Synopses & Reviews
Published in 1859, Thomas Colley Grattan's work illustrates antebellum America through anecdote and reflection. Dublin-born Grattan (1791/2-1864) became a journalist and novelist after abandoning a potential military career in favour of settled life in France. In Paris Grattan contributed to literary magazines and became acquainted with various writers, including Washington Irving, to whom he dedicated his celebrated Highways and Byways (1823). After living in the Netherlands and Belgium, Grattan was made - with the support of King Leopold - British Consul in Boston, where he began these two volumes. Determined to tell 'the truth of the New World' so that Europe may understand it, Grattan asks serious questions about American life. Volume 1 describes his first impressions of the United States and of life in New England. Volume 2 examines the treatment of the Irish, women, and Native Americans, and it criticizes the South's slave-based economy and society.
Synopsis
Laudatory and disparaging, detailed and usefully general, of political centers and societal margins, these volumes vividly illustrate antebellum America.
Synopsis
Laudatory and disparaging, detailed and generalizing, describing political centers and societal margins, Grattan's 1859 work vividly illustrates nineteenth-century America. Sharing eyewitness accounts and moral reflections, Volume 1 describes his first impressions of the United States and of life in New England. Volume 2 examines racism and slavery.
Table of Contents
Volume 1: Introduction; 1. The voyage; 2. First impressions; 3. Boston: Nahant; 4. Nahant; 5. National characteristics; 6. National characteristics continued; 7. The social system in New England; 8. Edward Everett; 9. My first visit to Washington; 10. Washington; 11. John Caldwell Calhoun; 12. American aristocracy; 13. Political ultras; 14. Daniel Webster; 15. Servants; 16. The law and its practice; 17. The Federal Union; 18. Political parties; 19. Party designs: presidential election; 20. Inauguration of President Harrison; 21. The north-eastern boundary question; 22. The north-eastern boundary question continued; 23. The north-eastern boundary question continued; Appendix. Volume 2: 1. The Irish in America; 2. The women of America; 3. Comparison and contrasts between England and America; 4. The fine arts in America; 5. Extremes of savage and civilized life. The Indian tribes; 6. European travellers and visitors; 7. The Southern States; 8. The Southern States continued; 9. The annexation of Texas; 10. Annexation of Texas continued; 11. Are the Americans a happy people?; 12. Religious sects; 13. Speculative philosophy; 14. Education. Literature. The drama; 15. Henry Clay; 16. Slavery; 17. Miscellaneous subjects; 18. Miscellaneous subjects continued; Appendix.