LÍBERTY AND SLAVERY IN AMERICA.*

BY A RETURNED EMIGRANT.

SOME of our sinecurists, and all our officials, will sincerely congratulate themselves on being Britons, when they learn what small salaries are paid to public functionaries in the State of Alabama. The governor-the state executive—the arbiter of life and death-has 2000 dollars a year, about the same as a first-rate merchant's clerk. No house allowed, not even a shanty ; so he occupies an apartment in a boarding-house at Tuscalossa, the seat of government. I understand he regrets having given up his practice as a lawyer, and contemplates resuming it, even before his appointment expires. The highest salary paid to a judge is 1750 dollars, and a man of eminence will not accept the office, unless under peculiar circumstances;-for instance, a lawyer, who had acquired a large fortune, and wished to retire from practice, but could not disengage himself from his clients, applied to the Legislature, got himself appointed to the bench, and so became disqualified for practice.

Mobile Theatre is a new and well-proportioned building, capable of containing 800 or 900 persons, but not yet completely finished, or furnished with scenery. It is much frequented by the men, and is the only relaxation from business of that large majority who do not attend evening service or lectures. I was in the house one evening when there was not a female there, except the actresses; but there were 300 or 400 men in the parquette and boxes, most of them well-dressed, and some as respectable as any in the city; but, in general, there are from two or three to a score of ladies in the first tier of boxes. I sat in the parquette which was open to the boxes, furnished with chairs instead of benches; and, having a considerable slope, it commanded a good view of the stage from every part; so that I should have been comfortable enough, could I have selected my neighbours. Most of them had their jaws furnished with a tobacco-quid, and I frequently shrunk from pollution; yet not always successfully, as my clothes testified on the following morning. This an American does not mind - neither the spitter nor the spittee: no apology is expected or given; though it must be admitted that the careless, but accidental, transgressor, if he observes his mal-address, generally smooths it down with his pocket-handkerchief, or the skirt of his coat.

Eating nuts and sucking oranges afforded a pretty general accompaniment to the performance; for, between the acts, the majority go to the saloon to take a glass;-whether it be that they have not time during the remainder of the day-for nuts cannot be masticated in a hurry, like the scramble called dinner,--or that tobacco, being of an unsocial nature, will not admit of a companion,-or that the general machinery of their senses works the more pleasantly for having all its parts going at once; however this may be, the nuts appear almost as gratifying as the stage performance, or even as the quid. One night, being annoyed by two noisy sailors, I left my seat, and removed to the other side of the parquette, when I found a vacant chair aloof from any person. Presently a man brought a chair, and placed himself close by me; and, to my discomfiture, I perceived at once, by the effluvia, that he was chewing pea-nuts. I had some thoughts of trying another remove, when I became convinced of the hopelessness of an escape from the infliction; for I saw, in the front row of the opposite box, a trio of young beauties employed in the same manner, who ever and anon turned their heads, and freely shared the nutty fragrance with the envied and highly favoured swains behind them.

Continued from Vol. xlvi., page 466. May.-VOL. XI.VII. NO. CLXXXV,

F

There is not, I believe, in the world another theatre so well supported by so small a population, the white inhabitants probably not amounting to 5000 when the city is most full; yet the theatre draws as numerous audiences, on the whole, as those of Dublin, Liverpool, or Edinburgh. Some of the performers displayed merit, but the majority were very bad, and sadly imperfect in their parts; this was, indeed, unavoidable, from the constant succession of stars, and new pieces, with the same scenery, the same stock actors, and the same music, and pretty nearly the same audience. The performers and musicians are paid from 12 to 20 dollars a week, and their board and lodging costs them 25 or 30 dollars a month.

