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Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

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BECOMING AMERICA<br />

REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE<br />

DIMPLE<br />

Believe me, Colonel, you have an immense pleasure <strong>to</strong> come; and when you<br />

shall have seen the brilliant exhibitions <strong>of</strong> Europe, you will learn <strong>to</strong> despise the<br />

amusements <strong>of</strong> this country as much as I do.<br />

MANLY<br />

Therefore I do not wish <strong>to</strong> see them; for I can never esteem that knowledge valuable<br />

which tends <strong>to</strong> give me a distaste for my native country.<br />

DIMPLE<br />

Well, Colonel, though you have not travelled, you have read.<br />

MANLY<br />

I have, a little; and by it have discovered that there is a laudable partiality which<br />

ignorant, untravelled men entertain for everything that belongs <strong>to</strong> their native<br />

country. I call it laudable; it injures no one; adds <strong>to</strong> their own happiness; and,<br />

when extended, becomes the noble principle <strong>of</strong> patriotism. Travelled gentlemen<br />

rise superior, in their own opinion, <strong>to</strong> this; but if the contempt which they contract<br />

for their country is the most valuable acquisition <strong>of</strong> their travels, I am far <strong>from</strong><br />

thinking that their time and money are well spent.<br />

What noble sentiments!<br />

MARIA<br />

CHARLOTTE<br />

Let my brother set out where he will in the elds <strong>of</strong> conversation, he is sure <strong>to</strong> end<br />

his <strong>to</strong>ur in the temple <strong>of</strong> gravity.<br />

MANLY<br />

Forgive me, my sister. I love my country; it has its foibles undoubtedly;—some<br />

foreigners will with pleasure remark them—but such remarks fall very ungracefully<br />

<strong>from</strong> the lips <strong>of</strong> her citizens.<br />

DIMPLE<br />

You are perfectly in the right, Colonel—<strong>America</strong> has her faults.<br />

MANLY<br />

Yes, Sir; and we, her children, should blush for them in private, and endeavour, as<br />

individuals, <strong>to</strong> reform them. But, if our country has its errors in common with other<br />

countries, I am proud <strong>to</strong> say <strong>America</strong>—I mean the United States—has displayed<br />

virtues and achievements which modern nations may admire, but <strong>of</strong> which they<br />

have seldom set us the example.<br />

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