Editorial note — Chapter XIV

I.1 For the benefit of my readers who are not military, I subjoin the names of offices in our navy, and their correspondence in rank with army offices:—

Admiral is equal to General.

Vice-admiral ”” Lieutenant-general.

Rear-admiral ”” Major-general.

Captain ”” Colonel.

Captain-lieutenant ”” Lieutenant-colonel.

Lieutenant of the first class ”” Captain.

Lieutenant of the second class ”” First lieutenant.

I.2 A Netherland merchant ship, employed to carry troops to the East Indies, whose wretched condition was not discovered until she was in the main ocean, and was obliged to make for Plymouth for repairs.

I.3 For minute description of this hospital, see Dupin.

I.4 [This manuscript is perhaps one of the most curious specimens of calligraphy extant. Without the aid of a microscope it is almost impossible to discover that it is not a printed work, so extremely uniform and accurate is every letter. We believe it was originally prepared for the celebrated Dr. Richard Meade of London.] —Trans.

I.5 [This “lady” is now one of the editors of a newspaper, published in the western country, devoted to the especial debasement of the human race. She has kindly undertaken to enlighten the Americans by endeavouring to convince them that religion is a cheat, chastity a dream, and all who adhere to the pure precept of the gospel of our Saviour, fools!] —Trans.

I.6 The expenses of public instruction, with the exception of Harvard University, are defrayed by means of a school tax, granted by the representatives of the state of Massachusetts, to which every inhabitant of the state is obliged to contribute. This praiseworthy arrangement exists also in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. In the last state, moreover, those parents who neglect to keep their children at school, are fined five dollars for every absent child, which sum goes into the school treasury.

I.7 [Most probably to evade a law against “nine-pins.”] —Trans.

I.8 [The harvest having occurred in July.] —Trans.

I.9 [Recently deceased.] —Trans.

I.10 [Since, unfortunately for his country, deceased.] —Trans.

I.11 [It was designed and executed in Paris.] —Trans.

I.12 [Improved by having a number of Shark’s teeth placed in its mouth and throat.] —Trans.

I.13 [This ornament of human nature, died in the year 1827.] —Trans.

I.14 Commodore of the navy-yard.

I.15 [This unwarrantable and exasperating usurpation of extending CHAINS across the public highways is not attempted by all religious sects. Through the good sense of congregations it has been entirely relinquished in some of our cities. That it is productive of more dislike to churches and churchmen than of any other result, is a truth which will one day be profoundly felt.] —Trans.

I.16 [Blacks are shipped as seamen in the navy of the United States, where they stand on the same level with white seamen.] —Trans.

I.17 [The duke, it will be recollected, was rather above six feet in height.] —Trans.

I.18 Here is one of the bills.

Sir,

The enclosed Federal Republican Ticket, is earnestly recommended to you for your support, This Day. Our opponents are active—Danger threatens—Every vote is important—One may be decisive. Be therefore on the alert—vote early for your own convenience, and the public good. Bring your friends to the poll, and all will be well. The improvement of the city is carefully regarded—good order and tranquillity abounds—general prosperity is every where apparent. Then secure by your vote This Day, a continuance of the present happy state of things.

Our mayor is independent, faithful, and vigilant:—Who will be mayor if we fail!!! Think on this and hesitate no longer, but vote the whole of the enclosed ticket.

(Naturalized citizens will please to take their certificates with them.)

Tuesday, October 11th, 1825.

I.19 [This surprise originated from the almost universal mistake of considering the elbow of animals as a knee. The anterior extremities of animals are in all respects analogous to those of the superior extremities of man; hence the second joint from the shoulder blade uniformly bends backward like the human elbow. It is not longer ago than the year 1810, that the present Sir Everard Home, whose pretensions as a comparative anatomist are well known, almost quarrelled with Mr. Peale, in presence of Sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Heavisides, for insisting upon the similarity of the anterior limbs of animals to the human arm!] —Trans.

I.20 [The Vandalia, recently launched.] —Trans.

I.21 [“Thou,” in German, is only used in addressing individuals of the lowest degree.] —Trans.

I.22 This took place on the banks of the Delaware, in Kensington, near Philadelphia. The elm tree was struck by lightning, a few years ago and destroyed.

I.23 [Both sides of this question are warmly and ably defended by philanthropists of high character and unquestionable benevolence. The reader will find in the late correspondence between Roscoe and Mr. Roberts Vaux, of Philadelphia, the arguments urged for and against the system.] —Trans.

I.24 [Perhaps, had his highness known that this picture was long exhibited and admired in London by amateurs and artists, who certainly are somewhat accustomed to seeing good pictures, he would not have pronounced so decidedly from a very cursory examination. There is nothing, however, which the Duke of Saxe-Weimar says concerning the fine arts, in these travels, to entitle his opinion on paintings to any authority.] —Trans.

I.25 [The library of the American Philosophical Society is one of the most valuable collections in the United States, and is richer in the Transactions of other learned societies than any in our country. The Duke states in the original that books are not lent from this library, which is so erroneous that we have not repeated it in the translation. Members of the society enjoy a free use of the books, and literary men properly recommended are always able to obtain advantageous access to the library.] —Trans.

I.26 [Recently deceased.] —Trans.

I.27 [Since deceased.] —Trans.

I.28 [This is the only perfect lower jaw of the mastodon ever found, and the lover of Natural History must regret the extreme carelessness of the proprietor or superintendent of the Baltimore Museum, which has allowed so valuable a specimen to be mutilated. The London Medical Society was once in treaty for this jaw bone, at the price of three hundred guineas.] —Trans.

I.29 The Duke of Leinster’s Palace served as the model for this building; that, however, is one story higher.

I.30 [Since deceased. His place is supplied by Dr. Thomas P. Jones, of Philadelphia.] —Trans.

I.31 Since dead.

I.32 [Since dead.] —Trans.

I.33 He had commanded the militia when Governor of Virginia.

I.34 [“Let it never be forgotten that a part of the quarrel of the Americans with the government of Great Britain, arose from the determination of the former not to tolerate the farther importation of slaves; an importation absolutely forced on them by England, in consideration of the vested rights of the Royal African Company!!! With an admirable grace does England upbraid America with tolerating slavery,—a curse by her inflicted on her colonies.”—London Literary Chronicle, June 7th, 1828.] —Trans.

I.35 She left an only son by her marriage with Rolf, who settled himself in America, and had two daughters. From these are descended the families of Randolph and Robinson, and from these the family of Claiborne, consequently the two eldest children of Mrs. Grymes, Charles and Sophrone are descendants of the unfortunate Indian princess. In the two families, Randolph and Robinson, the eldest son is named Powhattan, and the eldest daughter Pocahontas. At New Orleans I became acquainted with a member of the Robinson family who had formerly been governor of Louisiana.

I.36 Because they would be obliged to bring it from the northern states at a great expense.