observe, that by an ordinary carriage I mean a carriage open to all;
for in America there are no locomotive distinctions of 1st, 2d, and 3d
classes. I never saw expectation more on tiptoe. A rattle round the
corner was heard; then the noise of the wheels ceased, and then the
president--a tall, gentlemanly-looking, elderly man--was ascending the
steps of the State-House; and as soon as his gray locks were seen by
the immense multitude, such a shout arose as only Anglo-Saxon lungs
can raise and prolong. The president turned round on the landing of
the steps, took off his hat, bowed, and entered the hall. I have seen
many ceremonies, regal and imperial, which passed off very much like a
scene at a theatre; but I felt the sublime simplicity of this. There
is no road to distinction here but talent; and as the fine old man
stood on the steps bowing, with Mr Webster, Secretary of State, by his
side, they looked the very embodiment of intellect, and the manly,
overpowering shout of the crowd the recognition of it. The
multitudinous voices died away in the distance with a peculiar effect.
No firing of guns. While on this part of the subject, I may mention my
strong impression, that in no place is the government so much
respected as in America. The public press may ridicule and joke upon
certain acts of individuals; but whatever side is taken, there is
nothing that can bring the laws, or those who administer them, into
disrespect. This produces order to an extent unknown elsewhere. No one
seems to question the law or the commands of its officers excepting
Europeans, who bring their turbulent habits with them.

Leaving this imposing scene, I turned to the route of the procession,
which had been advertised to pass through certain streets. In some
degree to account for the masses of human beings that filled them, the
three railways had kept pouring people in for three days, and the
trains, immediately on arrival, turned back to fetch the thousands