CONTENTS.

men of England and America-Injustice done to the former by taxation

-Superior benefits enjoyed by the latter-Comparison with Greenwich

hospital-Distaste of sailors for inland situations

CHAP. VII.

110

History and description of the Pennsylvania Hospital - Statistics of its

patients and cures- Financial resources of the establishment-Treatment

and condition of the insane.....

CHAP. VIII.

135

The seaman's friend society-The Magdalen society-Contrast of Europe

and America-Indigent widow's and single women's society-The Phil-

adelphia orphan society-Hospital for the blind and lame-Union benevo-

lent association Society for promoting Christianity in China-Proposed

new order of Missionaries-Testimony of Ellis's Polynesian researches—

Letter of the Missionaries of Sandwich Islands-Labours of Mr. Gutzlaff

in China-Reference to my proposed voyage round the globe-Theory

of the new order of Missionaries-Healing the sick, and preaching the

gospel-Success hitherto attending this union-Foundation of an ophthal-

mic hospital in China-Testimony of the Chinese who had been cured-

Formation of a general dispensary in China-Suggestion of a medical

Missionary society-Certain benefits of such an institution...

CHAP. IX.

146

Visit to the Eastern penitentiary of Philadelphia-Statistics of crime among

its inmates Chief sources of crime, ignorance and intemperance -

English origin of the Pennsylvania system-Prisons of Gloucester, Glas-

gow, and Philadelphia-English, Prussian, Belgian, and French testimony

-Report of Mr. Crawford on the penitentiary system- Objections

answered by American authorities-Report to the State legislature of

Pennsylvania-Corrupt picture of society ten years ago-Contrast of

present tranquillity and order-Superior morality of the city of Philadel -

phia-Public discussion of the subject in Massachusetts-Opinions of

the legislature of Ohio-Questions of religious instruction in prisons-

Defects of this at Auburn and Sing-Sing-Superiority of this at the

Philadelphia prison— Advantages of voluntary over coerced reform-

Opinion of Mr. Surgeon, an English writer-Question of comparative

expense in the systems-Disadvantages of prisoners' intercourse at Auburn

-Advantages of prisoners' seclusion at Philadelphia-Concluding testi-

monies of De Toqueville and Crawford..........

CHAP. X.

..... 167

Environs of Philadelphia, and excursions-Wilmington, by the river Dela-

ware-History of the state of Delaware-Population-White and coloured

races-Agricultural and pastoral wealth-School-fund of the State and

schools-Principal towns of the State-Great canal from the Delaware

to the Chesapeake Cemetery at Laurel Hill near Philadelphia-Inclined

plane of the Great Western rail-road. Village of Manayunk on the

Schuylkill.....

190

CHAP. XI.

Traits of national manneis in America-Pugilistic contest in the Congress

-Opinions of the press on this affair-Acquittal of the Speaker of Ark-

ansas-Justification of murder-Mockery of the law-Robbers and cut-

throats at New Orleans-Horrible act of Lynch law at St. Louis-

Outrages attributable to Slavery-Address of Judge Fox to the grand jury

-Attempted abolition-riot at Boston-Scandalous scenes at weddings-

Quack medicines and necromancy-Indications of mourning in families-

Tranquillity of the streets of Philadelphia — Musical sounds of the

chimney-sweeps-Grand evening party, without wine-Lectures delivered

in Philadelphia-Public meetings for benevolent objects-Experiments

of Dr. Mitchell on carbonic acid gas-Freezing of mercury-Cold at 102°

below zero-Production and properties of carbonic acid snow-Practical

application of Dr. Mitchell's experiments-Substitution of carbonic acid

gas for steam-Comparison of costs and benefits-Plan to be tested by

the Franklin Institute-Object and character of that association, improve.

ments already effected by its labours-Progressive advance of American

manufactures-Last visit to the State House of Philadelphia-Oppressive

heat of the atmosphere-Fine view of the city and suburbs from the

steeple.....
197

CHAP. XII.

Departure from Philadelphia--Description of the bustle of embarking-

Beautiful scenery of the Delaware-Passage by Burlington and Bristol-

Landing at Bordentown--Journey to Amboy by rail-road-Fertility of the

State of New Jersey-Embarkation at Amboy in steam-boat-Passage

along the Straits of Staten Island-Elizabeth-town, Newark, and Brighton

-Opening of the extensive bay of New York-Splendid marine prospect

from the harbour- Second impressions on approach to the city-Short

stay and second illness at New York-Visit to the Great Western steamer

from England.....
226

CHAP. XIII.

