The political question discussed by "the Hon." authoress, we shall not meddle with further than to say, first, that her book contains not one new idea upon the subject; secondly, that her advocacy of a system which condemns a portion of her own sex to helpless, hopeless, brutal prostitution, reflects as little credit on her standard of what is lovely and of good report in woman, as does her book upon female English literature.
We quote the following specimens of Miss Murray's style:
"At the house of his sister I saw another work by the same artist: two children, the one as an angel leading the awakened soul of the other, with an inscription below; very pretty!"
Speaking of the cholera in Boston, and the practice of using hot vinegar there, as a disinfective, she says:
"I was told a carriage of this _fumigated_ liquid had been driven through the streets; there are deaths here every day and some at Newport, but _it_ is not believed to be contagious at present, only carrying off the profligate and the debilitated."
"Till my introduction to the Governor of New York I did not know that each State has a Governor. Governor Seymour lives at Albany. Some of those Governors are only elected for two years, _and_ this gentleman does credit to popular choice."
So much for the _Queen's_ English! Now for one or two specimens of her penetration. The first quotation we make will undoubtedly cause as much surprise to the very many benevolent associations in Boston (which are constantly deploring their inability to meet the voices of distress which cry, help us!), as it did to ourself:
"I never met a beggar in Boston, not even among the Irish, and ladies have told me that _they could not find a family on which to exercise their benevolent feelings_!"
Governor Seymour, Miss Murray's friend, will doubtless feel flattered by the following patronizing mention of him. And here we will say, that it would have been more politic in the Hon. Miss Amelia, when we consider England's late relations to Sebastopol, had she omitted to touch upon so ticklish a subject as British military discipline.
Speaking of Governor Seymour's review of the New York troops, on Evacuation Day, she says:
"Governor Seymour reviewed these troops in front of the City Hall with as much tranquillity of manner and simple dignity _as might have been evinced by one of the most experienced of OUR public men_!"