48 UNITED STATES.

with religious matters. There is, however, no want of religion, of churches, or of places of worship; although too great a portion of the preachers are raving enthusiasts, the heroes of camp-meetings, and the most prolific cause of nervous complaints among delicate women, whom they frighten into hysteria, by their unmerciful and unreasonable extravagances.

Unitarianism is the most prevailing denomination of Christians; then follow the Congregationalists, Who have the service of the Church of England, cleared of the parts obnoxious to Puritans; Quakers, Catholics, Independents, Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, &c., indeed all Christian sects that we know of, are met with in the United States. Govern- ment recognise none; nor are any liable to political disabilities on the score of religion.

There is more general knowledge diffused among the people of the United States, than in any kingdom in Europe. Yet there is not among them the same proportion of men celebrated in literature and science, as in many other countries. The Americans are a young, active, and enterprising people. General knowledge, and a practical education, are absolutely necessary for them, in order to follow their adven- turous pursuits; but they seldom have leisure to apply themselves to the tedious labours of literature and science. A few, however, have entered the avenues of literature, and the labyrinths of science and art, of whom America may most justly boast.

Franklin, J efi‘erson, West, Silliman, Irving, Cooper, Leslie, Martin, Turnbull, and some others, must

(i