This is a clean, well-built town, with 8000 or 9000 inhabitants. The
expense of education is 300 dollars; and if that cannot be paid, the
students are educated free, subject to instructing others a little.
There is no barrier here to the poorest man's son becoming the
President, as free-schools abound. We then drove to Mount Auburn, a
cemetery delightfully situated about five miles from Boston. They pay
4000 dollars for a lot for a family burying-place. Here some eminent men
are interred. There are some beautiful walks over this one-hundred-acres
plot of ground. We then drove round by Charlestown, a place of 10,000
inhabitants, where the Bostonians reside, well-situated; and so on to
Bunker-hill Monument, where the battle was fought in 1775, when General
James Warren fell: it is a very substantial mark of Jonathan conquering
John. Bull. I then visited the Massachusetts State-house: the
Congress-house and Representatives are very commodious. I ascended the
top, which gives a most commanding view of the whole city: it was very
clear, and the view was most extensive. Like New York, it is upon an
island, surrounded (except a few yards) with the River Charles and the
Ocean. Home to dinner, and gave my friends T. Cochrane and Mr. Schofield
two bottles of champagne, it being my last day in the States. We then
proceeded to Perkins's Institution for the Blind, managed by my
fellow-passenger, Dr. Howe. We saw the gifted Laura Bridgman, whose
biography I give elsewhere.[A] She is an interesting-looking girl,
fifteen years old, deaf, dumb, blind, and no smell: still Providence
makes her contented and happy: she can read and write, and understand
geography with her fingers, and is blessed with the knowledge of Divine
grace. It was truly interesting and gratifying to see the blind girls
read and write and work, all so clean and neat in their persons, and
apparently happy. Also the boys are instructed in a similar way, and,
when ready, put out to some trade; and, if no master can be found, they
instruct them in the institution to make mattresses, chair-bottoms, &c.,
several of whom I saw working. We then visited South Boston State
Hospital for the Insane, at the head of which is Dr. Stedman, who
conducts it admirably on the enlightened principles of conciliation and
kindness, and evinces a confidence and apparent trust even in mad
people. Each ward in this institution is shaped like a long gallery or
hall; and, as we walked along, the patients flocked round us
unrestrained, with all sorts of stories. I had ten minutes' talk with an
elderly lady, who had a great many scraps of finery, of gauze, &c.,
which gave her a strange appearance: she fancied she was the hostess of
the mansion. Another I talked to said she was Queen of the States.
Another poor fellow, gentlemanly in appearance, said it was a hard run
between him and Prince Albert who should have the Queen of England. He
had written and received several letters from her. I discovered they had
all some weak point, and the doctor gave me the cue. I felt quite at
ease amongst them: nearly all are unrestrained; and, strange to say,
they never talk to each other, or molest each other in any way. We then
visited the House of Correction for the State, where about three-fourths
of the expenses are paid by the prisoners' industry. It is a
well-managed prison, with strict discipline: no conversation allowed,
and all kept at work, both men and women: the latter are very bad to
manage. Comfort and cleanliness are very apparent. We then visited the
Orphan Asylum and House of Reformation for young offenders, and for
neglected and indigent boys who have committed no crimes, but perhaps
soon would if they were not taken from the hungry streets and sent
here: this is called the Boylston School. There is the House of
Industry for old, helpless paupers: these words are painted on the
walls--"Self-government, quietude, and peace are blessings." This was a
clean, neat place, with a plant or two on the window-sill, a row of
crockery upon the shelf, or small display of coloured prints upon the
whitewashed wall. We have no such sights in our unions.
[Footnote A: See Appendix.]
I left South Boston much gratified with all I had seen; but pleasure
must have an alloy. My companion drove up against a cart in the dark,
broke both shafts, the horse kicked the vehicle all to pieces, and how
we escaped is wonderful. I got my knee bruised, and that was all. I
retired to rest, grateful to Providence for my narrow escape.
