LIFE OF WILSON. 
CXlvii 
four letters of recommendation, and was taught to expect much 
of every thing there; but neither received one act of civility 
from those to whom I was recommended, one subscriber, nor 
one neto bird; though I delivered my letters, ransacked the 
woods repeatedly, and visited all the characters likely to sub- 
scribe. Science or literature has not one friend in this place. 
Every one is so intent on making money that they can talk of 
nothing else; and they absolutely devour their meals that they 
may return the sooner to their business. Their manners cor- 
respond with their features. 
“ Good country this for lazy fellows: they plant corn, turn 
their pigs into the woods, and in the autumn feed upon corn 
and pork — they lounge about the rest of the year. 
“ March 24. — Weather cool. Walked to Shelby ville to 
breakfast. Passed some miserable log-houses in the midst of 
rich fields. Called at a ’Squire C.’s, who was rolling logs. Sat 
down beside him, but was not invited in, though it was about 
noon. 
“ March 29.^Finding my baggage not likely to come on, I 
set out from Frankfort for Lexington. The woods swarm with 
pigs, squirrels and woodpeckers. Arrive exceedingly fatigued. 
“ Wherever you go you hear people talking of buying and 
selling land; no readers, all traders. The Yankees, wherever 
you find them, are all traders. Found one here, a house car- 
penter, who came from Massachusetts, and brought some bar- 
rels of apples down the river from Pennsylvania to this town, 
where he employs the negro women to hawk them about the 
streets, at thirty-seven and a half cents per dozen. 
Restless, speculating set of mortals here, full of lawsuits, 
no great readers, even of politics or newspapers. 
“ The sweet courtesies of life, the innumerable civilities in 
deeds and conversation, which cost one so little, are seldom 
found here. Every man you meet with has either some land 
to buy or sell, some law-suit, some coarse hemp or corn to dis- 
pose of; and if the conversation do not lead to any of these he 
will force it. Strangers here receive less civilities than in any 
