plete muster of our crew, the exceeding fineness of the day brought out even our sick, and there they lounged about in the sun, like weary birds pluming their ruffled feathers."

"Land Ho!” heads a flourish of eloquence about this country, which may be new abroad; but as the sentiments have been expressed in more grand-eloquent phrase, by a hundred thousand Fourth-of-July orators, we spare our readers the quotation, though at the expense of disappointing their vanity. We give our author's first impression of New-York.

"ON landing at the Battery, our first visit was to an office of the customs here; and, instead of the dogged, sulky, bribe-demanding scowl, too commonly encountered from our own low-class officials, who seem to consider the custom-house as a means rather of annoyance to the lieges than a protection to trade, we were met by civility, respect, and prompt despatch. The luggage we had brought with us on shore was not subjected to the least examination, and we went on our way highly pleased. First impressions give their colour to succeeding matters; and surely those derived from my encounter with the officials of a service at best annoying, were much in favour of the land.

"On entering the quiet Bowling Green, where many of the houses have coloured fronts, and all gayly painted jalousies, with trees shadowing the stoups, I was reminded of Cape Town: but the impression was momentary; a few yards on, and the long line of Broadway, with its crowded side-walks, showy shops, and numerous hotels, at once transports you back to Europe; and, were it not for the sprinkling of black faces with which the mass is chequered, one might swear oneself in Paris on some portion of the Boulevards not altogether familiar to the eye, but offering most of the points needful to prove identity, from the monkey and hurdy-gurdy of the Savoyard, the blouse of the carman and Conducteur, to the swagger of the citizensoldier, and the mincing step and 'tournure charmante' of the belles. The fronts of the cafés and hotels, too, as you pass along, you perceive to be covered by chairs occupied by similar loungers to those on the Boulevards.

"Such were my impressions whilst moving on a hot day from the Battery to the City Hotel, and so give I them place here; since I have often, after a long residence in a place, found myself referring back to these first glimpses, when desirous to present it at once fresh and comprehensive to the eye of the stranger, and for such these sketches are chiefly designed."

Though designed for the eye of the stranger, these same sketches will be found highly interesting to Americans; but, having got our author fairly on shore, our limits bid us to proceed with less particularity, and only allow us to stop here and there with Mr. Power on his journey, by way of giving a spice of what capital fun the reader will find who chooses to accompany him after his own pleasure and leisure through every city, town, and village "from Nachitoches to Marblehead."

We shall confine our extracts to the first volume, as we consider this far better than the second. Here is a sentence occurring in a description, which shows that the author has genuine poetic feeling.

"It is a lovely ramble by all lights, and I have viewed it by all,-in the blaze of noon, and by the sober gray of summer twilight: I have ridden beneath its wooded heights, and through its overhanging masses of rare foliage, in the alternate bright cold light and deep shade of a cloudless moon: and again, when tree, and field, and flower, were yet fresh and humid with the heavy dew, and sparkling in the glow of early morning."

Referring to the ignorance of the German residents in Pennsylvania, of recent political occurrences, they are said to be "usually found a little in arrear."

"At Election times, or on occasions of extraordinary stir, when a man is striving to render them au courant with late occurrences, they will now and then interrupt their informant with "Bud why de teufel doesent Vashington come down de Nord and bud it all to rights?"

Many of our readers will recognize the fidelity of this description of that best of Hotels, the Tremont House in Boston.

"My last, though not least, lion of Boston is the 'Tremont House,' which being, in my opinion, the very best of the best class of large hotels in the Union, I shall select as a specimen.

"With externals I have little to do, although the architecture of this fine building might well claim a particular description: its frontage is nearly two hundred feet, with two wings about one hundred each in depth; it is three stories high in front above the basement, and the wings are each of four stories: the number of rooms, its proprietor informed me, amount to two hundred, independent of kitchens, cellars, and other offices: it contains hot and cold baths, and is, in fact, wanting in nothing essential to the character of a well-contrived hotel.

"The curious part of the affair, however, to a European, and more especially an Englishman, is the internal arrangement of such a huge institution, the machinery by which it is so well and so quietly regulated.

"Let the reader reflect, that here are two public tables daily, one for men resident in the house, together with many gentlemen of the city, who regularly dine here; the other for ladies or families who have not private apartments: of the latter there are a dozen, consisting of two or more chambers attached to each parlour; these are seldom occupied, and have also to be provided for: add to all this an occasional dinner or supper to large public parties, and he will then be enabled to appreciate the difficulties and to do justice to the system which works as I shall presently describe.