The chief attraction was a young actress, a Miss Voss, who, with an agreeable face and figure, possessed a good deal of native talent, which much wanted judicious cultivation. In tragic parts she displayed both energy and feeling, notwithstanding a habit of measuring out her words one by one, laying emphasis impartially on each, to the great advantage of the ifs, buts, ands, and other small fry. Yet I liked her, particularly in comedy, in which her nature was less trammelled. Her youth, animation, and freedom from pretension rendered her a general favourite. She hardly displayed sufficient grace or elegance in her Lady Teazle to satisfy a London audience; but she possesses the ore, it only wants polishing. Unfortunately for native talent, the newspapers here, as well as throughout the Union, only praise; they do not criticise. Whether it be want of judgment, want of time, or unwillingness to hurt the feelings, or most probably a combination of the above causes, they content themselves with passing common-place encomiums, which their memory may supply, without searching their brains, or weighing the sources of their gratification or disappoint

ment.

To be very emphatic is at all times with inferior actors-what bleeding was with Doctor Sangrado-the grand secret of art: but I never heard words made so much of as in this country; such as making one syllable into two,-for example-e-von, hea-von-“ even, heaven." A distinguishing feature with the male part of an American audience is their susceptibility with respect to language of a certain description. A double entendre is always followed by a general scream: and, in some cases, they discover and acknowledge a second meaning, which probably had escaped the author. This sensitiveness might be mistaken for delicacy, but is, in fact, its reverse; the soil must be rank and fresh for such seeds to take quick root in; they perish at once in the pure and well-cultivated. The Americans are most placable and indulgent auditors; and with respect to omissions, alterations, and disappointments, by manager or performer-all being friends-little apology or explanation is necessary; but should the offender happen to have made personal enemies, they can be unjust, implacable, and tyrannical, and hunt a poor player from the stage.

But this theatre, though not yet two years old, has witnessed tragedies of real life, which, though of little more importance here than scenic representations, would, in some countries which I could name, very probably finish with the gallows. While I was in Mobile two relatives of the name of M'Grew came there to show off in the swaggering and bullying line. They resided in the interior of the State, in the county of Sumpter, where they had distinguished themselves by many ruffianly pranks and barbarous jokes; but being tall and powerful men, none dared to retaliate or to punish. all within their dangerous vicinity bore their insults, or purchased their forbearance. It was stated in a Mobile paper that no person within the sphere of their visits dared to refuse any demands they chose to make, or to repel their intrusion. These two well-grown ruffians entered the theatre one evening in the month of February, and at once attacked, with violent language, the mate of some vessel in the port, with whom they had had a previous dispute. The mate, who was in the stage-box, wished to have the matter postponed till the following day; but one of the savages cut the

matter short by drawing his dirk and plunging it into his body. The wound, though dangerous, did not prove mortal; but the most curious part of the business to an European must be the facility with which they escaped any consequences of the deed. The audience pretty generally expressed their abhorrence; but neither they nor the police had the courage or public spirit to act. Few there are in the United States who, from such motives, will face an armed, powerful, and reckless savage; and no man is so infamous as to be without associates and followers of his own stamp, who will not question his actions, but support them. However, on the following day an investigation took place before the mayor, which, by the evidence and influence of some equivocal characters, ended in the acquittal of the two country innocents: not even a fine had been inflicted, and the parties-his honour the mayor, and other magistrates, witnesses and culprits-adjourned to a public-house to wash down all animosity.*

During the preceding season a similar affair-not an affair of honour-took place between a doctor and a captain in the same theatre. They had had a quarrel some years previously, on which occasion the doctor had, it appeared, cautioned the captain never to show himself in any place where he was; which advice the captain did not follow, for he appeared in the front row of a box, seated between his wife and daughter, though the doctor was actually in the next box with some females of his family. But this could not be permitted, so the Esculapian hero entered the captain's box, and after reproving him for not better attending to his command, he proceeded forthwith to belabour him with a cowhide, holding at the same time a dirk in his left hand. The captain was soon on his legs, with a pistol in his hand, which he was proceeding to use, when he was seized by a friend, who clasped his arms round him, interposing his person between the combatants. While they were struggling to get at each other-the one with a dirk, the other with a pistol- the captain put his arm round the mediator, and shot the doctor, but unfortunately, as many people afterwards had the good taste to observe, not with fatal effect; for his wrist saved his life, at the expense of a fracture, and the ball finally made a flesh-wound in his side. The matter ended here, except that the mayor fined them a small sum each, which was no object; but such seems to be the utmost rigour of the law on such occasions.

