Some of the
laborers on the mill-dam can speak nothing else. The intermixture of
foreigners sometimes gives rise to quarrels between them and the
natives. As we were going to the village yesterday afternoon, we
witnessed the beginning of a quarrel between a Canadian and a
Yankee,--the latter accusing the former of striking his oxen. B----
thrust himself between and parted them; but they afterwards renewed
their fray, and the Canadian, I believe, thrashed the Yankee
soundly,--for which he had to pay twelve dollars. Yet he was but a
little fellow.

Coming to the Mansion-House about supper-time, we found somewhat of a
concourse of people, the Governor and Council being in session on the
subject of the disputed territory. The British have lately imprisoned a
man who was sent to take the census; and the Mainiacs are much excited
on the subject. They wish the Governor to order out the militia at once,
and take possession of the territory with the strong hand. There was a
British army-captain at the Mansion-House; and an idea was thrown out
that it would be as well to seize upon him as a hostage. I would, for
the joke's sake, that it had been done. Personages at the tavern: the
Governor, somewhat stared after as he walked through the bar-room;
Councillors seated about, sitting on benches near the bar, or on the
stoop along the front of the house; the Adjutant-General of the State;
two young Blue-Noses, from Canada or the Provinces; a gentleman
"thumbing his hat" for liquor, or perhaps playing off the trick of the
"honest landlord" on some stranger. The decanters and wine-bottles on
the move, and the beer and soda-founts pouring out continual streams,
with a whiz. Stage-drivers, etc., asked to drink with the aristocracy,
and mine host treating and being treated. Rubicund faces; breaths
odorous of brandy and water. Occasionally the pop of a champagne cork.

Returned home, and took a lesson in French of Mons. S----. I like him
very much, and have seldom met with a more honest, simple, and
apparently so well-principled a man; which good qualities I impute to
his being, by the father's side, of German blood. He looks more like a
German--or, as he says, like a Swiss--than a Frenchman, having very
light hair and a light complexion, and not a French expression. He is a
vivacious little fellow, and wonderfully excitable to mirth; and it is
truly a sight to see him laugh;--every feature partakes of his movement,
and even his whole bod