336 TRAVELS IN THE UNITED STATES: 
dissipation. The following letter, supposed to 
come from a farmer,, though somewhat ludi¬ 
crous., does not give an inaccurate description 
of one of these young speculators, and of what 
is going on in this neighbourhood. It appeared 
in a newspaper published at Wilkesbarre, on 
the Susquehannab, and I give it to your ver¬ 
batim, because, being written by an Ame¬ 
rican, it will perhaps carry more weight with 
it than anything! could say on the same sub¬ 
ject. 
To the Printers of the Wilkesbarre Gazette. 
Gentlemen. 
" It is painful to reflect, that speculation has 
raged to such a degree of late, that honest 
‘ c industry, and all the humble virtues that 
cc walk in her train, are discouraged and ren- 
iC dered unfashionable. 
" It is to be lamented too, that dissipation 
tc is sooner introduced in new settlements than 
industry and economy. 
“ I have been led to these reflections by 
conversing with my son, who has just re- 
fC turned from the Lakes or Genesee, though 
sc he has neither been to the one or the other; 
—in short, he has been to Bath, the ce- 
€f lebrated Bath, and has returned both a spe- 
culator and a gentleman; having spent his 
“ money, swopped away my horse, caught the 
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