While stopping at the Mansion House, which, be it known, is the most expensive and fashionable hotel in the State of Alabama, I had the good fortune to witness one of those duels peculiar to this people. A wealthy merchant of Mobile, of the name of A- who resided in the Mansion House, and visited in the first society, formerly had some dispute with a Mr. K—, a merchant, or store-keeper, in Montgomery. This latter came to Mobile, as was afterwards supposed, for the purpose of whipping Mr. A—, and took up his quarters at the same house. He accordingly demanded an apology for some words, which Mr. A- was willing to give; but there was always something found to be unsatisfactory in the form of it-in short, Mr. Kthirsted for a fight, and took every opportunity of threatening and bullying Mr. A, who, on several occasions, escaped from him by flying for protection into ladies' apartments. But at length the persecution became too hot to be endured, and Mr. A-, having procured the aid of a fighting friend, they armed themselves with loaded pistols and dirks, and lay in wait for Mr. K in the ante-room communicating with the dining-room, to do some woeful deed on him as he should come forth from the dinner-table. Of this the gentleman got notice, and accordingly, as he rose from table, he drew his pistol and cocked it, holding it under his skirt. On his entering the ante-room, the two gentlemen who were lying in ambush rushed on him, each presenting his pistol. Mr. K- then exclaiming "One at a

*One of those ruffians has since been taken in the province of Texas, and brought prisoner to Mobile.

time!" retreated into the dining-room, pursued by his antagonists, with pistols still presented, to the great dismay of thirty or forty ladies, and about a hundred gentlemen, who were seated at the table. The ladies screamed, and some of the gentlemen unquestionably ducked their heads; but a general rise ensued, and the parties were disarmed.

However, the "d-d good-natured friends" of both parties decreed that there should be an end to such turmoil, and that they must fight it out at once, with the weapons which nature had given them-fists, teeth, and nails. Accordingly, they adjourned to the street, and, nolens volens, they stripped and fell to work, to the great delight of the doctors, lawyers, and colonels assembled. The mayor gently remonstrated, but was shoved aside; an alderman ditto, with a box in the face which set his nose bleeding. The city guard, within fifty yards, was of no use, and did not try. Poor Awas knocked under; I saw him myself lying on his back, his head on the curb-stone, against which K- - bumped it, holding him by the under-jaw, which he had grasped in his right hand, which of course occupied the man's mouth-a hold by which it is said the jaw can readily be disengaged from the rest of the face. However, while he was twisting, the apparently dying moans of A caused the highly entertained audience to interfere.

Bills were found by the grand jury against the parties. Mr. K went home, and so escaped, though still in the same State; but poor Awas fined 800 dollars, which he actually paid for getting disfigured in a fight for which he had never shown any stomach. The other individuals easily got off by the usual convenient flaw in the indictment, as might naturally be expected, where such very respectable gentlemen were concerned. These transactions never were noticed in the newspapers, any more than hundreds beside of a similar description.

In every account of American habits, when they are described by tourists as inferior to those of Europe, and in which exceptions are allowed in favour of a refined few, it would be desirable, if possible, to give the extent of those exceptions. In the present instance, I will endeavour to give the proportion of the gentlemanly population of Mobile who were capable, or incapable, of enjoying the above characteristic fight. I shall estimate the entire number at six or seven hundred, consisting of all the learned professions, merchants, store-keepers, and their clerks, builders, office-holders, and country planters; and I believe I have underrated their numbers. Of the above, I calculate that thirty or forty would be incapable of willingly countenancing such an affray; and those may be subdivided as follows:-Ten or twelve merchants, tolerably well-educated Europeans; about the same number of Americans, from the Northern States, owing to good education, peaceable habits, or aristocratic refinement;-the balance would consist of religious persons, preachers, &c. Among the fighters would be found as wealthy, as learned, and far more popular, members of society.

