’Tis a queer people and country, I can tell you. They
fell into a phrenzy at Mrs. Trollope,
because she said they put their feet over their heads (which is true), and with
me because I said they eschewed finger-glasses (which is also true), and yet
they are quite charmed with M. de
Beaumont’s work, which says that commercial and conjugal
contracts are held in like slight respect, and that the violation of either the
one or the other does not prevent a man’s retaining his footing in
society, and being held worthy of all trust, respect, and consideration (which
is also true). You appear to be, just now, in a strange chaotic state in
England; and as for the good folks here they are going on in the strangest way
in the world; mobs in every part of the country, burning, tarring and
feathering, hanging ad libitum, without judge, jury, or other warrant
than their own sovereign pleasure. The Slave question is becoming one of
extreme excitement. The Northern folks push the emancipation plans with all the
zeal of people who have nothing to lose by their philanthropy, and the
Southerners hold fast by their slippery property like so many tigers. The
miserable blacks are restricted every day within narrower bounds of freedom,
and the result of all is clear enough to my perception; the abuse is growing
| MRS. BUTLER. | 405 |
