, 
154 the traveller, No. It. Dec. 5. 
formity of character every where, that admits of 
only slight fhades of variation; whereas the character 
of ‘the lower clafses of people is diversified to an as- 
tonifhing degree in different countries. Among 
courtiers every where a deep veil of difsimulation 
covers their real character. What is called politenefs 
gives to these persons a kind of polifh which is little 
diversified. Innkeepers, too, are nearly'the same. 
Their businefs is to make the most of the people who. 
come to their house ; and their character is so strong 
ly influenced by their profefsion, that they form a> 
set of people entirely different, in most cases, from 
those ef the country around them. If you really with 
to know the charaeter of the different people, and 
the effect of the government upon them, you must 
go into the country ; mix among the lower ranks of 
men; enter into their houses, and converse famili- 
arly with them ; for it-is there, and there alone, that 
real information can be ebtained respecting the ope- 
ration of laws upon the happinefs and prosperity of 
men, and the local habits that are influenced by the 
laws. | 
I myself travelled once through Switzerland, as 
other travellers do, in a post chaise; and was con- 
versant only in cities, in courts, and in inns. [I tra- 
velled along the great roads that lead through the 
Alps. I wondered at the height of the mountains, 
and the steepnefs of the precipices; I saw the 
waters tumble with impetuosity from rock to 
rock, and was conducted to view the cascades 
that every traveller is invited to visit; but I 
‘knew nearly as much of the situation of the people, 
and the real state of the country, as if I, had never 
