LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET.

RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET,

Publisher in Ordinary to Her Majesty.

1862.

[The right of Franslation is reserved.]

6.1.

us 5458. 27.11

ид

Am 716682

1892, Dec. 1.

Harvard University.
Library of U.S. History

life of

Prof. A. B. Hart,
TRANSFERVED TO

ARVAND COLLEGE LIBEARY

AG 22 1936

PREFACE

TO THE FOURTH EDITION.

THE interest of the subject examined in the following pages, has caused a demand for second and third editions, before the war had thrown any new light upon the arguments. I have also been desirous to defer the task of revision, in order to benefit by those criticisms whose pungent but medicinal virtue might aid me, in endeavouring to render the work less unworthy of the reader.

Several critics have alleged that the evils of the Union, and their baneful effect on the national character, are depicted too darkly. This is by no means surprising. Whoever visits New York or Chicago, and beholds the wonderful progress of the country, the energy of its people, the splendour of its cities, the length of its railways, the profusion of its products-marvellous creations of so brief a history, and pointing to a

future as bright and illimitable whoever has impressed upon his mind this side of the picture, and this alone, will turn with impatience from the other side of it, contrasting so harshly, yet equally true and of not less grave importance. There are few who have not witnessed the hectic glow and vivid energy, too often the delusive effects of undermining disease. To judge of the Union by its glittering surface, may be just as deceptive as to imagine that fatal beauty to be an evidence of health.

There are those, too, who have formed their opinions by the perusal of American literature. Familiar with the exquisite taste and genial humour of Irving-the graphic power of Cooper -the glowing eloquence of Channing-the touching pathos of Longfellow-the sparkling grace of Motley-impressions derived from these will naturally recoil from representations so discordant. But to judge of the United States by the few choice spirits of a literary circle, would be as unwise as to judge of the wealth of a country by some pearls found upon its shores. The writers of America may indeed be taken as an ensample, not of what its politicians are, but of those from whom they most widely differ.