_Friday, and last day in America._--Saw the famed Dr. Channing's
Unitarian chapel; and witnessed such a demonstration the previous night,
with at least 10,000 boys, non-electors, parading the streets with
torches, crying "Clay, of Ashland, near Lexington, Kentucky!" I really
feel that I am leaving Boston with regret: I never was more pleased with
any town, both in a business and social point of view. I have many kind
and intelligent friends that I shall leave with regret. The Bostonians
are more English in idea, smart to a degree, and well situated for
commerce. The town and suburbs abound with charitable institutions of
every description; and every article of living is half the price it is
in England. I visited Famenil Hall, the oldest building in the town, and
famed in American history.
In conclusion, my feelings prompt me to acknowledge, with a deep sense
of gratitude to Messrs. Overend and Gurney, the very sympathetic and
high-character letter they gave me to Messrs. Prime, Ward, and King, of
New York, as I had taken the journey to recruit my health. From that
letter emanated others to every town I visited, which at once placed me
in communication with the most intelligent of men. I am further bound to
add, contrary to the general opinion formed in England, that I met with
the most open, frank, communicative people I ever came in contact with;
and further I am bound to add, I frequently had occasion to blush for my
own ignorance, both about Europe and America. To use a vulgar
expression, they are a wide-awake people. Their cheap publications,
their thirst for knowledge, and their naturally quick perceptions, place
them above the level in society. That America must rise, and become a
great country, is my earnest wish and belief. I do not like to
individualize, but I feel an inward gratitude to many kind and dear
friends whom T made in my short sojourn, whose study it was to make me
happy, and my journey a pleasing one.
At one o'clock I paid my bill, and proceeded to East Boston, on board
the _Acadia_; and set sail exactly at two o'clock, P.M., for England,
with 25 passengers.
On leaving the harbour, on the right, we passed several small islands,
and the Liverpool light and Dorchester heights, where the Orphan Asylum
is situated on a lofty eminence. On the left we passed Lynn and Salem,
and steamed it along in good style during the night.
_Saturday_ morning, the _2nd November_.--Spoke the _Hibernia_ at eight
o'clock, A.M.: about 130 passengers, all on deck, with whom we exchanged
cheers as she passed. I was struck with the warlike appearance she had:
whether it has been contemplated or not, I discovered that all these
mailsteamers are admirably adapted for war: all they require are
port-holes for cannon. They are made to Admiralty order, and cost
£60,000 each. At six P.M. we passed the Devil's Limb, a rock close by
Seal Island, where the _Colombia_ was lost. The coast is dangerous
between Boston and Halifax. The captain was up both nights.
_Sunday_ morning, at seven.--I was aroused by the discharge of a brace
of cannon, and on coming on deck I found we were in Halifax harbour.
Population of this place is 20,000. Governed by Lord Falkland. Nova
Scotia is about 300 miles in circumference. Staple of the town, fish: I
should have thought dogs, for I saw some hundreds. It is a mean-looking
town: nearly all wood houses: a very good fort and government-house. St.
John's, New Brunswick, is 250 miles from here: population, 35,000:
governed by Sir W. Colebrooke: staple, timber and deals, and
whale-fishing. I intended visiting St. John's, but had not time. It was
fortunate, as I should have been left behind. Owing to some breakdown,
the mail did not arrive in Halifax in time for us: neither did the
Quebec mail, by the Gulf of St. Lawrence, from Quebec, _viâ_ Picton, 120
miles from Halifax, arrive; and, because Captain Harrison would not wait
for these mails, the Governor would not allow him the Halifax: so we
started at half-past ten, leaving them all behind. At Halifax I made the
acquaintance of Mr. Howe, late of the Executive Council, and Collector
of Excise, which he resigned: salary, £700 a year. He is now editor of
the Nova Scotia newspaper. I shall not forget his politeness, although
he is a red-hot Radical. They send whalers from Halifax to the South
Seas. Opposite Halifax is Dartmouth, a town of 15,000 inhabitants,
whence they send plaster and rum to the States. We passed St. George's
Island, a battery, and the Thumb Cap, where the _Tribune_ was lost. We
also passed the Curzon and Devil's Island Beacon, and were much
gratified by passing a fleet of men-of-war, the largest of which, the
_Illustrious_, 74 guns, 700 hands, was in full sail, with a band of
music playing and singing "_Home, sweet home_," which went to my very
soul. They were bound for Bermuda, West India Islands. Their Admiral,
Sir C. Adam, was on board, with sixteen officers. At five P.M. we were
out of sight of land, steaming it along at ten knots.
