LETTERS, &c.

Letter XXVE.

Boston,

Sept. 1820. WE arrived here on the 5th instant, having left Andover, about 20 miles distant, early in the morning, and took up our abode at J-'s, the principal boarding-house, where there is a party of eighteen or twenty. Some of the boarders are respectable families from the southern States; others, men of business from various parts of Europe. We all assemble at meals, and the house is pleasant and well conducted, although I am not yet reconciled to the necessity of making my bed-chamber my private sitting-room.

My commercial and social engagements have, however, left me little leisure; for nothing can exceed the hospitable attentions of the principal families here; and the good humour and intelligence which pervade the society I have met at their houses, renders it very agreeable. The day but one after my arrival, I received a very favourable impression of Boston society, at a large dinner party, consisting of many of my southern friends, who were returning from Ballston Springs, some of the Professors of Harvard College, Cambridge, and many very well-educated young men, who had travelled in Europe for improvement. This impression has been confirmed by the more extended observation I have since had the opportunity of making in a round of visiting, during which I have dined out nearly every day.

The Georgians and Carolinians, to whom the Bostonians have been performing the rites of hospitality for some weeks, have added much to the pleasure of our social intercourse; but they are now generally proceeding to New York or Philadelphia, where they will remain till the southern fevers abate, (poor Savannah is ́in a dreadful state.) This interchange of civilities, and constant meeting at the Springs, is gradually extinguishing sectional prejudices;

and as the Canadians are beginning to enter the circle, I hope it will abate something of the disgraceful animosity of the colonies towards their neighbours. I lately met Mr. Poletica, the Russian Ambassador, with the Secretary of Legation, at a party here; but they returned to Washington some days since.

Boston has often been compared with Liverpool; and on this occasion, I was much struck with the justice of the comparison. You would be surprised to see how strong a resemblance there is between the two places, in the general aspect and furniture of the houses, in the domestic arrangements and style of living, and in the manners, habits, and character of the people.

There is much simplicity and frankness in the manners of the young ladies; and the intimate connection of their brothers, or relatives, with the neighbouring college, seems, in many instances, to have had a happy influence on their literary taste. I have met with no blue stocking ladies, although I am disposed to believe that a larger proportion understand a little of Latin than with us. Some, I am told, are learning Greek, but I give this merely as an on dit.

"I know not how the truth may be,
"I tell the tale as 'twas told to me."

Of the lighter accomplishments, dancing seems to be the general favourite, and to be pursued with no ordinary zest. The number of balls which are given would surprise you. I have lately been at several large evening parties, arising out of weddings, which always seem to be going on in this country, as of course they must, where the population doubles itself in 20 or 25 years.

The country, in the neighbourhood of Boston, is undulating and beautiful, and enriched with a profusion of wood and water. The fine bay,

studded with islands, forms an interesting object, from many of the handsome country seats in the neighbourhood. The weather generally has been delightful, like our finest autumnal weather, with skies so clear, that we have occasionally seen a planet from the Exchange, at 3 o'clock in the day. We have since had some of our November rain and cloud; but the sky is now clear and frosty, and fires are universal.

A few days since, I visited the Waltham cotton mills, and was much surprised to see the degree of perfection they have obtained, both in spinning and in weaving by power-looms. They very obligingly showed me their books, and all the particulars with respect to speed, waste, wages, expenses, and profit. The last