productions: it is that of amusement. For this, commend us to the Notes of an English Traveller in the United States. The fun is by no means all upon their side. That much may be furnished to them, we readily admit. No one, with a lively imagination, could travel in a foreign country where the manners of the inhabitants differ from his own countrymen, and their modes of thought vary so widely as do those of Englishmen and Americans, and not find, if he sought it, abundant food for ridicule. We say nothing of the taste or feeling of those who would indulge it to any extent, or of their flimsy judgment, who, from such trifles-equal, at least, in authority, as regards any inherent or actual propriety-would pass upon the character of the institutions of a great nation, or of her probable onward march.

But the pleasure of the actors, and of the spectators, is at least balanced. Is there no food for laughter and for sarcasm, in the voluntary display of false premises and illogical conclusions? None in that of hasty deductions from a momentary glance at matters requiring cautious and enlightened investigation? Is there no mirth raised by the sight of soured selfconceit, or of vanity decked in a grim, mock dignity? And is there not a mutuality of amusement caused by strangeness of deportment, novelty of pronunciation, language, temperament, or habits? Verily, there is much: much more than some travellers would appear to have dreamt of, though the publicity accorded to such variations has been all on one side.. For ourselves, we should lament, on the score of mere amusement, the eradication from the order of literary creations, the genus of "books of travel in the United States of America;" they have peculiarities that can never be mistaken, and which recommend them powerfully to all lovers of the burlesque.

But our "Yankee" author may suppose us to have overlooked him, in pursuit of other game. Far from it; in accordance with Sir Jonah Barrington's Irish Baronet's advice, we have, "by avoiding him, met him plump." He is neither an ignorant nor a prejudiced observer; and though fresh from the "land of notions," he went to the Southwest, not predetermined to find fault with whatever differed from the ways of "down East," nor supposing that he alone was the arbiter of either elegance or propriety. He went for information, and he obtained it; and with it, much legitimate amusement also; and on the score of capacity to profit by what he saw, to judge from his letters, there is no deficiency in that particular.

In commending thus the general character of the book, we would not be understood as insensible to its deficiencies. These, however, are chiefly those of style. The language is often coarse, and soinetimes vulgar; and what is more objectionable,

the writer seems fond of indulging in the frequent use of scriptural expressions, applied at times with much levity, and to trivial circumstances. And yet, when speaking directly upon the subject of religion, he would wish to be considered as ranged decidedly upon her side. This arises, no doubt, from carelessness; but a little consideration might have prevented the occasion for such criticism. The work is never tedious -on the contrary, it is lively and spirited, and abounds in most graphic descriptions of scenery and manners. We shall skim lightly over it, touching upon such portions as we think most likely to reward attention.

The interesting topics connected with the all-absorbing subject of slavery, form a large proportion of the contents. Upon this part of the work, we shall say nothing at present; considering it better, for the repose of the community, to abstain from its public discussion. It is, however, greatly to be desired, that as much correct information as can be furnished at the north, should be had there; it being conducive to a future correct judgment upon the point. One essential basis for any such conclusion, would seem to be a knowledge of the actual present condition of the negroes at the south-their happiness or unhappiness-their manners; physical appearances; peculiarities of every kind, and their intellectual qualities: all these points will be found to be noted and illustrated by our author; and they form a very amusing part of his account. Some of these we may extract as we proceed.

