SHAKERS AND RELIGIOUS MUMMERS 247 



occurred ; but I have not seen fit to alter my notes, 

 because I have a clear recollection of the Shakers 

 describing their estate as being in Massachusetts ; and 

 they were punningly described, by people living near, 

 as being " Mercy-choose-sites " ; an allusion to their 

 general shrewdness in choosing the best of everything, 

 and a play on the name of the State. 



