In 1849 there was published a study of the United States, more careful and exact than any previous to Bryce's great work, and lauding American political institutions.

This was Mackay's "Western World," and that there was a public eager for such estimate is evidenced by the fact that the book went through four British editions in 1850[24].

At the end of the decade, then, there appeared once more a vigorous champion of the cause of British democracy, comparing the results of "government by the wise" with alleged mob rule.

Mackay wrote: "Society in America started from the point to which society in Europe is only yet finding.

The equality of men is, to this moment, its corner-stone ...