206 TRAVELS THROUGH NORTH AMERICA * 
ions are charming; and the carelessness of 
their dresses, which consist of little more,, in 
common,, than a simple bodice and petticoat, 
makes them appear even still more engaging. 
The common people in this neighbourhood 
appeared to me to be of a more frank and 
open disposition, more inclined to hospita¬ 
lity, and to live more contentedly on what 
they possessed, than the people of the same 
class in any other part of the United States I 
passed through. From being able, however, 
to procure the necessaries of life upon very 
easy terms, they are rather of an indolent ha¬ 
bit, and inclined to dissipation. Intoxication 
is very prevalent, and it is scarcely possible to 
meet with a man who does not begin the day 
with taking one, two, or more drams, as soon 
as he rises. Brandy is the liquor which they 
principally use, and having the greatest abun¬ 
dance of peaches, they make it at a very 
trifling expence. There is hardly a house to 
be found with two rooms in it, but where the 
inhabitants have a still. The females do not 
fall into the habit of intoxication like the men, 
but in other respects they are equally dis¬ 
posed to pleasure, and their morals are in like 
manner relaxed. 
Along these mountains live several gentle¬ 
men of large landed property, who farm their 
own .estates, as in the lower parts of Virginia ^ 
