But to the questions your Lordship does me the honor to ask me in regard to the Americans, I mean those of our old colonies: they appear to me, from all I have heard and seen of them, a rough, ignorant, positive, very selfish, yet hospitable people. Strongly attached to their own opinions, but still more so to their interests, in regard to which they have inconceivable sagacity and address; but in all other respects I think naturally inferior to the Europeans; as education does so much, it is however difficult to ascertain this. I am rather of opinion they would not have refused submission to the stamp act, or disputed the power of the legislature at home, had not their minds been first embittered by what touched their interests so nearly, the restraints laid on their trade with the French and Spanish settlements, a trade by which England was an immense gainer; and by which only a few enormously rich West India planters were hurt. Every advantage you give the North Americans in trade centers at last in the mother country; they are the bees, who roam abroad for that honey which enriches the paternal hive. Taxing them immediately after their trade is restrained, seems like drying up the source, and expecting the stream to flow. Yet too much care cannot be taken to support the majesty of government, and assert the dominion of the parent country. A good mother will consult the interest and happiness of her children, but will never suffer her authority to be disputed. An equal mixture of mildness and spirit cannot fail of bringing these mistaken people, misled by a few of violent temper and ambitious views, into a just sense of their duty. I have the honor to be, My Lord, &c. William Fermor. LETTER 134. To Mrs. Temple, Pall Mall. May 5. I have got my Emily again, to my great joy; I am nobody without her. As the roads are already very good, we walk and ride perpetually, and amuse ourselves as well as we can, _en attendant_ your brother, who is gone a settlement hunting. The quickness of vegetation in this country is astonishing; though the hills are still covered with snow, and though it even continues in spots in the vallies, the latter with the trees and shrubs in the woods are already in beautiful verdure; and the earth every where putting forth flowers in a wild and lovely variety and profusion. 'Tis amazingly pleasing to see the strawberries and wild pansies peeping their little foolish heads from beneath the snow. Emily and I are prodigiously fond after having been separated; it is a divine relief to us both, to have again the delight of talking of our lovers to each other: we have been a month divided; and neither of us have had the consolation of a friend to be foolish to. Fitzgerald dines with us: he comes. Adieu! yours, A. Fermor. LETTER 135. To the Earl of ----. Silleri, May 5. My Lord,