British outlook on America, 1800-1850

The British Outlook on America offers an interesting field for study and one in which there is a vast amount of material both in books and periodicals. This subject has been treated in such works as The English Traveller in America 1785-1835 (1922) by Jane Louise Mesiok and American Social History as Recorded by British Travellers (1934) by Allan Nevins. In this study, however, the material for most of the observations and conclusions is taken from the leading English periodicals, while the two books mentioned are based more upon the books of travel. The period of 1800 to 1850 was selected for several reasons. This first half of the nineteenth century brought out many antagonistic writings by the English and sharp retorts from the Americans. Also, the great party periodicals originated during the first decades of this century. These magazines probably influenced the reading public and molded the opinions of the British more than the books of travel. The study has been ended in 1850 largely because after that date the slavery issue overshadowed all others, and the British tended to lose interest in other aspects of American life.--Preface.