instruction. The religious principle is gaining ground in the northern
parts of the Union; it is becoming fashionable among the better orders
of society to go to church . . . The greater number of states declare
it to be unconstitutional to refer to the providence of God in any of
their public acts." The _Quarterly Review_ informed its readers that
"the supreme felicity of a true-born American is inaction of body and
inanity of mind." Dickens's _American Notes_ was an ungrateful return
for the kindness and enthusiasm with which he had been received in this
country. De Tocqueville's _Democracy in America_ was widely read in
England and doubtless had its influence in revising opinion concerning
America. Richard Cobden was, however, the first Englishman to
interpret correctly the significance of America as an economic force.
His essay on America, published in 1835, pointed out that British
policy should be more concerned with economic relations with America
than with European politics. As Professor Dunning says, "Cobden made
the United States the text of his earliest sermon against militarism
and protectionism."

Notwithstanding innumerable disputes over boundaries, fisheries, and
fur seals, trade with the British West Indies and Canada, and questions
of neutral rights and obligations, we have had unbroken peace for more
than a hundred years. Upon several occasions, notably during the
Canadian insurrection of 1837 and during our own Civil War,
disturbances along the Canadian border created strained relations, but
absence of frontier guards and forts has prevented hasty action on the
part of either government. The agreement of 1817, effecting
disarmament on the Great Lakes, has not only saved both countries the
enormous cost of maintaining navies on these inland waters, but it has
prevented hostile demonstrations in times of crisis.

During the Canadian rebellion of 1837 Americans along the border
expressed openly their sympathy for the insurgents who secured arms and
munitions from the American side. In December a British force crossed
the Niagara River, boarded and took possession of the _Caroline_, a
vessel which had been hired by the insurgents to convey their cannon
and other supplies. The ship was fired and sent over the Falls. When
the _Caroline_ was boarded one American, Amos Durfee, was killed and
several others wounded. The United States at once demanded redress,
but the British Government took the