"At half-past seven A. M. the crash of a gong rattles through the remotest galleries, to rouse the sleepers: this you may hear or not, just as you choose; but sound it does, and loudly. Again, at eight, it proclaims breakfast on the public tables: as I never made my appearance at this meal, I cannot be expected to tell how it may be attended. The lover of a late déjeûner may either order his servant to provide one in his own room, or at any hour, up to noon, direct it to be served in the common hall: it will, in either case, consist of whatever he may desire that is in the house.

"At three o'clock, dinner is served in a well-proportioned, well-lighted room, seventy feet long by thirty-one wide, occupied by two parallel tables, perfectly ap pointed, and provided with every delicacy of the season, well dressed and in great abundance, the French cooking the best in the country,—this par parenthèse. Mean time the attendance is very sufficient for a man not in a "devouring rage," and the wines of every kind really unexceptionable to any reasonable gourmet.

"At this same hour, let it be borne in mind the same play is playing in what is called the ladies' dining-room, where they sit surrounded by their husbands, fathers, brothers, or lovers, as may be; and surely having no meaner table-service. As for the possessors of an apartment, these persons order dinner for as many as they please, at what hour they please, and in what style they please, the which is duly provided in their respective parlours.

"In the public rooms tea is served at six, and supper at nine o'clock; it being yet a marvel to me, first, how all these elaborate meals are so admirably got up, and next, how the plague these good people find appetite to come to time with a regularity no less surprising.

"It was a constant subject of no little amusement to me to observe a few of the knowing hands hanging about, as feeding-time drew near, their ears on the prick and their eyes on the door, which is thrown open at the first bellow of the gong.

"As to the indecent pushing and driving, so amusingly described by some travellers, I never saw a symptom of it in any hotel I visited throughout the country: on the contrary, the absence of extraordinary bustle and confusion, where such numbers have to be provided for, is not the least striking part of the affair; and only to be accounted for by supposing that the habit of living thus together, and being in some sort accountable to one another, renders individuals more considerate and courteous than they can afford to be when congregated to feed amongst us.

"I confess that, at first, a dinner of a hundred, or a hundred and fifty persons, on a hot day, alarmed me; but, the strangeness got over, I rather liked this mode of living, and, as a stranger in a new country, would certainly prefer it to the solitary mum-chance dinner of a coffee-room.

"By eleven o'clock at night the hive is hushed, and the house as quiet as any well-ordered citizen's proper dwelling. The servants in this establishment were

all Irish lads; and a civiller or better-conducted set of boys, as far as the guests were concerned, I never saw, or would desire to be waited on by. The bar was also well conducted, under the care of an obliging and very active person; and the proprietor, Mr. Boyden, or his father, constantly on the spot, both most active in all matters conducive to the ease and comfort of the visiters."

Our author most judiciously praises, among other excellent things about NewYork, Mrs. Bradshaw's fried chickens, with sauce tartarre ; upon which he dined at Harlaem." We can ourselves bear personal testimony to the excellence of that dish, and take this occasion to assure the eating world that "to fry" is to serve up a chicken to perfection.

Did our limits allow, we would quote the chapter entitled "The Steamboat," which is to the life.

Mr. Power has the eye of a true man of genius for a fine horse. His remarks on this subject are quite "knowing." On almost every occasion he mounts the box with the driver of the stage-coach, as much for the purpose of conversation as for a more extended view of the country about. The description of the drive with Mr. Tolly" from Baltimore to Washington is an amusing instance.

"The team was a capital one, and stuck to their dirty work like terriers. Some of the holes we scrambled safely by would, I seriously think, have swallowed coach and all up: the wheels were frequently buried up to the centre; and more than once we had three of our cattle down together all of-a-heap, but with whip and voice Mr. Tolly always managed to pick them out and put them on their legs again; indeed, as he said, if he could only see his leaders' heads well up, he felt 'pretty certain the coach must come through, slick as soap.'

"Mr. Tolly and myself very soon grew exceedingly intimate; a false reading of his having at starting inspired him with a high opinion of my judgment, and stirred his blood and mettle, both of which were decidedly game.

"Whilst smoking my cigar, and holding on by his side with as unconcerned an air as I could assume, I, in one of our pauses for breath, after a series of unusually heavy lurches, chanced to observe, by way of expressing my admiration, 'This is a real varmint team you've got hold on, Mr. Tolly.'

