, nor Nature are to blame, they never meant that man should suffer a double curse, lose his sweat,* and then lose his bread.

The English system is not a little alleviated by the noble generosity of thousands. The sight of the poor does not always revolt the eye of the affluent. It is the part of many to relent while oppressing, and

* Not that I think Adam lost much in being turned out of Paradise. Moderate labour is the first dictate of nature. The economy of man sufficiently proves this-the circulation of the blood, the beating of his pulses, and the a tivity of his mind.

it frequently happens that those who are most interested in support of certain principles, are the first to counteract their tendency. The merchants are celebrated for their maintenance of charities,* founded in voluntary subscription-The generous highwayman, sometimes, returns a part of his exaction.

The condition, in which most of the people of England are born, ought to be noticed as a further alleviating circumstance. A citizen of the United States cannot have a just view of the state of society, in this country, unless he is informed that the feelings of the poor are entirely different from the feelings of the people of the United States. In England, before they arrive to years of reflection, they lose the disposition to reflect. A situation, a hopeless situation, which one might suppose would awaken their souls to agony, and rouse their feelings to rebellion, reduces them to torpedo stupidity. Hence, the same condition here, which, in the United States, a man would shun as the greatest misfortune, is a state of contentment, and not unfrequently, an object of desire. This is certainly a happy circumstance, and relieves society from many who would otherwise become desperate

* A multitude of charities and hospitals are a sure mark of a nation's misery. M m

The man who is born heir to a wheelbarrow, seldom aspires to a handcart.

You continually observe, at the west end of the town, one, two, three, and sometimes four, men, always more than decently, and often elegantly dressed, standing behind a carriage, supporting themselves with the holders. If it rains, they are indulged with umbrellas. These men are frequently not more than twenty, or twenty five years of age. Their majestic height, broad shoulders, straight bodies and taper legs, would have induced Hercules to have enlisted them in some of his expeditions. Yet these people wear the appearance of the most perfect contentment. They are pleased with their party coloured clothes, and never seem more happy, than when they expose themselves to the public. Nor is this all; they claim a sort of distinction, and affect to look down on the more respectable man, who cries cat's meat.

Another numerous description spend their days behind the counter. Such would be more respectably employed in felling wood in the Apalachian mountains. They usurp the offices of girls and deprive them of bread, or impel them to prostitution. Such, and many others, however contemptible they may appear, do not increase the national misery, .otherwise than as drones.