NEW ENGLAND 



143 



and clouds of water-birds throng the bays along the coast. Details respecting these and other 

 animals will be found under the head of North America. 



13. Inhabitants. The early settlers of New England were almost entirely of English descent, 

 and in language, manners, customs, and many characteristics, their descendants are English still. 

 On the continent of Europe, the natives of New England are invariably taken, from their appear- 

 ance, for Englishmen. Many of them have fair complexions, but others are as dark as natives of 

 the south of Europe, and, in the cast of countenance, there is great diversity. They are generally 

 robust, and capable of enduring great hardship and fatigue. 'J'hey are somewhat taller, and more 

 slender in form, both men and women, than the inhabitants of Great Britain. They are called 

 Yankees by the people of the other States, and the appellation which was at first used dispar- 

 agingly, has grown into a name of honor. It is probably derived from the Indian manner of 

 pronouncing the word English. Of foreigners settled in New England, the most in number 

 are Irish, who are day laborers, and English, who are principally mechanics or manufacturers. 

 There are few of any race but the white. The inconsiderable number of blacks and mulat- 

 toes, are not distinguished for industry or discretion, though there are not wanting among them, 

 expert mechanics, and good and orderly citizens. 



The original proprietors of the soil have dwindled into the remnants of a few tribes which 

 we shall severally notice. The Penobscots alone have preserved their language. The In- 

 dians generally are simple and inoffensive, but poor, debased, indolent, and prodigal. They 

 will part with all they possess for ardent spirits, and in some places they are so degraded, as to 

 live without the institution of marriage. They sometimes wander about to sell baskets and 

 brooms ; though not honest, they are seldom known to engage in any great crime, or offence 

 against the laws. They dress in the usual materials, which are made up somewhat after their 

 own tastes. In general, the tribes are much mixed with other races, particularly with the 

 negro. At Marshpee, they have the advantage of living secluded from the whites, in a region 

 abounding with fish and game. It is singular, that in the spot the earliest settled by Europeans, 

 the aborigines, and the beasts of the chase that have elsewhere been long extinct, should be 

 found at this day. Few of these Indians have ever been reclaimed, even by the advantages of 

 education, from their sylvan tastes and pursuits. 



14. Classes. There are by law no classes that have privileges above others ; all the orders 

 are voluntary, or such as society naturally divides itself into. The learned professions may be 

 ranked highest in point of influence, and after these, the chief divisions are merchants, manu- 

 facturers, mechanics, and the larger class of those who cultivate the soil. There are a few titles, 

 though no privileges of rank. The Governor is called His Excellency, the Lieutenant-Governor 

 is addressed as His Honor, and to thriving people generally, is tendered the title of Esquire. 



15. Dress. The people generally dress better than those of the same grade in other coun- 

 tries, and it is not common to see one in rags, or otherwise than comfortably clad. The fash- 

 ions are the European, and those from London are the most esteemed. The families of farmers 

 were formerly clothed in articles of their own making, though but few are so now. Hats are 

 generally worn, though caps of cloth or fur are not uncommon. In winter, fur is worn for 

 trimmings, and sometimes for dress. The dress of the females, even in remote villages, is neat 

 and showy. Straw hats are principally worn, and they are made in almost every town, and in 

 a variety of tasteful patterns. 



An English traveler gives this description of an assemblage at a court in Maine. " The 

 Supreme Court was to be opened in the morning, and I attended to hear the jury sworn in, 

 and the judge's charge. Both the grand and petit jury, in the appearance of which I could 

 discern no difference, seemed to be composed of respectable yeomanry, of about the same 

 rank as our farmers of =£300 to £500 per annum. They listened with great attention, while 

 the judge read a plain, sensible charge, much to the point. The aspect of the court in general, 

 pleased me, from the homely and suitable appearance of those of whom it was composed ; 

 they were attired in homespun clothes with large buttons, and long waists ; waistcoats with the 

 old triangular indenture, or pointed flaps, and hats with good broad respectable brims." 



16. Dicellings and Buildings. In general, the country houses in New England are not dis- 

 tinguished either for taste or convenience. They are often large, shapeless masses, built at 

 various times, and without order or symmetry. An artist would hardly find a farm house fit for 

 his portfolio. They are too often devoid of shape ; for as the early settlers found the forest 

 an enemy, their descendants seem to inherit the hostility, and will not let a tree remain. They 

 prefer an " open prospect " to an aareeable shade ; though better taste is dawning both in 



