Travels Through North America 



each other again; unless, which is an accident that 

 seldom happens, the forsaken fair-one prove preg- 

 nant, and then the man is obliged to marry her, under 

 pain of excommunication.* 



The province of Massachusetts Bay has been for 

 some years past, I believe, rather on the decline. 

 Its inhabitants have lost several branches of trade, 

 which they are not likely to recover again. They 

 formerly supplied, not only Connecticut, but other 

 parts of the continent, with dry goods, and received 

 specie in return: but since the introduction of paper 

 currency they have been deprived of great part of 

 this commerce. Their ship trade is considerably 

 decreased, owing to their not having been so careful 

 in the construction of vessels as formerly: their 



* A gentleman some time ago travelling upon the frontiers of 

 Virginia, where there are few settlements, was obliged to take up 

 his quarters one evening at a miserable plantation; where, ex- 

 clusive of a negro or two, the family consisted of a man and his 

 wife, and one daughter about sixteen years of age. Being fatigued, 

 he presently desired them to shew him where he was to sleep; 

 accordingly they pointed to a bed in a corner of the room where 

 they were sitting. The gentleman was a little embarrassed but, 

 being excessively weary, he retired, half undressed himself, and 

 got into bed. After some time the old gentlewoman came to bed 

 to him, after her the old gentleman, and last of all the young lady. 

 This, in a country excluded from all civilized society, could only 

 proceed from simplicity and innocence: and indeed it is a general 

 and true observation that forms and observances become necessary 

 and are attended to, in proportion as manners become corrupt, 

 and it is found expedient to guard against vice, and that design 

 and duplicity of character, which, from the nature of things, will 

 ever prevail in large and cultivated societies. 



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