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last, however, he departs from nature, than which nothing is more easily detected. The L. Family set out from upon a visit to Washington, where they spend the winter. He introduces them as a people but a small degree removed from rusticity; and while he exhibits them under this character, the novel (or whatever it be,) is truly amusing; but in getting on he exhibits them in a different light; the same persons on a sudden become refined, and surprise us by their judicious remarks, and a display of elegant manners, which, though nevertheless pleasing, is a distortion of nature. Besides these works, he is the author of several plays; and one other work of some merit; which last I have seen. His style is very much improved since he wrote Glencairn, at which time he must have been quite young indeed, as he does not appear to be over twentyfive at this time, (1824.) But in none of these works appears that simplicity which some admire in a writer, and which so eminently distinguishes Glencairn. Mr. Watterston is however a good writer, inferior to few in the United States. He is librarian of the public library of Congress, for which he receives fifteen hundred dollars per annum. Previous to my knowledge of him as a writer, I visited the library, and was much struck with his gentlemanly appearance and manners; I mentioned the circumstance to some who knew him, when I learned his claims to literary fame. On my next visit to the library, I ventured an indirect compliment to him as the author of "Glencairn;" he blushed deep, and asked where I had seen it. Mr. W. is a man of good size, neither spare nor robust; he is a fine figure, and possessed of some personal beauty; his complexion fair, his countenance striking, shows genius and deep penetration, marked with gravity, though manly and commanding. A sweet serenity diffuses itself over his countenance, which no accident can ruffle; and under the veil of retiring modesty, discovers his blushing honors thick upon him. No mental pleasure is equal to that which we feel in beholding an author, particularly one whose works we have read, without the smallest idea of ever seeing the writer; there is something

which we cannot express, arising from mingled feelings produced by this intellectual feast. Besides Mr. Watterston, whom Washington may almost claim as her son, the city reckons two other literary men, viz :— Doctor Ewell and Doctor Watkins. The former is the author of a medical work which bears his name, and which is in the hands of almost every physician in the western country. Doctor Ewell is a native of Virginia, and supports the character of an able physician and an eminent surgeon; he is a man of plain and simple manners, a true indication of science and sense. He is easy of access, and condescending in his address; Socrates himself was not more artless in his common deportment. He is rather low of stature, inclined to corpulence, and somewhere about fifty years of age. He has a most engaging countenance; his fine, full, hazle eye, beaming with all the intelligence and vigour of youth. His features still retain the marks of beauty; his face is round. full, and perfectly free from wrinkles.

Doctor Watkins is in size very near the proportion of Doctor Ewell; perhaps taller, and not so corpulent; nor is he so old as the latter; he appeared to me about forty years of age. To the advantages of a very enga ging person, Doctor Watkins unites the most captivating manners, in which grace and dignity are equally blended; his complexion fair; his face oval and full; his brilliant blue eye bespeaks genius and quick discernment; his countenance open and benevolent; in short, he appears to be of the first order of gentlemen. He is said to possess some talents as a writer, though I have never seen any of his works. He is a native of Maryland, and secretary to the commissioners for settling Spanish claims under the treaty of Ghent. I am sorry my opportunity of doing justice to this amiable man, is by no means adequate to the task, having been in his company but a few minutes. In delineating char acter and personal appearance, a thorough acquaintance and close observation are indispensable, but such has been the nature of my situation and engagements

*He was born at sea, of Scottish parents, but reared and educated in Federal city.

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since my residence in Washington, as to put it out of my power to avail myself either of the one or the other. A brief sketch, therefore, is all that I aim at; were I even competent to do justice to a subject of all others the most difficult.

