much the same relative proportion, inferior in all elements of grandeur. Taking his knowledge from the books he has read, from the orations he hears, and his own observation, so far as it extends, why should he trouble himself to disbelieve, what is so agreeable to his mind to accept?

In Europe, where ignorance is abundant enough, it is at any rate mainly passive. But in America, those who have been thus taught and haranguedare the active power in the State; their passions, when aroused, are irresistible; their will, when expressed, is law. We shall find that the government reflects, less the views of the well-informed and experienced, than of this crude, wronglyinformed mass. Hence, we find in its action, a restless ambition, an aggressive, quarrelsome spirit, an entire disregard for the feelings or position of other nations; and this, so continuous and invariable, that the very name of the United States has come to be associated, in the mind of Europe, with demands or complaints, with an expectation of painful discussions, and a fore-knowledge that much will have to be conceded and endured.

It may, perhaps, be said that, after all, exaggeration is but a blemish an infirmity, of no serious importance. This cannot be, when its influence pervades all things, and extends to political belief and to its consequences. Indeed, all know that it will turn almost every virtue into vice-economy into meanness, liberality into extravagance, firm

ness into obstinacy, self-reliance into arrogance. No influence in private life, is more certain to result in the loss of character or fortune, and the same rule holds, when numbers are congregated into a people. The present calamitous war may be regarded as a result of it. In reality, nothing more really beneficial to the North could have occurred, than the event which might stay the downward course of its institutions—give to it, in reality, the self-government which had passed into other hands, and amputate a limb which threatened mortification to the whole body. But the proper sense of nationality has now become an exaggerated sentiment, akin to that of the French for glory; and this, not only shut out perception of the truth, but disdained to consider any question of constitutional rights-dismissed every thought of prudence, every calculation of probabilities—and swept the people into a fratricidal war, in which victory or defeat must be equally disastrous. And if this pernicious influence be traceable to the Union, to its magnitude and incessant growth, it cannot but be regarded as a most serious consideration, when estimating the real value of that Union to the people.

Another result of the Union on the national character, is the excitability, which has increased to a degree now so remarkable. To the influences of a climate, intense in its extremes, this may be attributed in some degree, but the incessant elections which the Union involves, have greatly con

tributed to promote it. Even in this slow country, a general election awakens some excitement; but what would this reach amidst incessant elections, elections for both Houses of Parliament, and for two distinct Parliaments, elections of governors, of judges, of municipal and state officers, elections in the State, and in the adjoining States, and each fourth year a general ruler to elect? A system such as this, is calculated to quicken any people into excitability of temperament. It is a characteristic we meet with in Europe, more especially in France, as a peculiarity of individuals. We meet with persons, with whom, on the topics that arouse them, it is as vain to reason as to bay the moon. All know how the stability of French institutions has been affected, by the habit of masses of people acting on impulse.

This excitability, though stimulating to the nerves, as the breathing of oxygen, has a fatal effect on the judgment. It may be called a mental intoxication, exhilarating for the hour, accompanied by the same craving for repetition, and equally paralyzing the powers of reflection. When communities become affected by it, numbers heighten its intensity, and give to it the most dangerous political consequences.

This impulsive excitability, has become a marked characteristic of the politicians of New York. They seem to think that all things should be done right off-that reflection, decision, action, should be instantaneous. Man appears to be viewed as a

kind of high-pressure engine, and valued by the quickness of the stroke. All seem to be in haste, eager for powers of steam, for swiftness of telegraphs. This tempestuous energy, as might be expected, is subject to periods of reaction. There are some who at times grow weary of the exertion, and become morbid; who crave for fresh stimulants, and keep editors, not to increase their knowledge, but to produce "sensation articles," and help them to the next excitement. It seems an incessant ball-room life-wax lights, satin, champagne-varied with headache, and reactions of grimy depression, commonly called panics. There is abundance of glitter in it, and at times a great deal is quickly done. But the fable tells us it was the tortoise that won the race, not the hare; and it may well be doubted, whether this can really be the pathway to happiness. It cannot be disguised that it wears a hollow cheek, and certainly the wisdom that Solomon taught, was not after this wise. Nature, indeed, seems to teach what man's industry should be-action with alternations of repose. But here the book of Nature seems to lie unopened and forgotten. The whole is a life of one-sided existence-the artificial side. There is no crisp hour of the morning, sparkling with dew, when we step with elastic tread, and inhale new strength of body and of mind. There is no lingering twilight, when to forget our toils, and glide under the wing of peace. There is no eddy, for the current of life to stay its swiftness, and renew its

pure lustre, to flow the more brightly onwards. For all this there seems no place; but, in its stead, a restless, spasmodic energy, that quickens indeed some powers of the mind, but dwarfs the rest, and destroys that even balance of the mental powers, which constitutes the faculty of judgment.

We alluded to the political effect of this habit of impulsive action, in the troubled history of France. Unfortunately, perhaps, for the liberties of the country, the Union has now a Paris. Whoever has studied the progress of the momentous events now occurring, will have seen, that the Washington Government simply follows the impulse of the people; indeed, that in obedience to this impulse, it reversed the policy it had first wisely adopted. But the people of the North, in their turn, implicitly follow the lead of New York. Whatever decision be formed there, flies over the land by telegraph, and is adopted before the day be out. Hence, although this spirit of excitability is not common to the whole country, its disastrous effect is extended to all. And the policy of the Union, and the unhealthy growth stimulated by artificial means, have produced an effect that adds seriously to the evil. The metropolis of the country is not really American. Its population is largely composed of foreigners of all nations, and the type of manners and of sentiment, is essentially foreign to the American soil. Miss Martineau holds that it has become marked by the peculiarities of Irish