The writer's impartiality as regards his "Yankee" brethren, may be gathered from a paragraph we shall quote. Near the Bahama Banks, during the voyage from Boston to New Orleans, the vessel was becalmed, and lay near a brig loaded with lumber, technically called "a fruiterer." These constitute a considerable portion of the trading ships of some of the eastern states; and our author thus speaks of them and their owners:

"These lumber vessels, which are usually loaded with shingles, masts, spars, and boards, have been long the floating mines of Maine. But as her forests disappear, which are the veins from whence she draws the ore, her sons will have to plough the earth instead of the ocean. Then, and not till then, will Maine take a high rank as an agricultural state. The majority of men who sail in these lumber vessels are both farmers and sailors; who cultivate their farms at one season, fell its timber and sail away with it in the shape of boards and shingles to a West India mart at another. Jonathan is the only man who knows how to carry on two trades at one time, and carry them on successfully. "For their lumber, which they more frequently barter away than sell, they generally obtain a return cargo of molasses, which is converted by our sober and moral' fellow-countrymen into liquid gunpowder, in the vats of those numerous distilleries, which, like guide-posts to the regions of death, line the sea-skirts of New England!"

He arrived at New Orleans in the midst of the gaiety and business of that thriving metropolis, and was soon initiated into all the mysteries of the place. In passing up the river to the city, the vessel swept round the curve denominated "The English Turn," and the writer, who was of course inquisitive, and is fond of giving derivations to names, found out the following etymology :—

"Tradition saith, that some British vessels of war pursuing some American vessels up the river, on arriving at this place gave up the pursuit as useless, and turned back to the Balize.

"Another tradition saith that John Bull chasing some American ships up the river, thought, in his wisdom, when he arrived at this bend, that this was but another of the numerous outlets of the hydra-headed Mississippi, and supposing the Yankee ships were taking advantage of it to escape to the sea-he turned about and followed his way back again, determined as school-boys say, to 'head them!'”

Whether true or not, we are unable to say; it is, however, as probable as many given on other subjects by learned antiquarians.

The "Yankee" made also another discovery of a matter, about which we confess that we never heard any difficulty suggested. It would seem, however, from his remarks, that our eastern friends have been in the habit of regarding creole as synonymous with mulatto. If so, now especially is the time when the mistake should be rectified. One would have supposed the derivation of the word to be sufficient to show that its meaning had no connection with colour. He states in a

note :

"Where there is one individual in New England correctly informed, there are one hundred who, like him, know no distinction between the terms creole and mulatto. 'Creole' is simply a synonym for 'native.' It has, however, only a local, whereas 'native' has a general application. To say, 'He is a creole of Lousiana,' is to say 'He is a native of Louisiana. Contrary to the general opinion at the north, it is seldom applied to coloured persons. Creole is sometimes, though not frequently, applied to Mississippians; but with the exception of the West India Islands, it is usually confined to Louisiana."

Immediately after his arrival, the author had his eastern sentiments shocked by what we can by no means consider as the peculiar sin of New Orleans, but as unfortunately pervading the whole of our country. We refer to duelling; which, though prevailing probably more at the south-west, is still, unhappily, to be charged upon all quarters of our land. On this occasion, he was accidentally present at a quarrel in the evening; a challenge passed between the parties-they met next morning, and one of the combatants was killed.

It will be recollected that endeavours were made by the well disposed portion of the society of New Orleans to put a stop to

this terrible practice, by the institution of a Court of Honour. We had hoped that this, together with the wider spread of religious, feeling, would have produced a beneficial effect in this particular; but we are sorry to find, from our author's account, that the experiment has totally failed, and that public opinion is so strongly in favour of that mode of avenging insult, that no one has yet dared to stem its current. He professes to say from the experience of a considerable residence there, that "an appointment for a duel is talked of with the nonchalance of an invitation to a dinner party." We trust that this opinion is unsound; or if the evil have risen to the pitch described, that the strong arm of the legislative power will be interposed to wipe out this stain upon the morals of the land. It has been done in the case of gambling, another of the excesses of human passion which the traveller encountered to such an extent in this same city. At the period of his arrival, gambling establishments were regularly licensed, and paid, annually, for their pernicious privileges, more than sixty thousand dollars. Their number was, consequently, very large, compared with the size of New Orleans; they were situated in the most public streets-open from mid-day until early next morning, and thronged with all classes of the community, from the lowest black-leg to men of high standing. The temptations held out in the shape of large dividends, induced many monied men, in other respects of unobjectionable character, to become stockholders in these institutions, whose establishment was effected by the sale of shares in the same manner as that of other companies.

