The Englishwoman in America
CHAPTER I. Prefatory and explanatory—The voyage
out—The sentimental—The actual— The oblivious—The medley—Practical
joking—An unwelcome companion— American patriotism—The first
view—The departure.
CHAPTER II. An inhospitable reception—Halifax and
the Blue Noses—The heat— Disappointed expectations—The great
departed—What the Blue Noses might be—What the coach was not—Nova
Scotia and its capabilities—The roads and their annoyances—A tea
dinner—A night journey and a Highland cabin— A nautical
catastrophe—A joyful reunion.
CHAPTER III. Popular ignorance—The garden
island—Summer and winter contrasted—A wooden capital—Island
politics, and their consequences—Gossip—“Blowin- time”—Religion and
the clergy—The servant nuisance—Colonial society—An evening
party—An island premier—Agrarian outrage—A visit to the Indians—The
pipe of peace—An Indian coquette—Country hospitality—A missionary—A
novel mode of lobster-fishing—Uncivilised life—Far away in the
woods—Starvation and dishonesty—An old Highlander and a Highland
welcome—Hopes for the future.
CHAPTER IV. From St. George's Cross to the Stars
and Stripes—Unpunctuality— Incompetence——A wretched night—Colonial
curiosity—The fashions—A night in a buffalo robe—A stage journey—A
queer character—Politics— Chemistry—Mathematics—Rotten bridges—A
midnight arrival—Colonial ignorance—Yankee conceit—What ten-horse
power chaps can do—The pestilence—The city on the rock—New
Brunswick—Steamboat peculiarities— Going ahead in the eating line—A
storm—Stepping ashore.
CHAPTER V. First experiences of American
freedom—The “striped pig” and “Dusty Ben”— A country mouse—What the
cars are like—Beauties of New England—The land of apples—A Mammoth
hotel—The rusty inkstand exiled—Eloquent eyes— Alone in a crowd.
CHAPTER VI. A suspected bill—A friend in need—All
aboard for the Western cars—The wings of the wind-American
politeness—A loquacious conductor—Three minutes for refreshments—A
conversation on politics—A confession—The emigrant car—Beauties of
the woods—A forest on fire—Dangers of the cars—The Queen City of the
West.
CHAPTER VII. The Queen City continued—Its
beauties—Its inhabitants human and equine— An American church—Where
chairs and bedsteads come from—Pigs and pork—A peep into
Kentucky—Popular opinions respecting slavery—The curse of America.
CHAPTER VIII. The hickory stick—Chawing up
ruins—A forest scene—A curious questioner —Hard and soft
shells—Dangers of a ferry—The western prairies— Nocturnal
detention—The Wild West and the Father of Rivers—Breakfast in a
shed—What is an alligator?—Physiognomy, and its uses—The ladies'
parlour—A Chicago hotel, its inmates and its horrors—A water-drinking
people—The Prairie City—Progress of the West.
CHAPTER IX. A vexatious incident—John Bull
enraged—Woman's rights—Alligators become hosses—A popular
host—Military display—A mirth-provoking gun—Grave
reminiscences—Attractions of the fair—Past and present—A floating
palace—Black companions—A black baby—Externals of Buffalo—The flag
of England.
CHAPTER X. The Place of Council—Its progress and
its people—English hearts— “Sebastopol is taken”—Squibs and
crackers—A ship on her beam-ends— Selfishness—A mongrel city—A
Scot—Constancy rewarded—Monetary difficulties—Detention on a
bridge—A Canadian homestead—Life in the clearings—The bush on
fire—A word on farming—The “bee” and its produce —Eccentricities of
Mr. Haldimands—A ride on a troop-horse—Scotch patriotism—An English
church—The servant nuisance—Richard Cobden.
CHAPTER XI. “I've seen nothing”—A
disappointment—Incongruities—Hotel gaieties and “doing
Niagara”—Irish drosky-drivers—“The Hell of Waters”—Beauties of
Niagara—The picnic party—The White Canoe—A cold shower-bath—“The
Thunder of Waters”—A magic word—“The Whirlpool”—Story of “Bloody
Run”— Yankee opinions of English ladies—A metamorphosis—The nigger
guide—A terrible situation—Termination Rock—Impressions of
Niagara—Juvenile precocity—A midnight journey—Street adventures in
Hamilton.
CHAPTER XII. A scene at starting—That dear little
Harry—The old lady and the race— Running the Rapids—An aside—Snow
and discomfort-A new country—An extemporised ball—Adventure with a
madman—Shooting the cataract—First appearance of Montreal—Its
characteristics—Quebec in a fog—“Muffins”— Quebec gaieties——The
pestilence—Restlessness—St. Louis and St. Roch— The shady side—Dark
dens—External characteristics—Lord Elgin—Mistaking a senator.
CHAPTER XIII. The House of Commons—Canadian
gallantry—The constitution—Mr. Hincks— The ex-rebel—Parties and
leaders—A street-row—Repeated disappointments —The “habitans”—Their
houses and their virtues—A stationary people— Progress and its
effects—Montmorenci—The natural staircase—The Indian
summer—Lorette—The old people—Beauties of Quebec—The John Munn
—Fear and its consequences—A gloomy journey.
CHAPTER XIV. Concluding remarks on
Canada—Territory—Climate—Capabilities—Railways and
canals—Advantages for emigrants—Notices of emigration—Government—
The franchise—Revenue—Population—Religion—Education—The press—
Literature—Observations in conclusion.
CHAPTER XV. Preliminary remarks on re-entering the
States—Americanisms—A little slang—Liquoring up—Eccentricities in
dress—A 'cute chap down east— Conversation on eating—A Kentucky
gal—Lake Champlain—Delaval's—A noisy serenade—Albany—Beauties of
the Hudson—The Empire City.
CHAPTER XVI. Position of New York—Externals of
the city—Conveyances— Maladministration—The stores—The
hotels—Curiosities of the hospital— Ragged schools—The bad
book—Monster schools—Amusements and oyster saloons—Monstrosities—A
restaurant—Dwelling-houses—Equipages—Palaces
—Dress—Figures—Manners—Education—Domestic habits—The ladies—The
gentlemen—Society—Receptions—Anti-English feeling—Autographs—The
“Buckram Englishman.”
CHAPTER XVII. The cemetery—Its beauties—The
“Potter's Field”—The graves of children— Monumental
eccentricities—Arrival of emigrants—Their reception—Poor
dwellings—The dangerous class—The elections—The
riots—Characteristics of the streets—Journey to Boston—The sights of
Boston—Longfellow— Cambridge university.
CHAPTER XVIII. Origin of the Constitution—The
Executive—Congress—Local Legislatures— The army and
navy—Justice—Slavery—Political corruption—The foreign
element—Absence of principle—Associations—The Know-nothings—The
Press and its power—Religion—The Church—The Clergy.
CHAPTER XIX. General remarks continued—The common
schools—Their defect—Difficulties —Management of the schools—The
free academy—Railways—Telegraphs— Poverty—Literature—Advantages
for emigrants—Difficulties of emigrants— Peace or war—Concluding
observations.
CHAPTER XX. The America—A gloomy departure—An
ugly night—Morning at Halifax—Our new passengers—Babies—Captain
Leitch—A day at sea—Clippers and steamers—A storm—An Atlantic
moonlight—Unpleasant sensations—A gale— Inkermann—Conclusion.
This page copyright © 2003 Blackmask Online.
http://www.blackmask.com