it not for the principle of speculative value, which enters into nearly all of our transactions.  In Paris the man or woman who sells a duchess an elegant bauble, is half the time content to eat his humble dinner in a small room adjoining his shop, to sleep in an entresol over it, and to limit his profits by his wants.  The pressure of society reduces him to this level.  With us the thing is reversed, and the consumer is highly taxed, as a necessary result.  As we become more familiar with the habits of European life, the demand will gradually reduce the value of these minor articles, and we shall obtain them at the same relative prices, as ordinary silks and shawls are now to be had.  At present it must be confessed that our shops make but indifferent figures compared with those of London and Paris.  I question if the best of them would pass for more than fourth-rate in London, or for more than third-rate here; though the silk-mercers at home might possibly be an exception to the rule.

The amount of all my experience, on this point, is to convince me, that so long as one is willing to be satisfied with the habits of American life, which include a great abundance, many comforts, and even some few elegancies, that are not known here, such as the general use of carpets, and that of many foreign articles which are excluded from the European markets by the different protective systems, but which, also, do not know a great many embellishments of living that are common all over Europe, he can get along with a good deal less money in New York, than in Paris; certainly, with less, if he mix much with the world.

EXCURSION UP THE RHINE, &c.

LETTER VIII.

Preparations for leaving-Paris.—­Travelling arrangements.—­Our Route.—­The Chateau of Ecouen.—­The Croisee.—­Senlis.—­Peronne.—­Cambray.—­Arrival at the Frontier.—­Change in the National Character.—­Mons.—­Brussels.—­A Fete.—­The Picture Gallery.—­Probable Partition of Belgium.

Dear ——­,

We had been preparing for our summer excursion some time, but were unable to get away from Paris before the 18th of July.  Our destination was undetermined, health and pleasure being the objects, though, a portion of our party having never seen Belgium, it was settled to visit that country in the commencement of the journey, let it end where it might The old caleche was repaired for the purpose, fitted with a new rumble to contain Francois and Jetty (the Saxon femme de chambre, hired in Germany), the vache was crammed, sacks stowed, passport signed, and orders were sent for horses.  We are a little apt to boast of the facilities for travelling in America, and, certainly, so long as one can keep in the steam-boats or on the rail-roads, and be satisfied with mere velocity, no part of the world can probably compete with us, the distances considered; but we absolutely want the highest order