102 MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 



as they properly denominate themselves. They 

 have many excellent rules laid down by which to 

 regulate their conduct in life, and with all their 

 peculiarities, their simplicity of manners com- 

 mands the respect of the thinking part of mankind. 

 They have, it is true, been characterised as 

 "English Jews" by some, and others have said 

 of them that they are not now a religious sect 

 like the Methodists "they are an aristocratic 

 civil community," a trading company, and a set 

 of respectable, industrious, economical, money- 

 getting disciplinarians, who profess no more 

 practical religion than the members of the church 

 of England. This may no doubt be the opinion 

 of some, but I could never form such a one of, at 

 least, the great majority of them, for they appear 

 to me to deserve a better character. I wish, 

 indeed, to see them leave off a part of their 

 Puritanical appearance, and some other stiffnesses 

 in their deportment. Were all men Quakers, I 

 think the world would have a very sombre appear- 

 ance, but this is balanced by their keeping their 

 word, by their detestation of war, and by their 

 constant endeavours to live in peace wdth all men. 

 I have often wondered at their rejecting music. 

 Music is an emanation from heaven ; it is perfectly 

 natural to man, to drive away gloom, and to solace 

 and to cheer him. The beautiful choristers of the 

 woods and the fields lead the way and set us the 

 example. 



The Unitarians are generally a well informed 

 and respectable description of men. They think 

 for themselves, and are not bewildered with 

 dogmas and creeds. But to swell these opinions 

 of mine with a further account of the peculiarities 