These infernos (and it is not to his discredit that we mention it) appear to have been quite a novelty to our "Yankee" visiter; and he therefore describes them minutely and graphically to his friend at home, presenting what was intended to be a startling picture, to the unsophisticated inhabitants of his native state. As we presume most of our readers have, either from personal observation, or the accounts of others, obtained a pretty definite idea of what such places are, and of what is carried on in their precincts, we shall pass over our author's account of them, though it is very well written, and no doubt made his correspondents raise their eyes in horror at the wickedness of their kind. These " Rooms" are located generally over the "coffee-houses," (as they are termed, quasi lucus, &c.) being one step higher in the grade of dissipation than the latter. It is stated, that there are at least one hundred of these cafés in New Orleans, thronged throughout the day with "thirsty, time-killing, and news-seeking visiters." We will extract the notice of one, which we presume to be a fair specimen of the

"As the coffee-houses here do not differ materially from each other except in size and richness of decoration, though some of them certainly are more fashionable resorts than others, the description of one of them will enable you perhaps to form some idea of other similar establishments in this city. Though their usual denomination is 'coffee-house,' they have no earthly, whatever may be their spiritual, right to such a distinction; it is merely a 'nom de profession,' assumed, I know not for what object. We entered from the street, after passing round a large Venetian screen within the door, into a spacious room, lighted by numerous lamps, at the extremity of which stood an extensive bar, arranged, in addition to the usual array of glass ware, with innumerable French decorations. There were several attendants, some of whom spoke English, as one of the requirements of their station. This is the case of all employés throughout New Orleans; nearly every store and place of public resort being provided with individuals in attendance who speak both languages. Around the room were suspended splendid engravings and fine paintings, most of them of the most licentious description, and though many of their subjects were classical, of a voluptuous and luxurious eharacter. This is French taste, however. There are suspended in the exchange in Chartres street-one of the most magnificent and public rooms in the city-paintings which, did they occupy an equally conspicuous situation in Merchant's Hall, in Boston, would be instantly defaced by the populace.

"Around the room, beneath the paintings, were arranged many small tables, at most of which three or four individuals were seated, some alternately sipping negus and puffing their segars, which are as indispensable necessaries to a creole at all times, as his right hand, eyebrows, and left shoulder, in conversation. Others were reading newspapers, and occasionally assisting their comprehension of abstruse paragraphs, by hot coffee,' alias warm punch and slings, with which, on little japanned salvers, the active attendants were flying in all directions through the spacious room, at the beck and call of customers. The large circular bar was surrounded by a score of noisy applicants for the liquid treasures which held out to them such strong temptations. Trios, couples, and units of gentlemen, were promenading the well sanded floor, talking in loud tones, and gesticulating with the peculiar vehemence and rapidity of Frenchmen. Others, and by far the majority, were gathered by twos and by fours around the little tables, deeply engaged in playing that most intricate, scientific, and mathematical of games termed 'domino.' This is the most common game resorted to by the creoles. In every café and cabaret, from early in the morning, when the luxurious mint-julep has thawed out their intellects and expanded their organ of combativeness, till late at night, devotees to this childish amusement will be found clustered around the tables, with a tonic often renewed and properly sangareed, at their elbows. Enveloped in dense clouds of tobacco-smoke issuing from their eternal segars-those inspirers of pleasant thoughts, to whose density, with commendable perseverance and apparent good will, all in the café contribute,-they manœuvre their little dotted, black and white parallelograms with wonderful pertinacity and skill."

The existence of such a state of things could hardly be permanent in any section of our country, and after repeated attempts by the citizens of Louisiana for the suppression of at least the public countenance given to gambling, (which were for a long time unavailing,) the cause of good morals finally