The various social appliances in America are highly characteristic of the energy, enterprise, and go-a-head nature of her people. First among these is her wonderful steamboat system of conveyance ; her river, lake, and sea-going vessels are huge floating hotels in which all the comforts, conveniences, and luxuries of civilized life are at the command of all who can afford to pay for them. One of the peculiar features of travelling in America is the almost entire absence of those social distinctions which everywhere form class barriers among the denizens of the old feudal world. Aboard of these boats the educated gentleman and the civilized savage enjoy in common the same privileges, occupy the same saloon, and pace the deck together when it suits their taste or convenience. In them everybody is at home; men of all countries, states, and conditions mingle and move about without restraint. Music lends its charm to keep the limbs of the passengers in pleasant exercise, and gambling-tables enable the “smart” men to skin such members of the green family as may fall into their hands. As an illustration of the character of some of the gentlemen who make steamboats their home, take the following anecdote:—

Three gentlemen, to all appearance, travelling in a Mississippi steamer, had their attention arrested by a seedily dressed, but supposed to be rich, cattle-dealer who was returning to the West from New Orleans. The swells passed themselves off as men of business, and in order to pass the time invited the old man to a game at cards, at which they were innocently engaged.