Impressions of America | Page 3

The resident families are not numerous, but appear to mix sociably; and,
what with a drive or ride upon the fine beach between this and Lynn, a
sail in the harbour, or a ramble amongst the rude crags by which the
place is environed, find means diversified enough of killing the enemy.
For my part, I am pleased with the place; and were it not that my
incarnate foes have chosen, contrary to established custom, to make an
inroad here, my satisfaction would be complete. But, as it is, they have

at length once more prevailed over my patience: with my eyes nearly
swollen up and my hands miserably blistered, I find further resistance
too painful, therefore have decided upon flight after a fortnight's
residence.
One of the preparations for my comfort, at the dinner-table of Mr.
P----s, with whose amiable family I have latterly dined, was a cup of
rose-water and eau de Cologne, with patches of the rice paper of China,
wherewith to allay the intolerable itching that attends the puncture of
these winged leeches, whose voracity is incredible. I have at times
caught a villain in the act, and watched with patience until from one of
the veins of the hand he had drunk blood enough to blow out his little
carcase to the shape of a tennis-ball, when he would poise himself upon
his long legs, and, spreading his wings, make an effort to rise, but in
vain; bloated and unwieldy, his wings refused to sustain him; his usual
activity was gone, and there he stood disgustingly helpless,
incapacitated by sheer gluttony.
In the first week of August I bade adieu to the rocks of Nahant, and for
the last time drove over the beach to Lynn. Not having received any
letters during my residence on the little peninsula--which, it appears, is
out of the circuit of the post-office department--I called at the
establishment of Lynn to make inquiry whether or no any letters had
been forwarded here: the young man in attendance "guessed" that there
had been one or two, maybe; but if there was, the stage-driver had had
them. Now there being a feud between the said driver and the hotel I
lodged in, my ever getting my letters appears a doubtful matter:
however, "I guess" I'll try.

THE BALLOON.
TAUNTON.--COTTON
MANUFACTURES.--POCASSETT.--RHODE ISLAND.
On arriving at Boston, I found the whole city in movement to assist, as
the French say, in the ascent of a balloon, constructed by a Mr. Durant,

already well known as an experienced and intrepid aëronaut.
Purchasing a ticket for the Amphitheatre, a lofty temporary enclosure
with rows of seats running round it, I fell into the crowd, and made my
way across the common at the extremity of which the building in
question was situated.
Although the day was hot and bright, there was a very strong southerly
wind blowing; and rolling away to the north-east, heavy masses of
cloud passed over the sun like snow-drifts, promising a rapid flight for
the balloon.
This common, flanked as it is by the finest residences of the city, the
Bostonians often compare with our Hyde Park. Its surface is broken
and irregular, and on this day the whole area was alive with expectant
gazers; whilst the several lines of streets leading into it were thronged
with hurrying reinforcements.
Selecting a point of vantage, I stood for some time examining the
materials out of which this vast congregation was made up, and I have
never seen a population whose general appearance would endure so
close a scrutiny as well.
I computed that the women outnumbered their less attractive
companions by at least a third: these were all in holiday trim, of course;
invariably well dressed, but commonly having a pretension to taste and
style I have never elsewhere observed so universally prevalent amongst
the same class. The men, both in air and dress, were inferior to their
female friends; so much so that it was difficult to imagine them
belonging to the same order: and this remark, I think, will be found to
apply generally throughout the Union.
It is not difficult to account for this discrepancy: a love of adornment is
natural to women; the general prosperity which prevails here enables
all classes to indulge a taste for dress, whilst the leisure enjoyed by
females gives them facilities for acquiring those little aids by which
gay attire is disposed and set off to the best advantage.

After a time I slowly made my way to the Amphitheatre, presented my
ticket and was admitted within the enclosure, where the arrangements
for the flight were in busy progress.
The inflation was nearly complete, and the huge machine rolled about
from side to side uneasily abiding the restraint which alone prevented
its immediate ascent. It was