of a long-continued state of civilization, and an extensive intercourse with other

regions, operating on the goodly and tractable materials of their national character. The knowledge they have thus obtained of mankind, aided by their quickness of apprehension," may likewise satisfactorily account for some other features by which these heavenfavored islanders are distinguished: such as the indefatigable vivacity, jocund gaiety, bursts of broad humour, and flashes of drollery, which enrich and enliven English society. The softness of voice, and silky smoothness of expres sion with which an Englishman makes his advances to acquaintance, arise chiefly from his fondness for associating with the fair-sex. An assembly in England, whether in the courtly circles of fashion, or the Ale-House, is considered incomplete without the company of wo

men: here, therefore one is never shocked by seeing parties of brutalized men, enjoying themselves, as it is termed: that is, talking with all imaginable eagerness and interest, of politics, horseracing, farming and boxing; sometimes whispering in a low and mysterious tone, and anon rising into vociferous' and unintelligible jargon, around a table encumbered with a chaos of glasses, decanters, napkins and nut-shells." Nor amongst the less consequential ranks of British society, is there ever known a nightly place of rendez vous, frequented by a parcel of selfish, sulky boobies, enveloped in a mist of tobacco-smoke, devouring toasted cheese and oysters; and chuckling at the notion of having established, for the celebration of their orgies, a retirement on which no female dares to intrude.

of a long-cor

and an exten

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tractable mate

character. The

thas obtained o: thes quockness Ekewise satisfact other features by frvored islanders are as the indefatigable ghery, bursts of br Bashes of drollery, wh

Liven English society voice, and silky smo sion with which an E his advances to acq chiefly from his fondnes with the fair-sex. An a gland, whether in the co fashion, or the Ale-House incomplete without the e

1

The wisdom, delicate feelings,

and chivalrous refinement of this extraordinary people are also manifested by another peculiarity, too striking to be passed over in a work professedly written for the purpose of showing them to the utmost advantage. What I allude to is, the English custom of employing friendless and unprotected females, wherever they can possibly be of use:, thus rescuing multitudes of tender and lovely beings from the miseries of want, and the conse

quent, and still greater wretchedness, of idleness, depravity, self-abhorrence, and despair; and at the same time furnishing the army and navy with serviceable men, who, in more barbarous and worse regulated states, are observed to fill departments better suited to the gentler sex; and are, in the countries pointed at, disgusting and ridiculous objects, as they stand behind the counters, and at