148 



NEW ENGLAND. 



Another trait of character is the readiness with which the people of New England admit the 

 equality of all men with themselves, and the steadiness with which they deny, both in theory 

 and practice, that any are superior. It would raise a tempest in the breast even of a female 

 domestic, to ask for her mistress, nor would she be satisfied to be called a servant, or even a 

 domestic. Help is the word by which servants reconcile their pride with their interest or em- 

 ployment, as it denotes, that, though the assistants, they are the equals, of their employers. A 

 loreigner probably finds some ground for dissatisfaction on the score of domestics, for among 

 housewives it is a subject of universal complaint at home ; the best servants are English, who 

 have been more familiar with the distinction of classes. 



The people of New England are distinguished for their celebrations. They are Interlocked 

 with each other by innumerable societies and associations, and one man is a member of many. 

 These have their anniversaries, which, with the national and other holidays, make a great many 

 processions, public dinners, and addresses. It is also usual to ofi'er public dinners to those 

 who have done acceptable services in high public stations. 



A town meeting is perhaps the best place wherein to see the self-control of the people, when 

 highly excited on questions of general or local interest. Every town is within certain limits a 

 pure democracy, and its doings are attended with perfect decorum under the moderator, who is 

 chosen, as the word implies, to mollify any over-zealous excitement. If on these occasions 

 any citizen becomes turliulent, or abusive in language, the sense of the assembly is so strongly 

 expressed against him, that he is at once reduced to order. Generally speaking, there are no 

 mobs or riotous assemblies. The interference of a few constables, or the reading of the "riot 

 act " by a magistrate, is sufficient to disperse any tumultuous throng. A tumult at a town 

 meeting or election, is a thing unheard of among us. 



Some of the most peculiar manners and customs of New England are found in the island of 

 Nantucket and the neighboring part of the continent. Nantucket is a happy settlement ; not 

 that it has precious metals in its bosom, or fertility in its soil, but because the people are sim- 

 ple, innocent, and contented. The sea is their patrimony, and they gather its bounties in the 

 most distant parts. The whale fishery in New England was commenced by six persons in 

 Nantucket ; one watched on an eminence for the spouting of the whale, and when he discovered 

 t, all would pursue in a small boat, and they seldom failed to tow the leviathan ashore. Gains 

 extended the adventure, ships were fitted out, and the whale was chased from the temperate 

 regions to the Arctic seas, and followed to the remotest shores of the Pacific Ocean. Among 

 the people, there are none idle, and few destitute. The vices of commercial places are hardly 

 known, and it is admitted all over New England to be a great presumption in favor of a man's 

 honesty, that he comes from Nantucket. The Friends or Quakers give to the language a sim- 

 plicity of diction truly Doric ; and, though they take some liberties with the Commonwealth's 

 English, yet to sr"v:ik in a more classic manner, would be held to savor of afiectalion and pre- 

 tension, in a person brought up with them. The various relationships, and the kindly feelings, 

 have introduced the custom of calling elderly people uncle or aunt, and the younger, cousin. 

 Even a stranger soon falls into this habit. The people generally marry young, and few live in 

 celibacy. They are social to a great degree, and are eminently distinguished for their frequent 

 visitings to sup at each other's houses. They live more as though they made a large family, 

 than a small community. 



The following tribute to the New England character is from Captain Hall, whom no one can 

 accuse of a desire to overpraise what he saw in this country. " I had, however, many sharp 

 amicable discussions with my friends at Boston on the thousand and one topics that arose be- 

 tween us, but I must do them the justice to say, that I never met a more good-natured, or per- 

 haps I should say, good-tempered people ; for during the whole course of my journey, though 

 I never disguised my sentiments, even when opposed to the avowed favorite opinions of the 

 company, I never yet saw an American out of temper. I fear I cannot say half so much for 

 myself ; for I was often a good deal harassed by these national discussions, when the company 

 and I took our stations on the opposite poles of the question. But it is pleasant to have it in 

 ray power to say, that I cannot recall single instance in which any thing captious or personally 

 uncivil was ever said to me, though i repeated openly and in all companies, every thing I have 

 written in these volumes, and a great deal more than, upon cool reflection, I choose to say again." 



21. Amusements. In general, tlie amusements are of a thoughtful, rather than a gay char- 

 acter, and games of skill are preferred to those of chance. The character of the Puritans has 

 given Sonne lone to the amusements and holidays. Theatres are seldom even fashionably at- 