Since the nature of these observations has led to the mention of literary men, it may not be unwelcome to the reader to add one more remark respecting two men, eminent for their public services; I mean Messrs. Gales and Seaton, editors of the National Intelligencer. It will, no doubt, be pleasing to many to hear even a slight outline of two gentlemen who have been so long before the public; but it will be no more than a hasty sketch. Mr. Gales is of middle age, and quite a small man; his complexion dark, his face pale, and of an oval figure, with a keen black eye. In his manners he is affable and easy, in short, he seems to have dwelt all his life among the graces. On the score of politeness, he is a perfect model. In his conduct he is just, generous, and humane. In attention to business, indefatigable. Mr. S. yields greatly to Mr. G. in point of graceful and easy manners, he is a young looking man, not more than thirty years of age. He has, however, much the advantage of Mr. G. in personal appearance, elegant figure, tall, stout, and well made, his complexion fair, his face round, his features regular and handsome, with a penetrative blue eye. His countenance very manly and dignified, his conversation marked with decision. Both those gentlemen evince a general knowledge of men and manners, and demean themselves with all the rectitude and correctness of honest and respectable citizens. They have for several years edited the celebrated paper in Washington, called the "National Intelligencer." Mr. Force, the editor of the "National Journal," is a man of mild and unassuming pretensions, steady in his principles, deliberate in his actions, modest in his deportment, and humanity itself. Mr. F. is a man of good size, rather spare, his face oval, his complexion dark, his eye a soft hazle, his counteuance calm and serene, with much expression. He is about twenty-six years of age, a partner with Davis, of

New-York, in an extensive firm, as publisher and bookseller. He is a member of the City Council of Washington. Besides the "National Journal," and "National Intelligencer," there is a third paper published in Washington, called the "Washington Gazette," published by Mr. Elliot, a paper of unlimited circulation.

Washington City is laid off into six wards, each of which has one alderman, one constable, and more or less common council-men. The corporation is governed by a mayor, who is elected by the citizens annually.These constables are the most hateful of their species; they are ferocious in their appearance, and the most important men (if they deserve the name,) in all the city. They execute the duties of their office without pity or feeling, and take the most nefarious measures with those victims who may be so unfortunate as to fall into their cluiches. It would be a great alleviation of human misery, if men of feeling were selected for an office which has so much to do with it. I have all my life remarked, that constables have less humanity than any of the human race. Whilst speaking on this subject, it is with the most heart-felt pleasure I advert to an act of Congress exempting females from prosecution for debt in the District of Columbia. This magnanimous and humane act in favor of the tender sex, has done them immortal honor, and ought to obliterate all their faults, were they as numerous as the sand on the shore. It is to be hoped that every state and city in the Union will imitate their noblo example, and blot out for ever this foul stain upon the American character. The shameful practice of impris oning men, is worthy only the most despotic govern ments, (I was going to say the Inquisition;) but to subject females to cruel confinement, is highly disgraceful to a free people ;—it is high time this misguided imitation of European policy should be discarded from our shores.

Gardens, &c.-There are no public gardens in Washington, nor do the private ones deserve the name. The citizens yield greatly to those of Alexandria in their attention to gardens, in which neither taste nor utility appears. A very handsome public garden is laid out near

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Manners and appearance. With respect to the manners and appearance, no description can be given that would yield satisfaction. Perhaps no body of people can be found equal to the number, in which there is less similarity than in Washington. In their appearance scarcely any resemblance can be traced, and so of their manners. The cause of this is to be found in the nature of its population, which is derived from every part of the world. The inducements held out to all classes of people to settle the metropolis were many and lucrative. Here was much work to do, of all descriptions; a number of buildings to be erected, which required artificers of all sorts. These artificers were to be victualed and attended, which drew another species of emigrants. Anon, the Congress and a long train of public officers are to be furnished with accommodations, and foreign ambassadors and ministers swell the demand.These allurements, added to the eager desire of government to sell the lots donated to it by the proprietors of the city lands, produced a flood of emigration to the metropolis from all parts, both of Europe and the United States. These people brought with them different habits, religions, and customs; most of them, however, were from Ireland, and principally of the humblest class of citizens. This age must pass away before any thing like assimilation of manners or characteristic traits can be assigned to the citizens of Washington.

The population of Washington may be said to consist of four distinct classes of people, whose pursuits, interests and manners, differ as widely as though they lived on opposite sides of the globe, viz. those who keep congress boarders and their mutual friends, the subordinate officers of government; these resemble in every respect and ought never to be separated; secondly, the labouring class; thirdly, what may be called the better sort; and fourthly, the free negroes. It may be observed briefly, that the first mentioned class are proud, ignorant,