themselves, and that will make it easy to us. Even I sometimes take my axe or my mattock, and work, as long as I can, along with them. Nobody here thinks himself above bodily labour of any kind, and they dress accordingly.

In general, the lower class of people are very idle, as well as proud, and live miserably, many of them as wretchedly, to appearance, as the poor are said to do in Ireland; but there is hardly any such thing as thieving, drunkenness, or open profaneness, though there is little religion. It is universally observed, that the more we approach the frontiers, the more uncivilized the people are, till they are little better, many really worse, than the native Indians, having all their bad qualities, without their good ones. Such was this place a few years ago. During the late war it was in the possession of the Indians, though now there are none within 200 miles of us. But as places get better peopled, those lawless people who had the first possession leave them, and get nearer to the frontiers, where they can live in a manner more agreeably to their disposition and habits. You have no such people in England or Europe. They will live in the woods without houses, like wild beasts, the greatest part of the year; and even in the winter they want little more provision of any kind than their cattle.*

"He who would wish to see America in its proper light, and have a true idea of its feeble beginnings and barbarous rudiments, must visit our extended line of frontiers, where the last settlers dwell. There, men appear to be no better than carnivorous animals of a superior rank, living on the flesh of wild animals. Remote from the power of example and check of shame, many families exhibit the most hideous parts of our society. They are a kind of forlorn hope, preceding, by ten or twelve years, the most respectable army of veterans which come after them.

"In that space prosperity will polish some, vice and the law will drive off the rest, who uniting again with others like themselves, will recede still farther, making room for more industrious people, who will finish their improvements, convert the log-house into a convenient habitation, and change in a few years that hitherto barbarous country into a fine, fertile, well-regulated district." See "Letters from an American Farmer," (1782,) pp. 56, 57.

The following anticipations of a favourable progress, and its extending influence, perhaps even till componitur orbis ad exemplum, may well accord with the history of the intervening century, and the present political aspect

I lately wrote to Mr. Belsham about the college here, and my prospects in that and other respects. They continue the same. I work every day at my Church History. I have also continued my Memoirs of myself to the present time. All things considered, I believe I am better here than in Philadelphia. If I have done any good, it has been chiefly by writing, and here I have more time to command for that purpose, as well as for making experiments. However, when I cannot do as I would, I must be content to do as I can, and submit to the order of Providence. I want most the society of Christian and Unitarian friends, and particularly lament that I hear nothing of Mr. Russell. The English, who think of settling here, are almost wholly unbelievers, which renders my situation much less agreeable. This, however, is the will of Providence, and perhaps some good may come even of this unpleasant circumstance. I hope I shall at least guard my own family from the general infection.

I have but just received, and began to read, Darwin's Zoonomia. It is a curious and valuable work. I am surprised he should not mention Hartley; but he may as he proceeds.*

DEAR FRIEND,

TO THE SAME.

Northumberland, May 17, 1795. I FIND there is a packet coming to me from Philadelphia. I am eager to receive it; but in this respect my patience is fully tried, so that I make myself more easy than I did at first; and were it not for the concern I have for my friends, and the attention I give to the fulfilment of prophecy, I should take but little interest in the politics of Europe. He we are,

of Europe, where it may be reasonably conjectured, that the people" who know their rights, and knowing dare maintain" them, are rapidly increasing : "Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labours and posterity will, one day, cause great changes in the world. Americans are the western pilgrims, who are carrying along with them tha greats mass of arts, sciences, vigour, and industry, which began long since in the east. They will finish the great circle." See "Letters from an American Farmer," p. 52. See, also, Lord Corke, in 1755, supra, p. 246, note. Orig. MS.

as it were, out of the world, and begin to give but little attention to it. I used to feel something of the same kind between living at Birmingham, absorbed in my own pursuits, and spending a month annually in the bustle of London. But I feel the difference much more sensibly here.

It is my determination to spend two months annually in Philadelphia, or some of the greater towns in this country, and preach, for which I now hope I have sufficient strength; but last year I really had not. I have written to my friends at Philadelphia, to acquaint them with my resolution, saying I would appear among them, if at all, in my proper character of a Christian minister, and that they must therefore provide a place in which I may deliver a set of discourses on the evidences of revelation, or other seasonable and interesting subjects. If they could not succeed in this, I said I should make the same proposal to my friends at New York, but that I should give the preference to Philadelphia.