Departure for Albany-Voyage up the Hudson-Hoboken, Weehawken and

the Palisadoes-Tappan bay-Grave of Major André-State prison for

criminals at Sing-Sing-Picturesque scenery of the highlands-Military

academy at West Point-Monument to the Polish patriot, Kosciusko-

Monument to General Brown-Poloppel Island, and Breakneck Hill—

Flourishing town of Newburgh-The Beacon hills, extensive prospect

from thence-Town of Poughkeepsie, manufactures there-Landing at

the village of Catskill-Stage route from the village to the mountains--

Excessive roughness of American roads-Beautiful appearance of the

country-Steep ascent of the mountains-Tremendous storm of thunder,

lightning, and hail-Gentleness and humanity of the drivers-Road on the

edge of a precipice-Complete envelopement in mist, second thunder-

storm-Arrival at the hotel called the Mountain House-Description of

the hotel, American cookery-Splendid daybreak on the mountain-top-

Singular sea of clouds beneath the spectator-Sublime picture of sun-rise

CONTENTS.

-Effects of sun-light on the beautiful picture-Gradual breaking away

of the clouds and mist-Herschel's theory of the spots on the sun-

Glorious prospect under the meridian day-Resemblance to the plain of

Damascus-Water-fall of 260 feet near the Mountain House-Leave the

mountain for the landing-place-Character of the scenery above Catskill

-City of Hudson, and village of Athens-Associations of celebrated

classical names-Defective nomenclature of the towns of America-First

approach to Albany from the south-Interesting appearance of the city--

Triumph of steam-navigation-Affecting account of Fulton's experimental

voyage-Landing at Albany, and comfortable home................

CHAP. XIV.

236

Early history of the settlement of Albany-First voyage of Hudson up the

North river-Foundation of the Fort and City of Albany-Collisions of

the Dutch with the English-Grant of the territory by Charles II. to the

Duke of York-Surrender of Albany to the British-Increase of popula-

tion, by the decennial census-Causes of the rapid prosperity of Albany

-Size in area, and extent in resources, of the State-Comparison of sur-

face with England and Wales-Vast scale of the United States of America-

Increase of population in the State of New York-Probable augmentation

of territory and inhabitants-State canals, length,cost, and profits on them—

Rail-roads, extent and cost-Early corporation records of Albany-Latest

commercial and manufacturing statistics—Agricultural statistics-Increase

in the banks of the State of New York of each kind-Statistics of

education-amount of funds-Topography of Albany-Site and position

-Plan and arrangement of streets and squares-Contrast between ancient

and modern houses-Shops or stores, hotels and boarding-houses.... 268

CHAP. XV.

Government of the State, legislative and executive-Extent and costs of

the public establishments-Liberal appropriations for education-Exam-

ples of American rulers as to education-Penn, Washington, Adams

Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe-Question as to the connection of igno-

rance and crime-Extracts from the letter of Dr. Lieber on this subject

-Opinions of the keepers of penitentiaries and jails-Testimony of Mr.

Wood, of the Philadelphia prison-Testimony of Mr. Wiltse, of the Sing-

Sing prison-Testimony of Mr. Smith, of the Auburn State prison-

Testimony of Mr. Pilsbury, of the Connecticut State prison-Contrast of

the legislatures of England and America-Albany academy for the

education of male youths-Albany female academy-Issue of the experi-

ment on female education-Great defect in the want of physical training-

Supposed gradual decline in the health of females-Causes which con-

tribute to this in America
288

CHAP. XVI.

Religious establishments in Albany-Number of churches possessed by each

sect--Proportion of the whole population attending worship-Liberal

support of the clergy or ministry-Beneficial effects of the voluntary

system-Anecdote of a noble lord in America—Sunday schools and teach-

ers in Albany-Most ancient churches of the city-Public buildings-The

Capitol-the City hall-the new State hall-Newspapers of Albany,

number and character-Specimens of political partisan warfare-Pugilis.

tic encounter in the Hall of Congress-Causes of the excessive irritability

of southern members-Parallel influences on the British in India-The

same in naval officers of all nations.........
313

CHAP. XVII.