PASSAGE HOME PER ACADIA.
Nov. 1st.--Light westerly winds, with fine clear weather. All sails set.
Lat. 42° 57'; Long. 66° 57' 87".
2nd.--Westerly winds, steady, with clear weather, and smooth water.
Passed the _Hibernia_ at eight A.M., from Liverpool, bound to Boston. At
four saw Seal Island, bearing north: distance about seven miles. At
daylight made Halifax harbour.
Lat. 42° 20'; Long. 71° 4'.
3rd.--At seven landed the mails. At eleven cast off from the wharf, and
proceeded to sea. Light winds, westerly, with smooth water. All sails
set.
394 miles. Lat. 44° 39-1/2'; Long. 62° 33-3/4'.
4th.--Winds from S.W. to N.W., light, with hazy weather, and small rain.
231 miles. Lat. 45° 17'; Long. 58° 0'.
5th.--Wind N.E., light, with fine clear weather, and smooth water. At
eleven Cape Race, 10 miles distance, bearing to the east. At four
exchanged signals with the brig _Mary and Martha_. Wind standing to the
southward.
241 miles. Lat. 46° 30'; Long. 52° 47'.
6th.--Strong easterly gales, with dark cloudy weather, and a heavy sea
running.
202 miles. Lat. 47° 10'; Long. 47° 56'.
7th.--Moderate breeze, and clear weather: wind easterly, with a head
sea.
178 miles. Lat. 48° 12'; Long. 44° 17'.
8th.--Strong S.E. gales: dark gloomy weather, and heavy N.E. swell.
214 miles. Lat. 49° 0'; Long. 39° 0'.
9th.--Winds strong N.E. breezes, with drizzly rains: dark cloudy
weather: heavy northerly swell running.
238 miles. Lat. 50° 19'; Long. 33° 12'.
10th, _Sunday_.--Light baffling winds, and clear weather, with a heavy
northerly swell or sea. Performed Divine service at eleven A.M. This
put me in mind of the pilot's song--
"Fear not, but trust in Providence,
Wherever you may be."
256 miles. Lat. 50° 31'; Long. 26° 30'.
11th.--Strong southerly winds, with dark hazy weather, and a heavy sea
running. Saw a vessel in distress. Hove-to, and found she was the _John
and Mary_ of Dublin, a perfect wreck, and deserted, the sea running over
her, and for some minutes out of sight, except the masts.
244 miles. Lat. 50° 30'; Long. 20° 10'.
12th.--Strong breezes from the west: dark cloudy weather and rain, and
heavy sea running.
280 miles. Lat. 50° 54'; Long. 12° 44'.
13th.--Strong breezes: thick hazy weather, with rain. At six A.M. made
the land (Irish). Kinsale Light bearing North: distance, 10 miles. Noon,
fine clear weather, with heavy southerly swell. Waterford Harbour Light
bearing north: distance, 12 miles. At four P.M. spoke the _Alexander
Grant_, from Quebec. Passed the _Coningsby_ light-ship and Saltee
Islands. Thence Cansore Point, county of Wexford, and Holyhead at
eleven.
243 miles.
14th.--At seven A.M. arrived in Liverpool, and made the town echo with
our cannon.
