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the gift of Charles the Tenth. Neither of these pictures would be thought worthy of admiration in Europe, but here they are considered chef-d'œuvres. The new Unitarian Church is a fine building; the hospital, too, is large, and stands contiguous to a spacious and well-filled graveyard. This, though no doubt mighty convanient,' as an Irishman would say, must be, I think, rather depressing to the spirits of the unfortunate invalids. It is said that Baltimore is the most violently democratic city in the Union, and that the prevailing wish is for 'war to the knife' with England. I believe, however, that it is principally those who have nothing to lose who indulge in these insane aspirations. But this class are, alas! in the great majority, and they are also the most powerful, strengthened, as they are, by the numbers of discontented English and Irish emigrants who overrun the country. No one looks poor at Baltimore, nor have we seen a single mendicant in the town. Beggars are rare everywhere in America-but I remember that we did see a very few in the streets of Philadelphia. This may be partly owing to the number of charitable institutions, and to the extent to which private benevolence is carried, for there is almost an inducement held out to idleness in Philadelphia.

Is it not true that some of our most remarkable, and often our most picturesque buildings, are the 'parish unions,' where, in the workhouse homes of

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England,' may be daily witnessed the sad and slow starvation of the poor.' Long may it be, before such a refuge (however pleasant its exterior) be needed in this country! Yes, even though emigrant ships from over-populated England, and from starving and miserable Ireland, pour in their thousands upon thousands, centuries must elapse before the wildernesses and prairies of the New World are constrained to cry to those who seek in them a refuge and a home, Hold, enough!' for we have no more room for you.'

But I must return to the war mania, which, among the poorer classes, is now raging in this state. Is is very evident that the better informed and more influential portion of the community are perfectly aware of the impolicy of coming to extremities with Great Britain, either on the subject of Oregon, or on any other. But though I admit that the well educated, and moderate men, are averse to a war, I cannot quite allow that even they are capable of carrying their moderation quite so far as to abstain from boasting of what they could and would do in the event of actual hostilities being commenced with the mother country. There is (it would appear) nothing too wonderful or miraculous for American valour to perform. Was not General Scott thee greatest general from Aychillees right down to Mu-ratt?' and Wasn't it true that the Britishers whipt all the world, and

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that they whipt the Britishers?' Verily, they would rival Xerxes, whip the Atlantic, and challenge the Alleghanies. The idea of the possibility of their being worsted in the conflict never seemed to enter their heads. It is a pity that they should indulge so much in boasting and hyperbole; for it is generally the coward and the bully only who are guilty of these sins against good taste. No one can deny the claim of the Americans to a degree of personal courage bordering on recklessness, and to a carelessness of life, which is in itself a proof of the greatest physical bravery. Least of all should we fall into the error of despising those as foes who come of the same race as ourselves. There can be no doubt that it is better for both countries to remain friends, than to seek for causes of enmity with each other. To-morrow we take our departure, so I shall close this long letter.

WE

Baltimore-November.

E had a good deal of discussion between ourselves, as to whether or not we should take a look at Washington, before we crossed the Alleghanies on our route to the south. We at length decided, that as the journey thither, from Baltimore, would not occupy more than three or four hours, it would be more satisfactory to take a peep of the city of magnificent distances,' as it has been called, before proceeding further southward.

We left Baltimore after dinner, and did not arrive at Washington till late at night. The latter part of the journey (for we saw it by daylight on our return) is through a hilly country, covered for the most part with stunted trees, and copse woods. Congress was not sitting, so the empty town looked more than half deserted. It is always described by the Americans themselves as a dull place, and I have generally remarked, that it is an

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The

unpopular one with them. This is owing, I think, to that very want which made its aspect particularly agreeable to us—namely, the absence of all show of business and commerce. I could hardly fancy we were in an American city: everything looked so melancholy and gentlemanlike.' streets were wide and airy, and evidently laid out with an eye to beauty, as well as to convenience, We could have imagined ourselves in some English watering-place out of season, and deserted by its usual frequenters. Of course, we went to see the capital, though it was for the moment devoid of the interest which the actual sitting of congress must lend to it. The position of the capital is very fine; and the magnificent white stone building overlooks the city and the adjoining country.

The details of the little we saw, on this short visit of a few hours, I shall keep till our return from the Southern States, when it is our purpose to make a longer stay at the seat of government. The exteriors of the Treasury,' 'Patent Office,' and Post Office,' were all very handsome. The latter is built of white marble. The President's house, The White House,' as it is called, is as unpretending in appearance as its name, being a formal-looking mansion, of very moderate dimensions. The President himself not being at home, we went through the reception rooms, a ceremony which does not occupy a long space of time, as