It has also been the peculiar lot of our country to be visited by the worst kind of English travellers

It has also been the peculiar lot of our country to be visited by the worst kind of English travellers

Washington Irving, a renowned American author, made a keen observation about the peculiar lot of his country being visited by the worst kind of English travelers. This statement reflects the historical context of the relationship between America and England during Irving's time, as well as the attitudes and behaviors of English travelers towards the United States.

During the early 19th century, when Irving was writing, America was still a relatively young nation that had recently gained independence from England. The relationship between the two countries was complex, with lingering tensions and rivalries. English travelers, who were often wealthy and privileged, viewed America with a mixture of curiosity and condescension. They saw the young nation as a land of untamed wilderness and uncivilized people, lacking the refinement and sophistication of European society.

Irving's observation about the worst kind of English travelers visiting America can be seen as a critique of their attitudes and behaviors. These travelers, often motivated by a sense of superiority and entitlement, tended to view America through a narrow and prejudiced lens. They focused on the perceived flaws and shortcomings of American society, while ignoring its unique qualities and strengths.