So small a portion of time being occupied in affairs of a domestic nature, leaves the ladies leisure for reading, and for the construction of elaborate articles of fancy dress. Their fashions are imported from Paris, which however, do not at all times appear to become them; but here as in England, any absurdity has its charms, that is countenanced by the recommendation of a French milliner. The gentlemen dress after the English style, and plates of the newest London fashions, are displayed in the shop windows of every tailor in New York.
The Americans are commonly charged with eating with voracious avidity, I know this to be strictly true with some; but the charge does not apply in all its disgusting details, against the members of, what is considered, good society. The first exhibition I witnessed of this national peculiarity was on a steam-ship tour; until then I do not recollect that I had even heard of it. It is most true, they do not indulge in conversation while dining; and this, not only detracts from that sociability which at all times graces an English repast; but it also throws a sombre shade over the whole affair.
Nothing can exceed the abhorrence with which European ladies view the disgusting practices I now feel myself called upon to mention. The disagreeable creatures, almost to a man, chew tobacco and spit most incessantly. These odious practices are too universal to admit of any palliation from individual exceptions. What pleasure can the things—wretches I was going to write, find in this loathsome practice? It unfits them for the society even of those females, who have the lowest claims to respectability—it injures their health—it makes them hateful and hated go where they may;—and I could almost wish for the supremacy of the Pope, to predominate in America for the single purpose of carrying into effect the edict of Urban VII. against the use of tobacco.
It is painful to dwell on these things, but having coupled the above foul practices and dismissed them with the thunders of the Vatican, it would be unfair to let the master vice of the nation escape, without a sentence of disapprobation; I mean the drinking of ardent spirits. I will not call it the vice of drunkenness, for, all I could learn inclines me to question the capability of the gentlemen of the Union to commit this sin. As a nation, they are brought up from their very infancy to drink ardent spirits, and by the time they arrive at years of maturity they become so habituated to the practice, that spirits cease to affect them in a manner similar to others. Who can sufficiently estimate the blessings that flow from cheap rum? I have witnessed infants washed in it—being attainable by all, boys have been known to enter school under its influence—and it has slain its thousands in the prime of manhood.
That temperance societies have improved these things, I cheerfully admit; for the practice had produced effects so appaling, that even the depraved shuddered to contemplate them. But still the use of the solitary dram is not banished, even from among the higher orders of the community.
These evil spirits are here made to assume all the attractions that a depraved ingenuity, guided by avarice, can possibly invent. The taste is consulted either by bitter, sweet, or acid, or by a pleasing combination of all. If the weather be cold, spices are in request; if hot, ice is introduced to impart a grateful coolness.
I would by no means advise any young man whether ignorant or educated, who has the least relish for these things, to cross the Atlantic; for, I consider if he have only the slightest inclination for them here, his life is not worth four years purchase, from the day he sets foot on the coast of America. In the short space of two years, how many have I known and heard of, who, by this destructive vice, have been cut off in the flower of their days! The absent friends of such seldom know the real cause of their death; and consumption, or some other disorder, frequently serves as the mantle to cover the horrid aspect of the familiar spirit they have consulted, as a similar vesture veiled the shade of the reputed prophet.[B]
CHAPTER IV.
VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON—NEW ENGLAND SABBATH DAY RACE.
Throughout the preceding chapters, I have considered our voyage across the Atlantic, only in the light of a successful speculation; and so indeed it was in all points but one; but that one was unfortunately of the utmost importance—I mean HEALTH. My family had enjoyed this blessing almost without alloy, in all our previous travels, and this circumstance, perhaps, rendered us a little impatient under the infliction of the first reverse.
After we had remained in the city a few months, my husband was attacked with a disorder that frequently rages here, called the chills and fever; one distressing peculiarity of which is, that it leaves the patient for a long time in a weak and languid condition. This was to us a circumstance of a serious nature, for as all our earthly dependence was founded upon his exertions, as a private teacher; if he were incapacitated by sickness from pursuing the duties of his profession—it required no augur to foretel the consequences. But as in other affairs, America had not only answered, but had greatly exceeded our expectations, we felt every disposition to give the climate a fair trial before we totally abandoned it.