4

In all the remarks which I have taken the liberty of making on this topic, I wish it to be distinctly understood, that I am quite as much impressed in favour of Matthews, as a comic actor, as any of his most fervent admirers; and, although having been for six years a resident on the Continent of America, I could easily detect whatever did not answer to the life, when I witnessed the " Trip to America," yet the desire to be critical did not, in the most unreal case, overcome my disposition to be merry; and I venture to say, that many errors escaped my serious attention, because their first and only effect was tried on my risible nerves. The charge of the German Judge, which is the most erroneous passage in the whole, kept me in such a continual fit of outright laughter, that I may thank my stars it was fictitious, or I certainly should have undergone some dreadful punishment for my contempt of the Court.

In concluding my observations on this subject, it may be well, for the information of those who go to the Lyceum to obtain some acquaintance with the American manners and customs, as well as to be amused with the facetiousness of Mr. Matthews, to remark, that whatever denotes pride, vanity, and self-conceit, with ignorant notions of liberty and independence, may be safely relied upon as being near the truth. For such is the extent of empire which these qualities have gained in the minds of the lower and middling classes of the

Americans, that when travellers have told all that they can, and when even Matthews himself has exerted his utmost skill in retentiveness of memory and fidelity of imitation, it may truly be said, "the half is not told."

The particular sort of phraseology employed, must of course be taken into the account; and here also the observation should be made, that no one can form any adequate idea of the terms in which conversation is carried on, unless he has been upon the spot. The curious applications which are made of the words calculate, reckon, and guess, with many others, are but given as specimens of a dialect that is replete with similar and yet more strange transfigurations of the English language.

Rochester is situated on the banks of the Erie Canal; and although the spot on which the village stands was, ten years ago, a perfect wilderness, it now contains upwards of 5,000 inhabitants, and is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Although it boasts of no less than five extensive and excellent hotels, each of which is capable of accommodating between fifty and seventy persons, I could not procure a bed on the night of my arrival. Every public bed of the town was occupied, and I was compelled to sleep on a sofa. The next morning I breakfasted at the Mansionhouse Hotel, in company with about 100 persons, of fashionable appearance and genteel address. The breakfast, as in Canada, consisted of a variety of

meats, pies, cakes, tarts, &c.; and as each individual finished his last cup, he rose from the table and walked out without any sort of ceremony. The streets of Rochester are laid out at right angles with each other. The houses are built of brick, and neatly painted red and pointed out with white: This embellishment, with Venetian blinds, piazzas, verandas, balconies, &c. gives the village a very delightful aspect, and designates the inhabitants as tasteful, enterprising, industrious, and opulent; but, I believe, it is more owing to the other qualities than to their opulence.

From Rochester I proceeded on the canal by the packet-boat to Utica, a distance of 166 miles. The fare in boats of this description is six dollars, exclusive of eating and drinking, both of which are furnished at a moderate price and are very excellent. We passed through several villages, the most considerable of which was Canandaigua, which is situate near the outlet of the lake from which it derives its name.

The houses here, as well as in every other village which I have seen in the United States, are generally built of brick, and painted. Willow and

poplar trees are also planted along the sides of the ways, which, combined with the light, airy, and elegant appearance of the buildings, the bustle and activity of the inhabitants, and the commercial aspect of the mercantile houses, cannot fail to convey a very favourable idea of American enterprize and industry. The principal street of Canandargua

is nearly two miles long: In the centre of the village is a sort of square, where the Court-house and several other public offices are situated. This village is superior to any that I ever saw, either in Europe or in America. In Europe we commonly associate the name of village with poverty; but an American village presents to the beholder's view all the business-like air and all the wealth and taste of a city. .

At a short distance south-west of Canandargua, a curious spring, called the Burning Spring, has lately been discovered. The water issues from the sides of a deep ravine, and exhibits on its surface a bright red flame, which, on the application of wood or any other combustible substance, produces an immediate blaze. The water is of the same temperature as common potable water, and has no peculiar taste or smell.

The next village through which I passed on my way to New York, was Auburn, situated at the outlet of the Owaseo Lake. This village contains about 300 houses and 1,200 inhabitants, beside a number of mills-cloth and cotton manufactories. There is also a prison, erected for the reception of convicts, and a Theological Seminary. The canal which passes by, at the distance of seven miles North of "this loveliest village of the plain," will, it is thought, materially retard its further improvement, and will soon render it, in destiny as in name, a fac-simile of its Irish predecessor.

The company on board the steam-boat from

Rochester to Utica, consisted of several citizens of New York, among whom were Mr. Waring and Mr. Horton, respectable merchants of that city, and a Lawyer, who styled himself Counsellor Childe. When we had proceeded a little on our way, and the common topics which are generally handled by strangers, on their first introduction to each other, were briefly discussed, the conversation very naturally turned upon polities, and the civil and military affairs of the different great nations of the earth. From THINGS We generally pass to MEN,-from the various public events which occur to the instruments by which they have been brought about. It was, therefore, an easy transition, from the events of the late short war, to the notable Commander, General Jackson. In the midst of our conversation on the merits of this officer, I was asked by one of the party, "what opinion was entertained respecting him by the people of Upper Canada?" I replied, that he was certainly no great favourite with them; and to convince them of the truth of my remark, I would relate to them an anecdote. The word " ANECDOTE" had a wonderful effect upon their nerves, and all awaited in silent expectation. A short time ago, Gentlemen, said I, a citizen of the United States came over into Upper Canada with a splendid exhibition of figures in wax-work, which he displayed in the town of York. Among the rest of the great American heroes, whose effigies were found in this collection, was that of General