Gazette Of The United States

NATIONAL MONITOR.-NO. IX.

"The traveller who o'er the country flies,
Few subjects with a just discernment spies;
Objects that pass so quick, confound the mind,
And no distinct ideas leave behind."

An ingenious writer in some of our public papers, hath observed, that to complete the education of those youth, who may be destined to public life in the Legislature of the Union, such an intimate acquaintance with the several States is necessary, as can be obtained only by a temporary residence in each—and from hence inferred the importance of making the tour of the continent.

The knowledge that is derived from study, however, systematic and theoretic, is often found inadequate—an acquaintance with the real state of facts furnishes irrestible arguments, when the most ingenious theories prove radically defective—hence we find that experience has the advantage of speculation; and an accurate idea of positive, existing circumstances, a great superiority in leading to the best decisions upon all occasions.

The tour of this continent is without doubt of as much consequence to the citizens of these States, as that of Europe ever was to the inhabitants of Great-Britain, and in many respects of much greater.

In Europe they travel to acquire knowledge of the habits, manners, laws, history, &c. of foreign countries.

Americans should travel to obtain just ideas of the various and diversified people who compose not a foreign nation, but one in whose fate their own is immediately involved.

Let it not be said, that variety, novelty, antiquity, and splendor are wanting to excite the attention, to amuse, to animate, and instruct the American traveller—America was always an object of delightful contemplation to the philosopher in every part of the globe—but since the adoption of the new constitution—She is raised to a most respectable grade in the scale of nations—and her progress to perfection opens a new field of speculation to the human mind. That information therefore which can be derived from travel only, is now become of infinite importance to the legislators, the statesmen and the patriots of our country.

C.

(The subject to be continued.)