ust, as it robs them of the honours of a system of education,
which is life-long, and whose sole object is to attain the mastery of
all feeling, physical or mental. The view taken of this subject by
Robertson, in his History of America, to us, seems most accordant with
truth. He says: "The amazing steadiness with which the Americans endure
the most exquisite torments, has induced some authors to suppose that,
from the peculiar feebleness of their frame, their sensibility is not so
acute as that of other people; as women, and persons of a relaxed habit,
are observed to be robust men, whose nerves are more firmly braced. But
the constitution of the Americans is not so different in its texture,
from that of the rest of the human species, as to account for this
diversity in their behaviour. It flows from a principle of honour,
instilled early and cultivated with such care, as to inspire him in his
rudest state with a heroic magnanimity, to which philosophy hath
endeavoured in vain to form him, when more highly improved and polished.
This invincible constancy he has been taught to consider as the chief
distinction of a man, and the highest attainment of a warrior. The ideas
which influence his conduct, and the passions which take possession of
his heart, are few. They operate of course with more decisive effect,
than when the mind is crowded with a multiplicity of objects, or
distracted by the variety of its pursuits; and when every motive that
acts with any force in forming the sentiments of a savage, prompts him
to suffer with dignity, he will bear what might seem impossible for
human patience to sustain. But whenever the fortitude of the Americans
is not roused to exertion by their ideas of honour, their feelings of
pain are the same with those of the rest of mankind."

Note 4.

"Bathed in the poisonous manchenille."

The slightest wound from an arrow dipped in the juice of the
Manchenille, causes certain and speedy death. "If they only pierce the
skin, the blood fixes and congeals in a moment, and the strongest animal
falls motionless to the ground."--Robertson's America.

S. L. Sawtelle.

Dear Sir:

To you, who have given me friendship in adversity, counsel in
perplexity, and hope in despondency, permit me, as an expression of my
deep and lasting gratitude, to inscribe the "Misanthrope."

With sentiments of the highest respect,

Your obt. servt.,

George W. Sands.

Frederick City, September 1849.