“Let us then proceed,” said I, mortified at the imputation on my courage, and influenced yet more, perhaps, by the last argument.  The Brahmin then tried to soothe my disappointment, by his remarks on my native land.

“I have a great curiosity,” said he, “to see a country where a man, by his labour, can earn as much in a month as will procure him bread, and meat too, for the whole year; in a week, as will pay his dues to the government; and in one or two days, as will buy him an acre of good land:  where every man preaches whatever religion he pleases; where the priests of the different sects never fight, and seldom quarrel; and, stranger than all, where the authority of government derives no aid from an army, and that of the priests no support from the law.”

I told him, when he should see these things in operation with his own eyes, as I trusted he would, if it pleased heaven to favour our undertakings, they would appear less strange.  I reminded him of the peculiar circumstances under which our countrymen had commenced their career.

“In all other countries,” said I, “civilization and population have gone hand in hand; and the necessity of an increasing subsistence for increasing numbers, has been the parent of useful arts and of social improvement.  In every successive stage of their advancement, such countries have equally felt the evils occasioned by a scanty and precarious subsistence.  In America, however, the people are in the full enjoyment of all the arts of civilization, while they are unrestricted in their means of subsistence, and consequently in their power of multiplication.  From this singular state of things, two consequences result.  One is, that the progress of the nation in wealth, power, and greatness, is more rapid than the world has ever before witnessed.  Another is, that our people, being less cramped and fettered by their necessities, and feeling, of course, less of those moral evils which poverty and discomfort engender, their character, moral and intellectual, will be developed and matured with greater celerity, and, I incline to think, carried to a higher point of excellence than has ever yet been attained.  I anticipate for them the eloquence and art of Athens—­the courage and love of country of Sparta—­the constancy and military prowess of the Romans—­the science and literature of England and France—­the industry of the Dutch—­the temperance and obedience to the laws of the Swiss.  In fifty years, their numbers will amount to forty millions; in a century, to one hundred and sixty millions; in two centuries, (allowing for a decreasing rate of multiplication,) to three or four hundred millions.  Nor does it seem impossible that, from the structure of their government, they may continue united for a few great national purposes, while each State may make the laws that are suited to its peculiar habits, character, and circumstances.  In another half century, they will extend the Christian religion and the English language to the Pacific Ocean.