BOSTON IN SIGHT.

27

intercourse, so ill prepare them for what their existence must inevitably be on their return to their own country. How much better would it be were they to be accustomed from their early childhood to the evils of their moral and social condition; and how infinitely is it to be desired that in addition to their dangerous gift of beauty, they should not be instructed in the many graces and accomplishments which a Parisian education is calculated to bestow! I do not enlarge upon the peculiar tastes which such a course of study is liable to produce, though they are, perhaps, often productive of the greatest evils to the hapless possessor. But I cannot now dwell on this subject, though it is one which (even in persons usually unthinking) must call forth any kindly sympathies they may possess, and which to you is, as I am well aware, one of peculiar interest and

moment.

Boston is in sight, and I shall, therefore, close my letter, and send you another when I have seen a little of the country and its natives.

MY

my first glimpse of Boston, when (for the last time, as I fondly hoped) I ascended the slippery leaden ladder, and hastened up to the hurricane deck. Whether it was that the sun was shining more brightly than I had seen it do for weeks, or that I looked upon Boston as the happy means of bringing our weary voyage to a conclusion, and was, therefore, inclined to look upon it with favourable eyes, I cannot say; but the effect of its first appearance was to us, at least, very pleasing. Numerous small islands are studded over the bay, and though they are bleak and barren, and many of them only fit to afford a resting-place to the weary bird blown o'er the deep,' yet they give variety, if not 'enchantment, to the view.'

Boston is built on a conical-shaped hill, the summit of which is crowned by the state house, with its lofty cupola, the hill itself being covered

BOSTON HARBOUR.

29

with houses of an uniform white hue. On the right may be observed the obelisk at Charlestown, while in the foreground are seen the tall masts of the shipping, and from which hung pendant the colours of every nation, and through the intricacies of which our gallant vessel was soon to thread her way. While occupied with making these observations, I perceived that we were steaming slowly through a narrow channel, on either side of which forts were erected, one of which goes by the name of Fort Independence, while the other is (I think) called Fort Warren. The Americans on board, who were assembled together on the hurricane deck, looked on with no little pride and exultation on the imposing appearance of their great maritime city. On every hand, one heard loud boasts of the perfect security of the harbour, and unqualified assertions as to the utter impossibility of the Britishers' ever being able to make good an entry into its fastnesses. A war between the two nations is at this time so very probable an event, the Oregon dispute being at its height, that I was the less surprised at the belligerent ideas which seemed uppermost in every breast. I confess, that when I saw the extreme narrowness of the channel which formed the entrance to the harbour, and glanced at the forts on either side, I began to have some slight misgivings myself as to our chance of being able to take possession of the city if it should

30

WELL-ARRANGED CUSTOM HOUSE.

be considered necessary to do so. A cheerful smile, however, which I observed on the countenance of an English engineer officer, reassured me. There would not be much difficulty in keeping us out,' said he; two or three old vessels loaded with stones, and sunk just about where we are now, would effectually prevent all ingress into Boston by sea.' It was cheering to think how easily their best harbour might be rendered useless to our enemies, in case of war. The same thing might be affirmed of, I believe, almost all the American ports.

But the loud notes of departure were now beginning; already the saloon was emptied of its guests, and the long shining tables looked like those of some banquet - hall deserted.' As the vessel came slowly to an anchor, every one seemed not only ready to depart, but in the greatest possible hurry to rush on shore. And who could wonder at their anxiety and eagerness, suffering, as most of them had done, with such intensity for fourteen days and a half! The deck was crowded with trunks, packing-cases, and carpet-bags, awaiting, each in its turn, the usually unceremonious ransacking of the custom-house officers. We fancied that, it being Sunday, there would be some delay in the passing of our baggage; but no such thing occurred, and to us, accustomed to European delays, incivilities, and extortion, it was quite astonishing to see the celerity with which the baggage of more

A COLLATERAL ACQUAINTANCE.

31

than a hundred passengers was disposed of. There was neither wrangling nor complaints, nor, as far as we could see, bribery or corruption. The fact was, that very few trunks were opened at all, whether from absence of suspicion or lack of time I cannot say, but so it was.

As far as we ourselves were concerned, we did not remain a day or even an hour at Boston after our disembarkation; for we were immediately hurried off by a friend of a friend, a sort of collateral acquaintance, not personally known to us before, to his residence, some thirty miles from the city. We were by no means sorry to have an opportunity of seeing the interior of a New-England habitation, and also of obtaining a glimpse of some portion, at least, of the state of Massachusets. Added to this, it being Sunday, there was literally nothing to be seen or done at Boston, and we were too much pressed for time, owing to the lateness of the season, to fritter any of it away in useless delays. Our host to be was a keen intelligent Yankee, a good deal in the Sam Slick style, with a heart full of hospitality, and a face redolent of fun and humour. He had a fund of anecdote which appeared perfectly inexhaustible, and was himself frequently the hero of some of the most wondrous escapes and adventures which ever occurred to mortal man-to string together.

Having described our new companion to the best