C 194 ] 1^ 



CHAP. XI. 



HANKERS, CUSTOMS, AND CHARACTER OP THE PEOPLE. 



342. All these are, s:enerally speaking, the same as 

 those of the people of England. The French call this 

 people Les- Anglo Americains ; and, indeed, what are 

 they else 1 Of the manners and customs somewhat 

 peculiar to America 1 have said so much, here and 

 there, in former Chapters, that 1 can hardly say any 

 thing new here upon these matters. But, as society is 

 naturally a great thing with a gentleman, who thinks of 

 coming hither with his wife and children, 1 will endea- 

 vour to describe the society that he will find here. To 

 give general descriptions is not so satisfactory as it is to 

 deal a little in particular instances; to tell of what one 

 has seen and experienced. This is what I shall do; 

 and, in this Chapter I wish to be regarded as addressing 

 myself to a most worthy and public-spirited gentleman 

 of moderate fortune in Lancashire, who, with a large 

 family, now balances whether he shall come, or stay. 



343. Now, then, my dear Sir, this people contains 

 very few persons verj' much raised in men's estimation, 

 above the general mass ; for, though there are some 

 men of immense fortunes, their wealth does very little 

 indeed in the way of purchasing even the outward signs 

 of respect ; and, as to adulation, it is not to be pur- 

 chased with love or money. Men, be they what they 

 may, are generally called by their tico names, without 

 any thing prefixed or added. I am one of the greatest 

 men in this country at present ; for people in gene- 

 ral call me " Cohbett," though the QuaKers provok- 

 ingly persevere in piitting the William before it, and 

 my old friends in Pennsylvania, use even the word 

 Billy, which, in the very sound of the letters, is an an- 

 tidote to every thing like thirst for distinction. 



344. Fielding, in one of his roioances, observes, that 



