Our table was loaded with luxuries and splendidly furnished. The arrangements however differed very little from those which are usual at the tables of people of fortune in America. There was one custom which was wholly new to me. The gentlemen challenged each other to drink ale, just as is done, every where else, with wine, at the same time wishing health; this was merely introductory to the drinking of wine.*

The beef was not superior to the best in our markets; the apples were hard and insipid, having somewhat the taste of raw turnips, and there was no article better than the correspondent productions of America, except the ale.

The manners of the gentlemen were substantially the same with those of similar American circles. Most of the subjects of conversation were so personal and local, that a stranger could not be supposed to be informed concerning them, and could scarcely speak upon them without indelicacy, had he chanced to possess sufficient information. The only topics which could be considered as at all general, were the alleged peculation of Lord Melville, and the best method of ripening wine.

To a country needing, at this crisis, all its resources for the defence of its liberties, it is not strange that the former topic should appear highly important.

If I may judge from the frequency and earnestness with which I hear this topic mentioned, the charges against Lord Melville excite a high degree of interest at the present moment. One gentleman, in particular, I have heard declaim on this subject with such overwhelm

* I never observed this practice at any other place in England, and therefore presume it was a local custom.

**

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ing vehemence, and with such an appearance of the deepest concern for the safety of the public resources, and the condign punishment of the deadly sin of peculation, that I was on the point of setting him down for a patriot of the first order, but, unfortunately I soon learned that he was at that time a candidate for a seat in parliament.

As to the ripening of wine, this is a subject of universal interest among convivial men, and forms a standing topic of discussion, on both sides of the Atlantic, in those circles where abundant drinking gives brilliancy to wit, and ardor to patriotism; and while the faculties are thus sharpened, it is no doubt very natural to descant on the properties of this great cheerer of the heart of man. The bottle went round rapidly, and continued its circuit for several hours. Port, Claret, and Madeira, were the wines; the two latter are very expensive in this country, and Port costs nearly as much in England as Madeira does with us. The Madeira is not so good as that which has been ripened in our warmer climates, but the Port is better, and is the only wine generally used in GreatBritain. Their intimate connection with Portugal gives it to them in greater purity than we commonly obtain it, for it is not difficult to imitate the astringent taste and purple colour of this wine, so that it is adulterated and even manufactured with considerable facility. Before dismissing this dinner, I ought to observe that the reserve and coldness which marked the manners of most of the gentlemen were strongly contrasted with the polite and attentive hospitality of our host, (a Scotchman,) who suffered no one of his guests to remain unnoticed. The hour of dinner was five o'clock, and I took French leave at half past nine.

May 10.-I had the honour of an introduction to Mr. Roscoe on my first arrival in Liverpool, and his son had the goodness to conduct me to-day to Allerton-Hall, his father's seat, five or six miles from town. On our way we visited the Botanical Garden, an institution which Mr. Roscoe and Dr. Currie set on foot about three years since. Under their patronage it has flourished rapidly, and is now a fine establishment. It occupies five statute acres; the ground appears to be well adapted to the purpose, there is a pond and a portion of marshy land in the middle of the garden for such plants as require a wet soil or constant immersion; the hot-houses are extensive and handsome, and exhibit a great variety of exotics, while the whole garden is a place of great beauty.

Our road to Allerton-Hall was through a most delightful country. The river Mersey was on our right, and the fields sloped with gentle declivity to its banks. The county of Cheshire was extensively in view over the river, and beyond that, Wales with its rude mountains.

Allerton-Hall is a stone building which has an air of grandeur; it stands at a considerable distance from the road, in the midst of beautiful grounds, and appears every way fitted to be the residence of its present distinguished possessor. Mr. Roscoe was, (as I am informed,) bred to the bar, but being disgusted with the profession, he turned his attention to literature. He is now connected in business with an extensive banking-house in Liverpool, and retired to this place that he might have more leisure for indulging in his favourite pursuits. His house is filled with statues, busts, and pictures, prin

cipally Italian, and in his study, he is surrounded by the figures of the men, who are the subjects of his History of Lorenzo, and of Leo X. Of the latter work, not yet given to the world, he shewed me a copy, and pointed out the beauty of the plates executed from designs on wood.

Mr. Roscoe's person is tall, his figure is graceful, his countenance intelligent, his expression mild, and his features what would generally be called handsome. He is now in middle life, and is possessed of a private character of distinguished excellence. His manners are those of a polished gentleman. I had seen him in various situations before I was at his house, and perhaps it is not improper to mention as an instance of his peculiar politeness, that, when he called at the Liverpool Arms and introduced himself, which he did with the greatest ease, he invited some of my fellow passengers to dine, although they had no introduction to him, and no other connection with me, than the accidental one of having been on board the same ship.

From Mr. R. I received every attention which was consistent with the obligations of politeness to a considerable number of gentlemen assembled at his table. Some of them were men of literature, and one in particular was said to be engaged in a biographical work upon one of the distinguished literary men of the period of Lorenzo, for, Mr. Roscoe has diffused around him a general taste for Italian literature. In such a circle it was unpleasant to find literature excluded in favour of those personal and local topics, which, as only neighbours and friends can understand, such only should participate. I was particularly solicitous to hear Mr. R. speak upon his favourite subject,

the revival of arts and literature in Italy, but the conversation took a turn which precluded every thing of this nature, till a call to the drawing room cut it short and left Mr. Roscoe at liberty, for a few minutes, to satisfy my curiosity. At an early hour in the evening I returned to Liverpool.

If you enquire as to the dress and manners of gentlemen at these dinners, and as to the arrangements of the table, I answer, that they are much the same as prevail in our cities among opulent people. Three tined silver forks, besides the fork which accompanies the knifea wine glass inverted in a handsome glass vessel containing water to keep the wine glass cool, each guest being furnished with this accommodation, and elegantly figured and coloured napkins, one being folded by every plate: these conveniences are now to be seen on both sides of the water.

The English servants are extremely assiduous and adroit; they are generally handsome well dressed men, and they ply the guest with such watchful attention, that, if for any reason he lays down his knife and fork, his plate is instantly caught away, and a clean one substituted. The manners of the gentlemen I think are marked by less suavity, than with us, and there is less gentleness in the tones of voice and in the turn of deportment. As to dress perhaps they are more punctilious. At Mr. Ewart's every gentleman was in full dress with shoes and silk hose, and thinking this punctiliousness necessary, I went full dressed, and in a carriage, to Mr. Roscoe's, but there I met some gentlemen who had come on horseback, and wore boots bespattered with mud. A liberty seemed in this instance to be al