It were much to be wished that the planters in the south, and other slave-owners, would bestow some little care upon the instruction of those unfortunate beings, that the chances of power have consigned to their charge. Yet so far are they from encouraging even the commonest kind of instruction, that were the “schoolmaster abroad” here, he would be saluted with one clamourous war-whoop, throughout the whole of the slave states of this land of liberty. The legislators of Virginia in particular, have immortalized their humanity, by making it penal for any one to teach a negro to read, or to be found aiding, encouraging, or abetting in such an intellectual abomination!
Yet let me not be understood as speaking of the literature of the United States, in terms of unqualified praise. All their literary characters, who are considered clever by us, have reaped their laurels on British ground. As for the rest I can say very little. A few novels, written in the angels and despair style of Charlotte Smith, and two or three volumes of poetry were all that I ever saw. They are good things in their way—that is, good as opiates. I remember once to have been so scolded for speaking disrespectfully of one of their poets, that if I may be forgiven for the past I will do so no more.
But to resume the subject seriously, I think I am safe in asserting that there is no literature in the United States—or at least very little of sterling merit; whatever may be the pretensions of some. For surely the “things of a day” poured from the periodical press, in the form of newspapers and magazines cannot with propriety be called a nation’s literature.
And here let me observe, that the newspaper press of England is as far superior to that of the United States, as Scott’s historical novels are to the romances of the last century. It is also worthy of remark, that the American press is as far below the intellectual standard of their people, as the London press is above that of ours. Intelligence like money, with them is more equally distributed. The merchant and his clerk are generally on a par with respect to mental culture, while the porter in the warehouse is very few removes below either. On the other hand, profound scholars and men of great opulence are equally rare; and the nation may be said to be alike free from the influence of great capitalists and extreme destitution.
There is something pleasingly simple and patriarchal in the management of their rural affairs. The ploughing with oxen, and the use of these animals in treading out corn, forcibly reminds us of the scenes and usages in scripture history. The alacrity with which the natives combine to assist a widow, a poor neighbour, or a stranger, deserves to be recorded in terms of the highest commendation.
As an illustration of the above remark,—suppose a farmer, from some one of the many causes of affliction to which all are liable, becomes incapable of cultivating his land. His neighbours repair to his house by appointment, with their oxen and implements; turn into his fields, and plough, sow, and harrow every acre on his farm that requires these operations. At the conclusion of their labours, they refresh themselves, if their friend be able to make suitable provision for such a number; if not, they return contentedly home, satisfied with the consciousness of having performed a meritorious action.
If their united assistance be required in harvesting the crop, it is cheerfully given; and he who ill-naturedly withholds his aid, subjects himself to the eternal ban of the whole community. On one occasion of this nature, I saw nineteen ploughs at work in one field. Nothing displays the American character in so benevolent a point of view, as this unity of co-operation in cheerfully assisting those, whom misfortune has deprived of the power of assisting themselves.
That equivocal species of blessing, cheap law, is another of those peculiarities that forcibly arrests the attention of strangers. The lawyers are here a host, surpassing in number the military, naval, and police forces united. They comprise men of all shades of talent and character, from the very highest to, alas, the very, very lowest. Doubtless, as with us, they look upon their clients as tradesmen do upon their customers, as a source of profit and honourable competition. But in a nation of obstinate sticklers for trifles, where almost every tenth man is a lawyer, and where a cause may be tried for ten dollars, there is reason to fear that sharpness is sometimes thrust a little beyond the verge of honesty by some, despite the profession being gilded with the flattering distinction of honourable.
But the practitioners are not entirely to be blamed—the principle is objectionable. Should any desire to witness the developement of the cheap law system, in all the glories of its confusion, he may behold it here. Suits at law are perpetually throwing the peace of even rural society into convulsions. Causes are tried and re-tried, till the expences stop the current of litigation, which a wholesome view, at the onset, of heavy costs in perspective, would have prevented from flowing.
Many of the small country justices or “squires” as they are here called, are elected to the office, without any regard to their legal knowledge or intellectual capabilities. The voice of party frequently raises these Daniels to the judgement seat; and as they obtain a criminal bonus upon every cause, their desire to promote litigation has never been called into question. The consequence of all this is, that the law, from being placed within the reach of every one, is become a powerful promoter of discord, and actions are commenced to gratify the malevolence of some, or the oppression of others, while hatred, malice, and uncharitableness are the certain result.