of Europe. For the first time in reality in this
world they flung wide the flag of truth and freedom--fought under
its folds an unequal fight against the mightiest power in the
world--and overcame it. And when a second time they armed
themselves to combat with England, they again came forth
unconquered from the contest. Reason enough this for the national
pride of the American, for nothing could more naturally cause a
certain degree of self-content than to belong to a nation whose
brilliant deeds in war as in politics, in commerce as in
manufactures, have astonished the world. A second and not less
characteristic trait of the American is seen in a certain
earnestness, which appears to strangers to indicate a want of
sociable feeling--and yet perhaps in _no_ country is true noble
sociability as developed in domestic life, so much at home, as in
America.

"Accustomed from his cradle to reflect on himself and his
circumstances, the American from the first instant of his entry
into active life is ever on the watch to improve their condition.
Is he rich, and consequently more directly interested in the
common wealth, then every new law, every change in the personal
direction of the government, awakes in him a new care for the
future, while on the other hand, if poor, then every change in the
state may perhaps afford him a new opportunity of bettering his
condition. Therefore he is ever wide awake--ever looking out for
the future, not as a mere spectator, but as one playing a part and
occupied in maintaining the present state of affairs, or in
improving them. The entire mass of the population is continually
in a state of political agitation, and, urged by hope of their aid
or fear of their power, we see every one continually seeking for
expressions of public opinion. No man is so rich or powerful that
he need not fear them--none so wretched and poor but that he may
venture to entertain the hope of being through them aided and
relieved. Public opinion is in America the mightiest organ of
justice--shielding no one, from the president to the simplest
citizen, and proceeds, mowing, casting down, or grinding to powder
all things which oppose it and deserve its condemnation.

"This condition of perpetual agitation gives the American an
appearance of ceaseless restlessness, but it is