The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. I., No. 4, December, 1834Various
History
The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. I., No. 4, December, 1834
Various
American literature -- 19th century -- Periodicals
wonder, or of historic fame: patiently answering my innumerable
questions; and explaining, with considerate minuteness, whatever
occurred as needing explanation, in the vast and varied round of moral
and physical inquiry. In surveying literary, charitable, and political
institutions--in trying to ascertain, by careful, and doubtless,
troublesome cross-questionings, the structure and practical effects of
judicial, and school, and pauper systems--in examining the machinery
(human and inanimate) of manufactories--in probing their tendencies
upon minds and morals--in 'stumbling o'er recollections,' in Boston, on
Bunker's hill, and around Lexington--I found guides, enlighteners, and
hosts, such as I can never hope to see surpassed, if equalled, for
friendliness and intelligence. A friend of ours from Virginia, who was
in the city of Boston with his family when I was, carried a letter of
introduction to one of the citizens. "This gentleman, for three days,"
said our friend, "gave himself up entirely to us; brought his carriage
to the hotel, and carried us in it over the city, and all its beautiful
environs; in short, he seemed to think that he could not do enough to
amuse and gratify us." To enjoy such treatment as this, one must, of
course, in general, come introduced, by letter or otherwise. Then--nay,
according to my experience, in some instances without any
introduction,--the tide of kindness flows as ungrudgingly as that of
Virginia hospitality, and far more beneficially to the object: at an
expense, too, not only of money, but of time--which here, more
emphatically than any where else in America, _is money_. When
travelling on foot, I had no letters to present--no introduction,
except of myself. Still, unbought civilities, and more than civilities,
usually met me. A farmer, at whose house I obtained comfortable
quarters on the first night of my walk, refused all compensation,
giving me at the same time a hearty welcome, and an invitation to stay
to breakfast. Next day, a man in a jersey wagon, overtook me, and
invited me to ride with him. I did so, for an hour, while our roads
coincided: and found him intelligent, as well as friendly. Whenever I
wanted, along the road, refreshing drinks were given me;--cider,
switchell, and water--the two first always unasked for. One _gudewife_,
at whose door I called for a glass of water, made me sit down, treated
me abundantly to cider; and, finding that my object was to see the
country and learn the ways of its people, laid herself out to impart
such items of information as seemed likely to interest me: wishing me
'great success' at parting. Many similar instances of kindness
occurred. It is true, none of the country people invited me to partake
of their meals, except my first host just mentioned--an omission,
however, for which I was prepared, because it arose naturally from the
condition of things here. One testimonial more you shall have, to New
England benevolence, from a third person.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account