UNITE 1) STATES. 45

honest, and impartial men; and their opinions and decisions are usually upright and just.

The salaries of those Who administer the govern- ment, and preside in the courts, are generally thought disproportionate to their services and responsibility. In many cases they appear to be so, even to mean- ness; but they seem, however, to do very well with the allowances granted them ; and. the competition for public appointments is unequalled in any other country.

The president is far from being respectably pro- vided for. His salary is only 25,000 dollars, about LAOOO sterling. He is expected out of this to give dinners twice a-Week to the members of Congress, eminent foreigners, all public officers, and also to open a building, called the “ Whitehouse,” once a- fortnight, to receive all classes, and often to associate with the lowest of the pro/imam mzlgus.

The vice-president receives 5000 dollars, about L. 1000. The chief- justice, about L.4000. Inferior judges, about L.1000. Other officers at the heads of departments, about L.1100. Ministers of foreign courts, about L.800 ; which last is certainly too little. How can they be properly respected, When compelled to live so meanly ? ’The Americans, however, pay the officers of their navy much better than our govern- ment does.

The general revenue of the United States is about 20,000,000 dollars, about L.4,000,000. This amount is chiefly derived from the customs, and very little from the sale of lands, as has been supposed; the