Rural Economy in New England 391 



Other Causes of Emigration. 



Combined with the economic motive, the demand for new soil, were undoubtedly 

 others more psychological in nature. Some men were unable to fit into the rigid, 

 Puritanical social and ecclesiastical systems. They emigrated in order to breathe 

 the freer, more unconventional atmosphere of the pioneer communities. Others 

 were simply infected by the contagious spirit; their friends had gone or were go- 

 ing; they too wanted to see the new country and to live its new life. D wight takes 

 account of these and other motives in the following passage from his Travels: 

 "In the formation of colonies, those, who are first inclined to emigrate, are usually 

 such as have met with difficulties at home. These are commonly joined by per- 

 sons, who, having large families and small farms, are induced, for the sake of 

 settling their children comfortably, to seek for new and cheaper lands. To both 

 are always added the discontented, the enterprising, the ambitious, and the 

 covetous. Many of the first, and some of all these classes, are found in every 

 new American country, within ten years after its settlement has commenced. 

 From this period, kindred, friendship, and former neighbourhood, prompt others 

 to follow them. Others, still, are allured by the prospect of gain, presented in 

 every new country to the sagacious, from the purchase and sale of new lands; 

 while not a small number are influenced by the brilliant stories, which every- 

 where are told concerning most tracts during the early progress of their settle- 

 ment."' 



* Travels, II. 439. In the succeeding pages, 439-443, one may read a de- 

 scription of the successive stages in the settlement of new land, from pioneer- 

 ing to ultimate cultivation in well-settled communities, which has attained the 

 rank of a classic in economic history. 



