"
"This is a frightful picture of humanity," said Eve shuddering. "I do not
think that this charge can be justly brought against America."
"That is far from certain. America has many advantages to weaken the
temptation to crime, but she is very far from perfect. The people on some
of her coasts have been accused of resorting to the old English practice
of showing false lights, with a view to mislead vessels, and of committing
cruel depredations on the wrecked. In all things I believe there is a
disposition in man to make misfortune weigh heaviest on the unfortunate.
Even the coffin in which we inter a friend costs more than any other piece
of work of the same amount of labour and materials."
"This is a gloomy picture of humanity, to be drawn by one so young," Mr.
Effingham mildly rejoined.
"I think it true. All men do not exhibit their selfishness and ferocity
in the same way; but there are few who do not exhibit both. As for
America, Miss Effingham, she is fast getting vices peculiar to herself and
her system, and, I think, vices which bid fair to bring her down, ere
long, to the common level, although I do not go quite so far in describing
her demerits as some of the countrymen of Mademoiselle Viefville
have gone."
"And what may that have been?" asked the governess eagerly, in English.
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