instinct of the nation, since so remarkably manifest, and aptly refers to Volney, Chateaubriand, and other French travellers. Sometimes his distinctions are fanciful: as when he attributes the different aspects under which he saw Longfellow and Bryant-the one in his pleasant country house, and the other at his editorial desk-to political instead of professional causes; but, usually, his insight is as sagacious as his observation is candid. He writes always like a scholar and a gentleman, and, as such, is justly revolted by the indif ference exhibited toward travellers in this country, on the part of those in charge of public conveyances. He truly declares the absence of indications and information in this regard a disgrace to our civilization, and gives some striking examples of personal inconvenience, discomfort, and hazard thus incurred. Indeed, when we remember that Ampère, during his sojourn among us, was more or less of an invalid, his good nature and charitable spirit are magnanimous, when left to wander in wet and darkness from one car to another, obliged to pass sleepless nights on board of steamers recklessly propelled and overloaded, robbed of his purse at a Presidential levée, and subjected to so many other vexations. He was much interested in discovering what he calls a veine européenne pervading the educated classes, and was agreeably surprised to find so often an identity of culture between his old friends in Europe and new ones in America, which made him feel at home and at ease. He protests against the bombastic appellatives to which the Americans are prone. He was gratified to find his illustrious father's scientific labors recognized by a professor at the Smithsonian Institute, and his own archæological research by a lecturer at New Orleans. The sound of the bell saluting Mount Vernon, as he glided down the Potomac, touched him as did the "tintement de l'Angelus dans la campagne Romaine." He felt, like most of his countrymen, the "tristesse du dimanche” in America, but, unlike them, found congenial employment in a critical examination of the hymns, the homilies, and the character of the various denominations of Prot

estant Christians. Amused at the universality of the term "lady" applied to the female sex in America, he yet soon learned to recognize, in this deference, a secret of the social order where no rank organizes and restrains. Quakers and Mormons, cotton and architecture, aqueducts and Indians, Niagara and the prairies, a slave auction and a congressional debate, are with equal justice and sensibility considered in this pleasant "Promenade en Amérique," which extends from Canada to Cuba and Mexico, and abounds in evidences of the humane sympathies, the literary accomplishment, and the social philosophy of the author.

One of the most deservedly popular French economical works on the United States is that of Michael Chevalier. It contains valuable and comparatively recent statistical information, and is written with care, and, in general, with liberality and discrimination. The "Voyage dans l'Intérieure des États Unis," by M. Bayard (Paris, 1779); Godfrey de Vigny's "Six Months in America" (London, 1833); the "Essais Historiques et Politiques sur les Anglo-Américaines," by M. Hilliard d'Ubertail (Brussels, 1781), and the "Recherches" on the same subject, by "un citoyen de Virginie " (Mazzei), as well as the account of the United States furnished “L'Univers, ou Histoire et Descriptions des Tous les Peuples "—a work of valuable reference, by M. Roux, who was formerly French Minister in this country, of which he gives a copious though condensed account-are among the many works more or less superseded as authorities, yet all containing some salient points of observation or suggestive reasoning. "L Spectateur Américaine," of Mandrillon, Cartier's "Nouvelle France," Bonnet's "Etats Unis à la fin du 18me Centurie," Beaujour's "Aperçu des États Unis,” Gentry's "Influence of the Discovery of America," and Grasset's "Encyclopédie des Voyages," afford many suggestive and some original facts and speculations. Lavasseur's "Lafayette in America," and Count O'Mahony's "Lettres

* "Lafayette in America in 1824-25; or, A Journal of a Voyage to the United States," by A. Lavasseur, Secretary to General Lafayette, 2 vols., 12mo., Philadelphia, 1829

sur les États Unis," contain some curious details and useful material. To these may be added, as more or less worthy of attention, of the earlier records, the "Memoires de Baron La Hontan," and later, the "Observations upon Florida," by Vignoles, and the volumes of Clavière, Soutel, Engle, Franchère, Palessier, Bossu, Hariot, Chabert, Bouchet, HurtBinet, &c.