180 miles.
APPENDICES.
I.
BIOGRAPHY OF LAURA BRIDGMAN.
She was born in Hanover, New Hampshire, on the 21st December, 1829. She
is described as having been a very spritely and pretty infant, with
bright blue eyes. She was, however, so puny and feeble until she was a
year and a half old, that her parents hardly hoped to rear her. She was
subject to severe fits, which seemed to rack her frame almost beyond her
power of endurance, and life was held by the feeblest tenure; but when a
year and a half old she seemed to rally, the dangerous symptoms
subsided, and at twenty months old she was perfectly well. Then her
mental powers, hitherto stinted in their growth, rapidly developed
themselves; and during the four months of health which she enjoyed she
appears (making due allowance for a fond mother's account) to have
displayed a considerable degree of intelligence. But suddenly she
sickened again: her disease raged with great violence during five weeks,
when her eyes and ears were inflamed, suppurated, and their contents
were discharged. But, though sight and hearing were gone for ever, the
poor child's sufferings were not ended. The fever raged during seven
weeks: for five months she was kept in bed in a darkened room. It was a
year before she could walk unsupported, and two years before she could
sit up all day. It was now observed that her sense of smell was almost
entirely destroyed, and consequently that her taste was much blunted.
It was not until four years of age that the poor child's bodily health
seemed restored, and she was able to enter upon her apprenticeship of
life and the world. But what a situation was hers! The darkness and the
silence of the tomb were around her;--no mother's smile called forth her
answering smile; no father's voice taught her to imitate his sounds:
brothers and sisters were but forms of matter which resisted not her
touch, but which differed not from the furniture of the house save in
warmth and in the power of locomotion, and not even in these respects
from the dog and the cat.
But the immortal spirit which had been implanted within her could not
die, nor be maimed, nor mutilated; and, though most of its avenues of
communication with the world were cut off, it began to manifest itself
through the others. As soon, as she could walk she began to explore the
room, and then the house. She became familiar with the form, density,
weight, and heat of every article she could lay her hands upon. She
followed her mother, and felt her hands and arms as she was occupied
about the house; and her disposition to imitate led her to do everything
herself. She even learned to sew a little, and knit. The reader need
scarcely be told, however, that the opportunities of communicating with
her were very, very limited, and that the moral effects of her wretched
state soon began to appear. Those who cannot be enlightened by reason
can only be controlled by force; and this, coupled with her great
privations, must soon have reduced her to a worse condition than that of
the beasts that perish, but for timely and unhoped-for aid. At this time
I was so fortunate as to hear of the child, and immediately hastened to
Hanover to see her. I found her with a well-formed figure, a
strongly-marked, nervous-sanguine temperament, a large and
beautifully-shaped head, and the whole system in healthy action. The
parents were easily induced to consent to her coming to Boston; and on
the 4th October, 1837, they brought her to the Institution. For a while
she was much bewildered; and after waiting about two weeks, until she
became acquainted with her new locality and somewhat familiar with the
inmates, the attempt was made to give her knowledge of arbitrary signs,
by which she could interchange thoughts with others. There was one of
two ways to be adopted--either to go on to build up a language of signs
on the basis of the natural language which she had already commenced
herself, or to teach her the purely arbitrary language in common use:
that is, to give her a sign for every individual thing, or to give her a
knowledge of letters, by combination of which she might express her idea
of the existence, and the mode and condition of existence, of anything.
The former would have been easy, but very ineffectual: the latter seemed
very difficult, but, if accomplished, very effectual. I determined,
therefore, to try the latter.
