The view of America, suggests some remarks on the political peculiarities of the United States, with speculations on their future destiny.

A lively description of the contrast between the circumstances of the Kamtschadale—­

    “The shuddering tenant of the frigid zone,”

and the gay, voluptuous native of the Sandwich, and other isles within the tropics—­the one passing his life in toil, privation, and care—­the other in ease, abundance, and enjoyment—­leads to a similar conclusion to that expressed by Goldsmith:—­

    “And yet, perhaps, if countries we compare,
    And estimate the blessings which they share,
    Though patriots flatter, still shall wisdom find
    An equal portion dealt to all mankind.”

A disquisition also takes place—­whether India or Egypt were the parent of the Arts?

This leads them to refer to the strange custom in the country of the Brahmin, which impels the widow to throw herself on the funeral pile, and be consumed with her husband:—­

“I told him,” says Atterley, “that it had often been represented as compulsory—­or, in other words, that it was said that every art and means were resorted to, for the purpose of working on the mind of the woman, by her relatives, aided by the priests, who would be naturally gratified by such signal triumphs of religion over the strongest feelings of nature.  He admitted that these engines were sometimes put in operation, and that they impelled to the sacrifice, some who were wavering; but insisted, that in a majority of instances, the Suttee was voluntary.

“‘Women,’ said he, ’are brought up from their infancy, to regard our sex as their superiors, and to believe that their greatest merit consists in entire devotion to their husbands.  Under this feeling, and having, at the same time, their attention frequently turned to the chance of such a calamity, they are better prepared to meet it when it occurs.  How few of the officers in your western armies, ever hesitate to march, at the head of their men, on a forlorn hope? and how many even court the danger for the sake of the glory?  Nay, you tell me that, according to your code of honour, if one man insults another, he who gives the provocation, and he who receives it, rather than be disgraced in the eyes of their countrymen, will go out, and quietly shoot at each other with fire-arms, till one of them is killed or wounded; and this too, in many cases, when the injury has been merely nominal.  If you show such a contempt of death, in deference to a custom founded in mere caprice, can it be wondered that a woman should show it, in the first paroxysms of her grief for the loss of him to whom was devoted every thought, word, and action of her life, and who, next to her God, was the object of her idolatry?  My dear Atterley,’ he continued, with emotion, ’you little know the strength of woman’s love!’”

Other topics of interest are also discussed with the like ingenuity.