severe may appear to be the German law to prevent early marriages *, it is certain that the poor of these countries, as Mr. Spence has remarked (p. 126.), are an independent, spirited, comfortable, and happy class, compared with the poor of Britain and Ireland. The reasons we have given; and they will be obvious to any person who may visit these countries, and examine them with attention.
The extraordinary improvement made in the application of steam to railroad and common carriages (p. 684.); a reaping machine brought to a high degree of perfection (p. 600.); a great improvement in ploughs and cultivators, by which 30 per cent will be saved in the power of draft (p.651.); and a greatly improved water-closet, garden engine (p. 545.), and shower bath (p. 656.), have been recorded as of immediate value in domestic or rural economy, or as prophetic of great and general public benefits.
Bayswater, Nov. 25. 1829.
* See Hodgson's Travels in Germany. 8vo. 1815.