that there are fewer grades of men between the lowest white man under
his charge and the highest in America, than there are between him and
the highest ranks in England. He has never considered the similarity
between the ancient Roman republican, and the republican of the United
States of America; nor why both republics deemed it abhorrent to
inflict stripes on their citizens. Shortland had not sufficient
sagacity to discover that playfulness, fun and frolic, formed a strong
trait in the character of the American sailor and militia man, for
they had hardly become, what is called in Europe, soldiers; drilling
and discipline had not obliterated the free and easy carriage of a
bold and fearless Yankee.

Sir Guy Carlton, afterwards Lord Dorchester, was Governor of Canada,
during the revolutionary war, and proved himself a wise man. He
penetrated the American character, and treated the American prisoners
captured in Canada, accordingly; and by doing so, he came near
breaking up our army; for our prisoners were softened and subdued by
his kindness and humanity; he sent them home well clothed, and well
fed, and most of them declared they never would fight against Sir Guy
Carlton. He knew the American character thoroughly; and was convinced
that harshness and severity would have no other effect than to excite
revenge and hatred. On the other hand, our prisoners could have no
very great respect for a _captain_, an officer, which they themselves
created by their votes, at pleasure; add to this, that several of the
prisoners had the title of _captain_ in their own country. Had the
commander of Dartmoor Prison been an old woman, the Americans would
have respected her sex and years, and obeyed her commands; but they
despised and hated Shortland, for his deficiency of head, heart, and
education; from all which originated those sad events which have
disgraced one nation, and exasperated the other forever. Shortland may
be excused, when it is considered that England lost her colonies by
not studying the American character; and the same inattention to the
natural operations of the human heart, is now raising America
gradually up to be the first naval power on the terraqueous globe. And
thus much for contempt.

There was an order that all lights should be put out by eight o'clock
at night, in every prison; and it was doubtless proper; but this order
was carried into execution with a rigor bordering on barbarity. On the
least glimpse o