The first experiments were made by taking articles in common use, such
as knives, forks, spoons, keys, &c., and pasting upon them labels with
their names printed in raised letters. These she felt very carefully,
and soon, of course, distinguished that the crooked lines _spoon_
differed as much from the crooked lines _key_ as the spoon differed from
the key in form. Then small detached labels, with the same words printed
upon them, were put into her hands, and she soon observed that they were
similar to the ones pasted on the articles. She showed her perception
of this similarity by laying the label _key_ upon the key, and the label
_spoon_ upon the spoon. She was encouraged here by the natural sign of
approbation--patting on the head. The same process was then repeated
with all the articles she could handle, and she very easily learned to
place the proper labels upon them. It was evident, however, that the
only intellectual exercise was that of imitation and memory. She
recollected that the label _book_ was placed upon a book; and she
repeated the process first from imitation, next from memory, with only
the motive of love of approbation, but apparently without the
intellectual perception of any relation between the things. After a
while, instead of labels, the individual letters were given to her on
detached bits of paper: they were arranged, side by side so as to spell
_book, key_, &c.; then they were mixed up in a heap, and a sign was made
for her to arrange them herself, so as to express the words _book, key_,
&c., and she did so. Hitherto the process had been mechanical, and the
success about as great as teaching a very knowing dog a variety of
tricks. The poor child had sat in mute amazement, and patiently imitated
everything her teacher did; but now the truth began to flash upon
her--her intellect began to work. She perceived that here was a way by
which she could herself make up a sign of anything that was in her own
mind, and show it to another mind; and at once her countenance lighted
up with a human expression: it was no longer a dog or parrot: it was an
immortal spirit eagerly seizing upon a new link of union with other
spirits! I could almost fix upon the moment when this truth dawned upon
her mind. I saw that the great obstacle was overcome, and that
henceforward nothing but plain and straightforward efforts were to be
used. The next step was to procure a set of metal types, with the
different letters of the alphabet cast upon their ends: also a board in
which were square holes, into which holes she could set the types, so
that the letters on their ends could alone be felt above the surface.
She was exercised for several weeks in this way; and then the important
step was taken of teaching her how to represent the different letters by
the position of her fingers, instead of the cumbrous apparatus of the
board and types. This was the period, about three months after she had
commenced, that the first report of her case was made, in which it is
stated "that she has just learned the manual alphabet as used by the
deaf mutes; and it is a subject of delight and wonder to see how
rapidly, correctly, and eagerly she goes on her with labours." At the
end of the year a second report of her case was made, from which the
following is an extract:--"It has been ascertained, beyond the
possibility of doubt, that she cannot see a ray of light--cannot hear
the least sound--and never exercises her sense of smell, if she have
any. Of beautiful sights, and sweet sounds, and pleasant odours she has
no conception: nevertheless, she seems as happy and as playful as a bird
or a lamb; and the employment of her intellectual faculties, or the
acquirement of a new idea, gives her a vivid pleasure, which is plainly
marked in her expressive features."
She chooses for her friends and companions those children who are
intelligent, and can talk best with her; and she evidently dislikes to
be with those who are deficient in intellect, unless, indeed, she can
make them serve her purposes, which she is evidently inclined to do. She
takes advantage of them, and makes them wait upon her in a manner which
she knows she could not exact from others; and in various ways she shows
her Saxon blood.
* * * * *
Such are a few fragments from the simple, but most interesting and
instructive, history of Laura Bridgman. The name of her great benefactor
and friend who writes it is Dr. Howe. There are not many persons, I hope
and believe, who, after reading these passages, can ever hear that name
with indifference.
II.
MEMORANDA.
Indian corn--58 lbs. to the bushel: price, 49 c.
Columbus discovered America in 1492.
Mr. Rathbourn projected the City of the Falls, and built Buffalo; and
was confined afterwards seven years for forgery.
Sir C. Metcalfe, Governor of Canada.
Lord Falkland, " " Nova Scotia.
Sir W. Colebrooke, " " New Brunswick.
Sir John Harvey, " " Newfoundland.
Captain Fitzroy, " " Prince Edward Isld.
_Latitude_ is North and South: _Longitude_ East and West.
