The Yankey in London; Being the First Part of a Series of Letters Written by an American Youth, During Nine Months' Residence in the City of London .. (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1809 edition. Excerpt: ... LETTER XLIII. Prominent traits in the English character. My excellent Friend, YOU request a description of the city of London, a view of the administration of the British government and its fiscal concerns, with a character of the English people. An English traveller, by the aid of a rapid tour through a country, and a month's residence in its capital, would render a minute account, much to the satisfaction of his own countrymen, although he might provoke the contempt and derision of the nation he attempts to describe. For my own part, I confess, I have not the time, talents, or, what is of equal importance, access to those sources N of information which might enable me to give a correct statement, or form a respectable opinion. In lieu, therefore, of hasty descriptions, or jejune opinions, I send the latest edition of London and its environs, illustrated by engravings of its principal edifices. Two treatises on finance--one proving to demonstration, from authentic documents, that the fiscal concerns of the nation were never more flourishing; that, by the miraculous aid of the sinking fund, the national debt is rapidly diminishing, and after about the same lapse of years in which the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, this nation will possess that land of ministerial promise where taxes shall no more be levied: the other proves to equal demonstration, and from documents as authentic, that the people arc groaning indignantly under the burthens of fiscal oppression, and the nation on the verge of bankruptcy. That you may have a correct view of the administration of government, I also send you five ministerial and ten opposition pamphlets; three letters to a noble lord; two speeches on the state of the nation, intended to be...