The Revolution brought about a greater simplicity ' of manners ; the "coarse" element came in after- [ wards when the power of money " began to be felt. ] The Duke de la Rochefoucauld Liancourt, writing | about the social life of the Americans some time after the Revolution, remarks : " Luxury is very high there, especially at New York and Philadelphia, and makes a dangerous progress every year. . . . There are some persons who surpass their neighbors, already too far advanced, in luxury ; these injure the manners of the country. ..." He adds that luxury is much less prevalent in the country towns, but is continually increasing, and often out of proportion with wealih.
The same writer summarizes his views in the following two paragraphs -- the first is less a criticism than a correct explanation of the absence of an idle, highly refined society ; the second, a just homage paid the American people and a prophetic view of the future greatness of our country :
" An European coming into the new world, and bringing with him the need of the usage of the politer attentions of that which he has quitted ; he, above all, who brings with him the need of what we call in France the charms of society, which we know so well how to appreciate, of which we know how to participate, and which affords us so many moments of happiness, such a man will not find himself satisfied in America, and his recollections will be continually sprinkling his