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MRS. TROLLOPE'S STATEMENTS.

467

United States, of being guilty of gross improprieties in their religious assemblies, such as made her, and must have made her readers, shudder, rests, so far as depends on her own testimony, on what passed on two occasions at one Presbyterian meeting at Cincinnati,

-on one occasion between the hours of 11 P. M. and 3 A. M. at a camp-meeting in the western part of America,—and on one occasion at the Baltimore Conference. Here, too, it ought not to be lost sight of, that her general accusation, so far as respects Cincinnati, ought to be very much restricted, even holding her statement as correct, for half the churches there, as already mentioned, hold doctrines directly opposed to those of the Ultra-Methodists. This is the result of a very careful examination of the evidence, and cannot but be regarded as deciding the question of Mrs. Trollope's absolute and complete incompetency and unfitness to maintain the opinions she has promulgated on an important subject. No doubt she attempts to bolster up her views by reference to conversations with servants, mantua-makers, &c. but she abstains, like her predecessor, Captain Hall, from giving names and dates, whether from motives of delicacy, like that gallant officer, or to render it impossible to trace the stories and refute them, I know not; but, referring to those stories on which Mrs. Trollope relies the most, what do they amount to? First, There is the maid-servant, (Chap. 6), whom Mrs. Trollope eulogizes as an excellent servant, performing more than was expected of her; but she was a professor of religion, and, when taken ill

and delirious, "her wandering thoughts seemed to ramble to Heaven." This was enough for Mrs. Trollope, for, when she went for a few days to the country, some gossiping neighbour having told Mrs. Trollope many circumstances prejudicial to her character, she communicates them to this excellent servant on her return, refusing at the same time, to tell her who was her informer, and immediately dismissed her. This piece of flagrant injustice on the part of her mistress, did not prevent this meek, and for aught that Mrs. Trollope mentions, pious creature, from leaving the house without first wishing" all the family good bye,”—an example of Christian charity, which it would be well that all such people as Mrs. Trollope should follow.

Then there is the mantua-maker, (Chap. 26), who narrates, that an itinerant preacher had obtained great influence with her and two sisters, especially with the youngest; that their father observing the "covert passion that gleamed through the eyes of his godly visitor," and "the pallid anxious look on the young brow of his daughter," forbade him his house; and that, in due course of time, no less than seven unfortunate girls produced living proofs of the wisdom of the mantuamaker's worthy father. This statement, if well-founded, merely proves that the man was an impostor. It should never have seen the light, for the sake of those whom it may affect, even of Mrs. Trollope's informant and of her sister. But how are Mrs. Trollope's views advanced by it? Will that lady maintain, that the truth of the Christian religion is affected by the backsliding

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of any of its professors, or that the Church of England should be put down on account of sins of commission, far weightier than those of her itinerant preacher, of which, even in these later days, one of its dignitaries has been guilty?

That there is more undisguised appearance of attention to the duties of the Christian religion, on the part of persons professing that religion in America, than in Britain, more regular attendance on divine worship, more frequent instances of family worship, and of meetings for prayer, is readily granted; but withal there is far more toleration for people of all sentiments and sects, as well as for the sceptical, and for those who admit that they have no belief. A remarkable fact, showing how little the opinions or practice of people in religious matters, or matters of conscience, affect them in the United States, came to my knowledge at New York. The Journal of Commerce,-a newspaper filled with advertisements, and of the first circulation among the mercantile classes, to the number of 4000 or 5000 daily, is conducted by persons, whose sentiments on matters of religion will not allow them to insert any notice of a theatrical exhibition, or of a Sunday steam-boat excursion, or any notice of a similar description. The Christian religion, as professed and believed in the United States, is, I am convinced, far more the religion of peace, good-will, and charity, than it is in Britain. Instances to the contrary, no doubt, may be adduced; but the state of matters generally is as I describe it.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

The Metropolis of the United States will some day be in the Western States of America-Mr. Flint's Advice as to the Health of Emigrants-Soil of the States of Ohio and Indiana-Manufactures at Cincinnati-Voyage from Cincinnati to Wheeling-Marietta-Baptism of an Adult Female-Blennerhassett's Island-Mr. Blennerhassett engaged in Aaron Burr's Plans-Zanesville-Hours of Meals —Wheeling—Journey by Stage from Wheeling to Pittsburg—Pittsburg-Situation-Coal-Hill-History of the Place-Manufactories -Ship building-Mr. Clay's Anecdote respecting a Pittsburg Ship— Inhabitants-Alleghany and Monangahela Rivers-Equestrian Circus-Caution to Travellers not to attempt to interfere with the Customs of the Country in which they are living for a time-Journey from Pittsburg across the Alleghanies-Chambersburg-Fellow-Passengers, Mr. Biddle, Ladies and Children-Views over PittsburgMount Pleasant-Chesnut Ridge-Laurel Hill-Summit of the Alleghany Mountains-The Alleghany Mountains or the Appalachian System, as it is called, one of the dividing Lines of the Three Sections of the United States-Description of the Three Sections-The Rocky Mountains, or the Chippewayan System, as it is called, the other of the dividing Lines-Bedford-Valleys on the top of the Alleghanies-Pefect Safety of the whole Road to Chambersburg-Prospects of the Country on the Descent-Chambersburg-German Watchmen-Journey to Harrisburg-Finely cultivated Country and thriving Farmers-From hence to Philadelphia-Mansion-House Hotel-Journey to New York-Many Members of Congress FellowPassengers-Recommendation to Travellers in the United States for Amusement, as to that part of the United States to which they may without much loss limit their Route-May avoid the Southern

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States-But ought thoroughly to see the Eastern and WesternGreat Heat and Noise at New York during the Summer-Advice to Travellers to go to a Private Boarding-House at Brooklyn or Hoboken-Convenience of Boarding-Houses for Strangers-Instances of Incivility and Kindness during my Travels.

May, 1830.

MR. FLINT seems to be decidedly of opinion, that the metropolis of the United States will some day or other be in the Western States of America. The astonishing fertility of the soil, the great extent of territory, and the convenience of internal navigation, are every day leading towards that result.

Mr. Flint recommends it, as indispensably necessary for Europeans coming to the Western States, to pay great attention to their health for the first season, by the use of small doses of calomel frequently repeated. In this way they escape, as he thinks, the bilious fever of the country; and, when strangers are once acclimated, he considers this country to be as healthy as any part of America. Freedom from consumption in a great degree more than compensates for the increased tendency to fever. The atmosphere he considers to be far purer and clearer than on the eastern side of the Alleghanies.

The soil, both in the States of Ohio and Indiana, is extremely productive, and there are great prairies in both States; but as the prairies are not so extensive as in Illinois, and the soil in Illinois is certainly the most fertile in the Union, it appeared to me to be unnecessary to make a minute inspection of any part of the

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