Besides the more formal records of tours in America, and episodes of military memoirs devoted thereto, the incidental personal references in the correspondence of the gallant officers and noblemen of France who mingled in our best local society, at the Revolutionary era, afford vivid glimpses of manners and character, such as an ingenious modern novelist would find admirable and authentic materiel. It was a period when republican simplicity coalesced with the refinements of education and the prestige of old-school manners, and therefore afforded the most salient traits. Some of the most ardent tributes to American women of that date were written from Newport, in Rhode Island, by their Gallic admirers; and in these spontaneous descriptions, when stripped of rhetorical exaggeration, we discern a state of society and a phase of character endeared to all lovers of humanity, and trace both, in no small degree, to the institutions and local influences of the country. The Duc de Lauzun, when sent into Berkshire County, because his knowledge of English made his services as an envoy more available than those of his brother officers, seems to regard the errand as little better than exile, and says, "Lebanon can only be compared to Siberia." Attached to the society of Newport, and domesticated with the Hunter family, he is never weary of expatiating upon the sweetness, purity, and grace of the women of "that charming spot regretted by all the army."

* La Honton's (Baron) "Mémoires de l'Amérique Septentrionale, ou la Suite des Voyages, avec un petit Dictionnaire de la Langue du Pais," 2 tomes, 12mo., map and plates, Amsterdam, 1705.

+ Vignoles' (Charles) "Observations upon the Floridas," 8vo., New York,

And when De Vauban there introduced the Prince de Broglie to a pretty Quakeress, the former writes that he "suddenly beheld the goddess of grace and beauty-Minerva in person." It is a striking illustration of the social instinct of the French, that manners, character, and personal appearance occupy so large a space in their commentaries on America.

"Other parts of America," says another officer, "were only beautiful by anticipation; but the prosperity of Rhode Island was already complete. Newport, well and regularly built, contained a numerous population. It offered delightful circles, composed of enlightened men and modest and handsome women, whose talents heightened their personal attractions." This was in 1782, ere the commercial importance of the port had been superseded, and when the belles of the town were the toast and the triumph of every circle. La Rochefoucault and other French tourists, at a later period, found the prosperity of the town on the wane, and the social distinction modified; yet none the less attractive and valuable are the fresh and fanciful but sincere testimonies to genuine and superior human graces and gifts, of the French memoirs.

But such casual illustrations of the candid and kindly observation of our gallant allies, fade before the consistent and intelligent tributes of Lafayette, whose relation to America is one of the most beautiful historical episodes of modern times. After his youthful championship in the field, and his mature counsels, intercessions, and triumphant advocacy of our cause in France (for, " during the period," says Mr. Everett, "which intervened, from the peace of '83 to the organization of the Federal Government, Lafayette performed, in substance, the functions of our Minister"), when forty years had elapsed, he revisited the land for which he had fought in youth, to witness the physical and social, the moral and intellectual fruits of "liberty protected by law." And during this whole period, and to the time of his death, he was in correspondence, first with Washington and the leading men of the Revolution, and later with various per

sonal friends. In his letters from and to America, there is constant indirect testimony to and illustration of the character of the people, the tendencies of opinion, the means and methods of life and government, founded on observation, intercourse, and sympathy, and endeared and made emphatic by his devotion to our spotless chief, his sacrifices for our cause, and his unswerving devotion to our political principles; in a word, by his vigilant and faithful love of America.

In 1824, De Pradt, formerly archbishop of Malines, and deputy to the Constituent Assembly from Normandy, a voluminous political writer, published "L'Europe et l'Amérique," in two volumes, the third of his works on this subject, "in which he gives an historical view of the principles of government in the Old and New Worlds." Judicious critics pronounce his style verbose and incorrect, and his views partial and shallow. His motto is, "Le genre humain est en marche et rien ne le fera rétrograder.”

Several of the French Protestant clergy have visited the United States within the last few years, and some of them have put on record their impressions, chiefly with regard to the actual state of religion. In many instances, however, thê important facts on this subject have been drawn from the copious and authentic American work of Dr. Baird.* Among books of this class, are "L'Amérique Protestante," par M. Rey, and the sketches of M. Grandpierre and M. Fisch. The latter's observations on Religion in America, originally appeared in the "Revue Chretien," but were subsequently embodied in a small volume, which includes observations on other themes.t

The latter work, though limited in scope, and the fruit of a brief visit, has an interest derived from the circumstance that the worthy pasteur arrived just before the fall of Sumter, and was an eyewitness and a conscientious though terse reporter of the aspects of that memorable period. He recog

*"Religion in America," by Robert Baird, D. D.

+"Les États Unis en 1861," par Georges Fisch, Paris, 1862.