I have this day finished the transcribing the second period of the continuation of my Church History, which brings me to the re-establishment of the Western empire, under Charlemagne. This work I stick close to; but I could have done but little, if any thing, at it, if I had been at Philadelphia. As to experiments, I find I cannot do much till I get my own house built. At present I have all my books and instruments in one room, at the house of my son.

I am beginning to read your publications. Over the Apology and Farewell Address to the people of Catterick,* I could not help shedding some tears.†

DEAR FRIEND,

TO THE SAME.

I HAVE just received yours, in recommendation of Mr. Millar; but I have not seen him, or heard from him. Had our college been established, I should have thought him a valuable acquisition. However, several of our zealous friends are of the aristocratical, or governmental party in this country; and to

* See Mem. of Lindsey, pp. 70, 83.

↑ Orig. MS.

them Mr. Millar's having left England for his attachment to the principles of liberty will be no recommendation. On the contrary, they have the greatest jealousy of such persons, and Mr. Adams, with whom I have some correspondence,* acknowledged it was the fear they had of such emigrants that led them to put the restrictions they have lately done on the naturalization of foreigners. For my own part, I told him I had no intention to be naturalized at all, but to live as a peaceable stranger. I can perceive, however, that the democratical party is growing stronger, and will, in time, get the upper hand. Party spirit is pretty high in this country, but the constitution is such that it cannot do any harm.

On Sunday last, at the request of the judges of the Supreme Court, which has not sat the last two years, I preached at Sunbury, to a tolerable audience, some of whom I was told were much surprised to find that I was a Christian. I have no doubt of finding an opening to preach, and with effect, in this country soon, and I think with more effect, in consequence of having been thought to be overborne by the bigotry of the Calvinistic party, here called Presbyterians. Indeed, the Presbyterian discipline generally prevails here, the same as in Scotland. All the emigrants from Great Britain, of late years, have been from Scotland, or the north of Ireland. Very few settlers indeed have come from England. Nobody in these parts remembers any, and we are regarded with peculiar jealousy; and no others are considered as foreigners but ourselves. From other parts they are received as at home. At the same time we are evidently considered as something superior to other emigrants, and thought to be immensely rich.

Harry will make a spirited and laborious farmer. He is the wonder of the place, and, I hope, will not fail to do well.

I have read Darwin's Zoonomia, and admire it much; but he should have made more respectful mention of Hartley, who was before him in every important observation.†

P. S. I inclose a letter for Mrs. Rayner.

See supra, p. 234, note.

Orig. MS. No date. The London post-mark, July 6.

TO THE SAME.

DEAR FRIEND, Northumberland, June 17, 1795. I HAVE lately received two letters from you, and many pamphlets and newspapers, which were exceedingly welcome to me. I can hardly give you an idea of the interest I take in every thing that comes from England, and how little in any thing here. This is in a great measure, no doubt, owing to there being nothing very interesting now going forward here, every thing being quiet, and only in a silent, regular progression to a better state; whereas with you the greatest events may be expected, and things cannot continue as they are; and with the fate of England is connected that of Europe, and of the world.

The Morning Chronicle is particularly welcome to me, and I plainly perceive by it that the spirit of the people is getting up, and that things are approaching to the state they were in towards the close of the American war. I wish the issue may not be more calamitous. I am far from rejoicing in the distresses of my native country, and even those of my enemies in it; though I as earnestly as ever wish well to the cause of liberty, and, consequently, the success of the French. I rejoice in the change of measures that has taken place in that country, and wish it may be permanent; but, by our last accounts, another revolution was apprehended. By this time you know much more than we do here, and much more you will know before you receive this.

What you say on the subject of my continuing unactive here, affects me much. But if you could have been present at all the train of events by which I have been brought into this situation, I am confident you would not blame me. I feel a more eager desire than ever of doing what I can in the way that you wish me; but hitherto there has been no opening for it. I flatter myself, however, that I shall appear with more effect in consequence of this very circumstance, which

• Referring, I apprehend, to "the proceedings of the convention," April 3, and the report of Cambacères, the 19th, on "the mode of organizing the laws of the republican constitution." See N. A. Reg. XVI. 199.