A _Geographical Mile_ is one-seventh more than a statute mile.
A _Knot_ is a geographical mile.
Price of Negroes, 8 dollars to 1200 dollars.
Females, 4 dollars to 600 dollars.
Negroes--Mulattoes--Quadroon--Creole--European--Georgian (Asia).
Tobacco is grown at--
New Orleans.
Petersburg }
Richmond } Virginia.
Maryland and Kentucky.
Lower and Upper Canada were united three years ago into one province.
There are also St. John's, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island,
Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia.
In Lower Canada eight-tenths are French, and in Upper Canada about
equal.
500 bales of cotton are said to be used in New York yearly for ladies'
fronts and bustles.
Soldiers in the States enlist for five years only.
G.M. weighed to-day, October 9, 149 lbs., or 10 st. 9 lbs.
Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron, and Superior contain half the fresh water in
the world.
Taxes on good land, say 50 dollars per acre, are as follows: State-tax,
15 cents per acre; county, 15 c.; road, 7 c. to 15 c.; horse, 30 c,.
cow, 15 c. each; servant-man, 1 d. 50 c.; waggon, 2 d. 50 c.; dog, 50 c.
If sheep are killed the State pays.
Representatives are for four years; get 4 dollars per day: State
Senators for one year, 6 d.: Representatives to Congress, four years,
8 d.: Congressional Senators, four years, 12 d.: Governor of a State,
two years, 5000 d. a year: has power of pardoning criminals, calling
military out, &c.; Lieut.-Governor, two years, 2500 d. a year: he is
Chairman of State Senators. Each State has a state attorney, secretary
of state, treasurer, &c.
DUTIES.
Barrel of wheat flour into Canada 2 s. for 196 lbs.
Thence into England 7-1/2 d. for do.
Price of Wheat in the States 3 d. 75 c. per 60 lbs.
Barley 3 d. 75 c. "
Oats 3 d. 75 c. "
Wheat from Canada pays 3 s. per qr. (stationary).
Price in
Kingston, Price in Price in
Upp. Can. Canada. U.S.
s. d. s. d. s. d.
3 6 Wheat, 60 lbs. or 32 qts. 3 9 3 0
1 6 Barley, 48 lbs. or 32 qts. 2 4 2 0
0 10-1/2 Oats, 36 lbs. or 32 qts. 1 3 1 0
Rye, 56 lbs. or 32 qts. 2 9 2 3
Flour, 196 lbs., 15 s., 18 s. 9 d., 2 1 s. 3 d., Montreal: 17 s.,
States.
A Cord of Wood is eight feet long, four wide, and four high, or 128
square feet: worth at Brockville, 1 d.; at Montreal, 3 d.
III.
POPULATION OF THE STATES.
EASTERN STATES.
_Free, or New England._
Number of
Counties. Population.
Maine 13 501,793
New Hampshire 8 284,547
Vermont 14 291,948
Massachusetts 14 737,699
Rhode Island 5 108,830
Connecticut 8 309,978
North, New York 58 2,428,921
New Jersey 18 373,306
Pennsylvania 54 1,724,033
Delaware 3 780,085
Michigan 32 212,267
WESTERN STATES.
Ohio 79 1,519,467
Indiana 87 686,866
Illinois 87 476,183
Missouri 62 383,702
SOUTHERN SLAVE STATES.
Maryland 20 469,232
Virginia 119 1,239,797
North Carolina 68 753,419
South Carolina 29 594,398
Kentucky (S.W.) 90 779,828
Tennessee 72 829,210
Georgia 83 691,392
Alabama 79 590,756
Mississippi 56 375,651
Louisiana 39 352,411
Arkansas 39 97,574
----------
District Columbia (Slave) 2 43,712
Iowa Territory 18 43,112
Wisconsin Territory 22 30,945
Florida Territory (Slave) 20 54,447
IV.
CERTIFICATE OF NATURALIZATION.