"How did you find that out, sir?' cries Tolly, biting off about a couple of ounces of 'baccy.

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Why, it's not hard to tell so much, after taking a good look at them, I guess,'

replied I.

"Well, that's rum, any how! but, I guess, you're not far out for once,' answers Mr. Tolly, with a knowing grin of satisfaction: sure enough, they are all from Varmont, and I am Varmont myself as holds 'em.-All mountain boys, horses and driver-real Yankee flesh and blood; and they can't better them, I know, neither one nor t'other, this side the Potomac." "†

We would quote entire the account of the Fancy Ball at Washington, were it exactly fair to steal the very best thing of the kind in the book. His meeting with a certain celebrated personage is laughable, and truly characteristic —

"One afternoon, about dusk, being on my way to a family party at the house occupied by the late Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Southard, I thought I had run down my distance, and began an inspection of the outward appearance of the houses, all puzzling alike, when a couple of men, lounging round a corner, single file, smoking their cigars, chanced to cross my track. Addressing the rearmost, I inquired, "Pray, sir, do you chance to know which of the houses is Mr. Southard's, the senator from New Jersey?'

*Vermont is a State famous for its wild mountain scenery, and having a breed of horses unequalled for hardihood, fine temper, and bottom: they are found all over the States, and are every where in high esteem.

†The River Potomac is held to be the dividing line between the northern and

southern States.

"I do know where Mr. Southard's house is,' replied the stranger, eyeing me as I fancied somewhat curiously; "though it is not exactly opposite. But surely you and I have met before now,-more than once too, or I am greatly mistaken!'

"That is more than probable, sir,' replied I, if you are fond of a play. My name is Power, Mr. Power of the theatre.'

"I thought so,' cried the stranger, holding out his hand; adding cordially, 'My name, sir, is Clay, Henry Clay of the senate; and I am glad, Mr. Power, that we are now personally acquainted.'

"I need hardly say, I joined in expressing the pleasure I derived from any chance which had procured me this honour, begging that I may not detain him longer.

"But stop, Mr. Power,' said the orator;-touching Mr. Southard's;-you observe yonder long-sided fellow propping up the post-office down below; only that he is waiting for me I'd accompany you to the house; which, however, you can't miss if you'll observe that it's the very next square but one.'

"With many thanks for his politeness, I here parted from Mr. Clay, to pursue my way according to his instructions, whilst he passed forward to join the tall gentleman, who waited for him at some distance near the public building which he had humourously described him as propping up.

"An accidental interview of this kind, however brief, will do more to prejudice the judgment for or against a man than a much longer and more ceremonious intercourse. I confess my impressions on this occasion were all in Mr. Clay's favour; they were confirmatory of the bon-hommie and playful humour ascribed to him by his friends and admirers, who are to be found throughout every part of the country."

Here is a story illustrative of the deference with which Yankee servants treat one other, and the little deference shown to their masters in conversation, which is too funny not to be somewhat exaggerated.

"I went out on one occasion to partake of a fine black bear, that had been killed at a house famous for the plenty, the quality, and cooking of game. There were eight or nine men of the party, some of whom had ridden out on horseback: in going over a rail-fence to the house we were to dine at, the horse I rode struck both hind feet and cast his shoes: as soon as I got into the yard, where some of the party had already dismounted, I inquired for the hostler. A good-humoured, activelooking fellow immediately made his appearance, with whom, being desirous to have my nag's feet looked after before we set out on our return, I was led into the following dialogue.

"Pray, have you a smithy in this neighbourhood?' "We've gotten a blacksmith or two, I guess.'

"At what distance is the nearest blacksmith's forge?'

"Well, I don't 'no; there is a shop about half a mile may be, or ther'bouts.'

"Can you have this horse taken down there to get two hind shoes put on?'

"Guess not, 'cept I car' him down myself.'

"Well, will you carry him down yourself?'

"Well, you see, I can't tell about that nohow at present.

tho', by an' by.'

Guess I will, if I can

"But why can't you say whether you will or will not? I'll pay you for your trouble. Have you any objection to taking the horse down?'

"Oh no! not at all, by no means. I've no objection nohow to obleege you, if, you see, I can find some other gentleman to look after my horses whiles I go?

