Civilized America

Laudatory and disparaging, detailed and usefully general, of political centers and societal margins, these volumes vividly illustrate antebellum America.

Thomas Colley Grattan (Author)

9781108033237, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 22 September 2011

480 pages, 2 maps
21.6 x 14 x 2.7 cm, 0.61 kg

Published in 1859, Thomas Colley Grattan's work illustrates antebellum America through anecdote and reflection. Dublin-born Grattan (1791/2–1864) became a journalist and novelist after abandoning a potential military career in favour of settled life in France. In Paris Grattan contributed to literary magazines and became acquainted with various writers, including Washington Irving, to whom he dedicated his celebrated Highways and Byways (1823). After living in the Netherlands and Belgium, Grattan was made - with the support of King Leopold - British Consul in Boston, where he began these two volumes. Determined to tell 'the truth of the New World' so that Europe may understand it, Grattan asks serious questions about American life. Volume 1 describes his first impressions of America, life in New England, and issues ranging from political parties to domestic servants. Anyone interested in nineteenth-century America will find this work relevant and fascinating.

Introduction
1. The voyage
2. First impressions
3. Boston: Nahant
4. Nahant
5. National characteristics
6. National characteristics continued
7. The social system in New England
8. Edward Everett
9. My first visit to Washington
10. Washington
11. John Caldwell Calhoun
12. American aristocracy
13. Political ultras
14. Daniel Webster
15. Servants
16. The law and its practice
17. The Federal Union
18. Political parties
19. Party designs: presidential election
20. Inauguration of President Harrison
21. The north-eastern boundary question
22. The north-eastern boundary question continued
23. The north-eastern boundary question continued
Appendix.

Subject Areas: History of the Americas [HBJK]