While in Mobile I had an opportunity of seeing the exhibition of Mr. Catlin. This gentleman was on his return from the far West, beyond the sources of the Missouri and the Mississippi, where he remained during five years, visiting the various tribes of Indians scattered through the large territories extending from those rivers to the Pacific Ocean. His exhibition consisted of a vast number of portraits of individuals of every tribe, of landscapes, of representations of their dwellings, their games, their battles, their hunting and their religious ceremonies. At these last-mentioned rites he is the only white man who was ever allowed to be present, which was owing to the veneration caused by his professional skill. He visited thirty-seven tribes speaking different languages, most of them still uncontaminated by the dregs of civilization. I have never witnessed a more interesting exhibition, and yet I have seen the Louvre with all its glorious plunder. As works of art, Mr. Catlin's productions do not rank high, as he candidly admits, and fully accounts for, from the difficulties of his situation: but they are doubtless faithful pictures; and the energy, the enthusiasm, and the

clearness of his explanations, joined to the novelty of the whole, justly entitles, and will procure for the artist fortune and fame wherever he goes.

I had an opportunity of observing on this occasion, as at many other times, the extraordinary attention paid to the fair sex, so far outstripping even French politeness. It was quite useless for any man to secure a good seat, as he must give it up to the first female that wanted it; I, myself, who did not know a lady in the room, had to remove from bench to bench as the fresh arrivals came, until I was reduced to standing room. I do not mention this by way of boasting of my gallantry; for I candidly confess that, after one or two removes, I would have remained still had I dared. The ladies, too, take all this homage with the most complete nonchalance; and the male victim of politeness has not the satisfaction of receiving so much as a smile or a glance on the occasion. In every situation in which men and women meet in public, the case is the same. In a stage-coach, the humblest female dispossesses whoever occupies the best seat; in a theatre-let but a female appear standing at the entrance to a box, and every man in that box immediately rises, and draws back till she is accommodated; in a church or a steam-boat, it is the same; and in the street, though there should be plenty of room, it is common to see gentlemen step altogether off the footway while females pass. So strangely has custom established the right to this deference, that no man dares now to withhold it; and no lady condescends to acknowledge it, except perhaps to an acquaintance.

All this tends strongly to recal to mind the days of chivalry; accompanied as it is too with a similar warlike demeanour in the men-a quickness to take offence, and to strike; and a formality which admits no jesting with, or about, a female;-but with a deficiency, however, in that high sense of honour which would scorn an advantage, and that grace and refinement which men conspicuous in fearless principles, and courteous knights, entertain; but which it would be preposterous to look for in trading adventurers, and domestic drudges. These manners seem sufficient to account for that hardness of outline, ungentleness, difficulty to please, and independence, generally observable by strangers in the American ladies, which forms a character the very reverse of the softness, facility, desire to please, and grateful acceptance of attentions, of the French ladies. In America, they are looked up to as superiors, and shunned as social companions; in France, they are sought after in society, and treated familiarly as equals. Who has ever seen a Frenchman surrender the seat which he had engaged in a diligence to a female, or his priority of right in a theatre? But he pays her a much higher compliment in considering her worthy of his company and conversation; and at the same time he calls forth the faculty and the desire to please, which should be mutual in both sexes, as the advantages are mutual. He makes no sacrifices-displays no devotion, save in words-and is rewarded by gratified looks, and amiable replies; while the American, who seriously incommodes himself, neither expects, nor generally receives, the slightest acknowledgment or notice in return. It may be said that the latter is the most truly gallant, as he is the most disinterestedly so; but this depends on the meaning of the word; and sure I am, whatever may be the opinion of the American ladies, the dames of France would not exchange with them. Perhaps each thinks her own form of worship the most orthodox, which, as they are at the mercy of their votaries in that respect, is probably the wisest mode of thinking. In spirit and in truth, that is to say in matrimonial engagements, the American females have it hollow in their favour; but that arises from circumstances. Many a French couple pine away their beau jours in fruitless expectation of being enabled to wed, whilst in America every man can afford to marry.

With respect to the fulfilment of the more important duties of wife and mother, there is probably not much to choose between them. Happy and unhappy unions are found every where; and if divorces are more frequent