136 RESULTS OF SMOKING. a concerto infernale, made up of children screaming, boxes rattling, mistresses scolding, and black women chattering and screeching. To escape all which, I darted to the supper table, got a glass of fine water of Mount Lebanon diluted with a prudent quantity of alcohol, and returned to my den with a cigar, hoping to whiff away the cares of the day and woo old Morpheus to throw his mantle over me, as soon as I should have concluded this long lucubration; when, as illluck would have it, I heard one of the black damsels, who had ably assisted at the beforementioned diabolical concert, and whom I found belonged to a planter's party just arrived from Virginia, and was blessed, it appeared, with a most sensitive nose, exclaim, "I won't sleep-I can't sleep-I won't go a bed with them there nasty smoke fumes." She then began to spit and cough at a great rate, and reminded me much of a storm I once saw my friend Betsey Austin raise at Barbadoes! This sable damsel's rage knew no bounds. She first raised the window, then shut it with fury, then rushed into the passage, and finally appealed to her master and mistress, who, although they came from the very land of tobacco, the consumption of which gives them wealth, imperatively commanded the landlord to put down this nuisance; and I was glad to put out my cigar, for fear of being put out myself. This, you will admit, looked somewhat like the spirit of contradiction in this free and enlightened land; for behold me sitting peaceably in my own room, and meritoriously consuming a Virginian's produce, for which I had honestly paid, and then comes the Virginian himself and positively insists that I shall do no such thing: and perhaps the very next minute this advocate for universal freedom will protest against any legal 138 A FRIENDLY WISH. interference in the pleasure and pastime he has in beating his own niggers. I could almost find it in my heart to wish he had been in the humour this evening, and revenged me by administering a little wholesome correction to my sable tormentor. Good night. LETTER XII. The Love of Change-Waters and Baths of Lebanon - Journey to Albany-Temperance So cieties Politics Harrisonian Emblems AL "Und dieses dort ist nei mals hier." I QUOTE this truth from the wisdom of Schiller, which, as you will well remember, was given to us in the days of "Auld lang syne," by the fairest of all the fair dames of Vienna. At this place I have found it completely verified: for yesterday I thought I could pass an existence amongst the heathery hills of Lebanon: but, this morning, Rasselas-like, I wanted to get out of the happy valley; and lo and behold! here I am, in 140 EARNING A BREAKFAST. the ancient city of Albany, situated on the renowned Hudson, and the capital of the State of New York. But, before I bid adieu to the lofty land of Lebanon, let me recommend to you and to all travellers, its Pickerelle and honey-combs; provided you prepare yourselves for enjoying them as I this morning did, by starting from my roost at six; first inhaling the mountain air, then going to the bubbling fountain, and with the aid of a large tumbler, coaxing down my throat a quantity of fixed air, which put me in mind of that at Francisbrun and Langen Swalbach, although not quite so effervescing; then plunging into and prolonging the pleasure of a delicious warm bath; and thus earning a title to a breakfast of the bountiful kind I have already described to you. I have visited the Baths at Aix in Savoy; been repeatedly at those of Lucca, BadenBaden, Carlsbad, and Francisbrun; and I |