Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXI, No. 5, November 1847

In this spirited essay the writer surveys America’s restless urge to copy European fashions, from clothing to customs, and laments how that habit clouds the nation’s own sense of taste. He contrasts the swagger of English expatriates—who cling to familiar habits wherever they roam—with the American tendency to chase the latest continental trends, often at the expense of practicality and simple pleasure. The piece sets the stage by painting a vivid picture of a society caught between a fierce desire for independence and an almost comical devotion to foreign style.

Turning to the warm months, the author invites listeners to imagine a more relaxed summer spent at “watering‑places,” where travel has become cheap and convenient thanks to railroads and steamboats. He describes the two main types of resorts—those promising healthful cures and those built for pure amusement—highlighting German spas as exemplary models of thoughtful design and comfort. The narrative teases the possibilities of a season spent in such locales, suggesting that an embrace of well‑chosen leisure could reshape American life.