"My companions, who had been enjoying this cross-examination of my equivocal friend, now laughed outright, and heartily did I join in the guffaw: they were to 'the manner born,' and it was my puzzled expression that so tickled them; to me, after the first surprise was over, the whole thing was indiscribably droll. I caught instantly another gentleman,' an idler about the public-house door, who for a shilling, found the cast shoes, and undertook to do for the horses whilst the first gentleman, of the stable, led my nag away to the forge.

"This was a very fair specimen, but we were to be favoured with another and a better. Mr. T. P———s, a son of the Colonel's, one of the foremost citizens of this State, was driven out in his English landau, with certain delicacies not to be expected where we dined. As the coachman, who was a servant of the old Colonel's, drew up by the inn-door, he was immediately recognised, and saluted most cordially by the landlord; who, addressing him by his name,-Jenkins, or whatever it was, hoped he was quite well, and was uncommon glad to see him.'

During this ceremony, Mr. Ps had alighted; and, in order to be particularly civil, observed with great good-humour to the landlord,

Ah, my friend, what, you remember Jenkins, do you?'

"Why yes, I guess I ought,' replied our host of the game; 'I've know'd Muster Jenkins long onough, seein' he's the gentleman as used to drive old Tom P-'g

coach.'

"The fact was, the man knew the Colonel-or old Tom Ps, as he styled him, quite well, but had forgotten Mr. Ps, who had been much in Europe, and was, moreover, put quite out of his latitude by the English landau Mr. Jenkins was driving: he guessed, I suppose, that this gentleman had hired a new master, and had consequently turned off the family of his old one."

The same spirit of romancing and exaggeration, we guess, pervades the laughable and ingenious account of meeting with an old countryman at Niagara, whom his guide under the "great fall" turns out to be.

"Och, blur an' 'oons! Mr. Power, sure it's not yer honour that's come all this way from home!'

"An explanation took place; when I found that our guide, whom I had seen some two years before as a helper in the stable of my hospitable friend Smith Barry, at Foaty, was this summer promoted to the office of Conductor,' as he styled himself, under the waterfall.

"And a most whimsical 'conductor' he proved. His cautions, and 'divil a fears!' and 'not a hap'orth o' danger!' must have been mighty assuring to the timid or nervous, if any such ever make this experiment, which, although perfectly safe, is not a little startling.

"His directions,—when we arrived at the point where the mist, pent in beneath the overhanging rock, makes it impossible to distinguish any thing, and where the rush of air is so violent as to render respiration for a few seconds almost impractic able,-were inimitable.

"Now, yer honour!" he shouted in my ear-for we moved in Indian file,whisper the next gintleman to follow you smart; and, for the love o' God! shoulder the rock close, stoop yer heads, and shut fast yer eyes, or yer wont be able to see an inch!'

"I repeated my orders verbatim, though the cutting wind made it difficult to open one's mouth.

"Now thin, yer honour,' he cried cowering down as he spoke, 'do as ye see me do; hould yer breath, and scurry after like divils!'

"With the last word away he bolted, and was lost to view in an instant. I repeated his instructions however to the next file, and, as directed, scurried after.

"This rather difficult point passed, I came upon my countryman waiting for us within the edge of the curve described by this falling ocean; he grasped my wrist firmly as I emerged from the dense drift, and shouted in my ear,

"Luk up, sir, at the green sea that's rowlin' over uz! Murder! but iv it only was to take a shlope in on uz!'

“Here we could see and breathe with perfect ease; and even the ludicrous gestures and odd remarks of my poetical countryman could not wholly rob the scene of its striking grandeur.

"I next passed beyond my guide as he stood on tiptoe against the rock upon a ledge of which we trod, and under his direction attained that limit beyond which the foot of man never pressed. I sat for one moment on the Termination Rock, and then followed my guide back to my companions, when together we once more 'scurried' into day.

"Isn't it illegant, sir?' began the 'Conductor,' as soon as we were well clear of the mist.

"Isn't it a noble sight intirely? Caps the world for grandness any way, that's sartain !'

"I need hardly say that in this opinion we all joined loudly; but Mr. Conductor was not yet done with us, he had now to give us a taste of his 'larnin.'

"I wish ye'd take notice, sir,' said he, pointing across the river with an air of authority and a look of infinite wisdom. Only take a luk at the falls, an' you'll see that Shakspeare is out altogether about the discription.'

"How's that, Pat?' inquired I, although not a little taken aback by the authority so gravely quoted by my critical friend.

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"Why, sir, Shakspeare first of all says that there's two falls; now, ye may