CHOOSING AMERICA OR BRITAIN. 349 



however, from my representations of American farming, en 

 tertain too sanguine hopes of success. Farming, in most 

 parts of the world, ranks low in the scale of professional 

 remuneration ; and without virtue, persevering industry, and 

 sobriety of character, people will not likely either become 

 wealthy or happy. In nine cases out of ten, a man s success 

 in life depends on his own exertions. America presents a 

 fertile and extensive field, and whoever does not reap an 

 abundant harvest, will, in all probability, find the cause of 

 failure in his own character. I cannot hold out an immediate 

 or ultimate prospect of great wealth, as the low price of pro 

 duce and high labour renders this improbable. Every person 

 may, however, obtain all the necessaries and most of the true 

 comforts of life in the fullest abundance, unharassed by the 

 cares of the present, or apprehensions of the future. The 

 pleasures of society are not likely to be so much enjoyed in 

 America as in Britain ; but, on the other hand, its mortifica 

 tions are escaped. In every part of the world, man ought 

 to look to his family and himself, and not to society, for true 

 happiness. If abundance of the necessaries of life do not 

 ensure society in America, the want of abundance is almost 

 sure to lose society in Britain. 



