D - 25 12 PREFACE. THE sudden and unexpected Dissolution of the great American Union, accompanied as it is with a fierce war of devastation between men who but yesterday were fellowcitizens, and exulting, as it seemed, beyond all other people, in the Government of their own creation-excites more and more the attention and interest of the British people; and will probably continue to do so, until they satisfactorily understand the immediate causes of these startling convulsions in a great community, apparently so healthy and vigorous. Never was there a social and political derangement in which almost the whole turn of events so entirely differed from the common expectation. And, perhaps, the most unexpected circumstances are yet to happen before the close of this great Transatlantic drama, of which the first act is now just over. Two years ago, had the question been debated as to what important national Government would next undergo a great revolution, very few would have named the United States, then so flourishing and powerful, so favoured by nature, and their people so satisfied with their condition and their institutions-as the world believed. It is mainly with the hope of explaining the most active and powerful causes of this great revolution, that I offer this volume to the world. Those causes, little known as they were in this country, have long been seen and pointed out by the few who, amidst the universal whirl of life in the United States, took time to reflect upon the tendency of things; but who uttered their warnings in vain, to ears filled with the roar of the passing hour. A residence of some ten years in the United States, commencing at that memorable epoch of European convulsions, 1848, has afforded me a better opportunity of observing and understanding the people of whom I write— their habits and feelings, their private and public life—than is often enjoyed by those who endeavour to make people better acquainted with their distant brethren. While observing human nature and studying American politics, I had to work for my living; and I became so far Americanized that I ceased to be regarded or treated a stranger or foreigner. For some years, indeed, I looked upon the now famous city of Richmond as my home, and only left it with a view to escape from the national scourge, dyspepsia. The present volume is based upon memoranda and materials accumulated from time to time in various places, for the purpose of illustrating the social and political peculiarities of the United States people. The facts here given were collected, and to some extent arranged, before the present troubles arose. In considering and explaining them, I have had to abandon many preconceived ideas |