SITUATION OF YOUNG MEN WITHOUT CAPITAL. 347 



the manners and customs of the people differ from those of 

 Britain. In the eastern parts the distinctions of classes in 

 society and elegancies of life approximate those of Britain, 

 and both gradually diminish on proceeding to the westward. 

 But in any part of America, where an emigrant may settle 

 himself, he must lay his account with a change in the social 

 intercourse of life. Some people are, however, incapable of 

 altering their manners and customs, and such characters may 

 live without society. 



In the eastern parts of America the luxuries and conve 

 niences of life are cheaper, and the necessaries dearer, than in 

 remote districts. The east should therefore be the abode 9f 

 the wealthy, refined, and luxurious ; the west, of the persons 

 who value the necessaries of life, and such as are not of fasti 

 dious habits. But in no part of the country will the fastidious 

 find themselves happy. 



The want of good assistants, servants, or helps, is ranked 

 amongst American privations. In the east assistance can at 

 all times be had, which is not the case in the west ; but in 

 most situations high wages and good treatment will obtain 

 assistance. Female servants are very scarce, and said not to 

 be good. To the wealthy and refined, who have resided in 

 Britain, this state of things at first appears insupportable. 

 They soon, however, learn to assist themselves in many 

 things, and find their happiness increased by doing so. 



The difficulty of obtaining servants arises from the ease 

 with which individuals obtain a livelihood, every industrious 

 and sober character having the means of purchasing a good 

 estate in the west with the accumulated savings of three years 

 service. However much certain classes may feel and regret 

 the want of servants, the extraordinary reward which they 

 receive ought in fairness to be accounted the country s great 

 est blessing. In no other part of the world is industry, sobri 

 ety, and worth, so richly rewarded. 



The influence which wealth has attained in Britain merits 

 the consideration of all young men without capital. Personal 

 exertion is often considered degrading, and visited with the 

 contumely of former associates. To lose rank in society must 

 be particularly galling to young men of spirit, and few in the 