Population of Albany-Numbers and classes-Character of Mr. Van Ran-

salear, the patroon-Influence of Dutch descent on social manners- -Early

hours, and general gravity of demeanour-Theatres, concerts, and balls,

not popular-Opinion of American writers on democracy-Its influence

in producing mediocrity of taste-Objections to acknowledge masters by

servants-Celebration of the national independence, 4th of July-Order

of the processions and exercises-Venerable aspect of the heroes of the

revolution-Procession of the young men's association-Odes and original

poems on the occasion-Public amusements-Evening serenade-Order,

sobriety, and decorum of the day-History of the temperance reform in

Albany-Character and labours of Mr. E. C. Delavan-Opposition of the

rich-Backed by the clergy-Wide field yet open for temperance efforts-

Examples of disaster from rum and gunpowder-Lines in commemoration

of the 4th of July-Climate of Albany-Extreme cold and heat-Excessive

heat at all the great cities-Ludicrous effects attributed to this-Badness

of the pavements in America-Deficiency of benevolent institutions in

Albany-Visit to the orphan asylum there-History of its origin and

funds - Description of the establishment Successful experiment on

vegetable diet-Exercises of the children in geography-Patriotic speech

of one of the pupils-Republican hymn-Air of God save the king-

Effect of such exercises on the youthful mind—Annual cost, and weekly

expense of each orphan-Unsatisfactory visit to the Albany museum... 326

CHAP. XVIII.

Excursion to the Shaker village of Niskyuna-Description of their place of

worship-Arrangement for the reception of strangers-Costume of the

Shakers, male and female-Silent commencement of their devotions-

Address of one of the male elders-First hymn sung by all the worship-

pers-Address of a second elder to the visitors-Attitude of kneeling, and

invitation to the Angels-Defence of the character of the Institution-

Speech of one of the female elders-Commencement of the devotional

dancing-Gradually increasing fervour of their devotion-Hymns to quick

song-tunes, and a gallopade-Extravagant evolutions of the female dan-

cers-Comparison with the whirling Dervishes of Damascus-Fanaticism
of Christians, Mohammedans, and Hindoos.......

CHAP. XIX.

..... 350

Origin of the sect of Shakers in Germany and France-Transplanting of the

sect to England in 1706-Biography of Ann Lee, the founder, in America

CONTENTS.

-First settlement at Niskyuna-Death of Ann Lee-Progress and pre-

sent state of the society of Shakers-Recent spread of the society in the

Western States

CHAP. XX.

365

Leading peculiarities of the sect of Shakers-Community of property in

all the families-Celibacy of the entire body, in both sexes Non-exist-

ence of any priesthood-Use of the dance in religious worship-Rules for

the admission of new members-Order and arrangement of the society's

affairs-Scriptural authorities for community of property............... 378

CHAP. XXI.

Peculiar opinions as to the original sin of Adam and Eve-Scriptural autho-

rities in support of these views-Milton's Paradise Lost-Curse de-

nounced on woman at the fall-Fulfilment of this in the punishment of

child-bearing-Peculiar crimes of the antediluvian world-Child-bearing

of Sarah in her old age-First instance of a child being conceived through

faith alone-Examples and illustrations from the Mosaic law-Authority

of Mr. Wilberforce quoted by the Shakers-Profligacy of the sexes during

the reign of antichrist-Early conduct of church reformers, Luther and

Calvin-Authority of John Wesley in support of celibacy-Birth and

example of the Saviour Opinions of the apostles on the subject of mar-

riage-Reply of Jesus to the Sadducees touching wives and husbands—

The chosen saints in heaven "not defiled with women"-Answers of the

Shakers to the objections urged against them-Admission of the utility

of marriage to the "world's people”—Practice of clapping the hands and

dancing, used in their worship-Examples of Miriam, Jephthah, and David

-Scriptural commands to clap the hands, to sing, and dance-Answer to

the objections made to these practices-General reflections on the sect

and their peculiarities.......
387

CHAP XXII.

Journey from Albany to Schenectady-Description of the city and college-

Journey from Schenectady to Ballston Centre-Stay at the country seat

of Mr. Delavan-Efforts for the promotion of temperance-General Cocke,

the philanthropist of Virginia-Mr. Delavan's mission to England-Pro-

posed plan for the benefit of emigrants-First intercourse with American

farmers-Inferior appearance of the country to England-Superior con-

dition of the farmers and labourers-Independence of the occupiers of

land-Absence of tithes, poor-laws, and other burdens-Superior intelli-

gence of American farmers-More comfortable condition of farm-labourers

-Fine field for European emigrants-Causes which retard their progress

here-Statistical proofs of the evils of intemperance-Contrast produced

by temperate habits among farmers-High state of general health in the

district-Longevity of the temperate livers-Small proportions of paupers

needing relief-First Sabbath spent in a rural district-Happy and pros-

perous condition of domestics-Regularity of attendance on public wor-

ship-Equality of privilege among all classes-America a land of contrasts