Mrs. O.

“Surely you only say this for the sake of hearing what Mrs. M. will say in return—­you do not mean it?”

     Mrs. A.

“La, yes! to be sure I do.”

     Dr. A.

“I profess that I by no means wish my wife to read all she might find there.—­What says the Colonel, Mrs. M.?”

     Mrs. M.

“As to that, I never stop to ask him.  I tell him every day that I believe in Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and that it is his duty to believe in them too, and then my conscience is clear, and I don’t care what he believes.  Really, I have no notion of one’s husband interfering in such matters.”

     Dr. A.

“You are quite right.  I am sure I give my wife leave to believe just what she likes; but she is a good woman, and does not abuse the liberty; for she believes nothing.”

It was not once, nor twice, nor thrice, but many many times, during my residence in America, that I was present when subjects which custom as well as principle had taught me to consider as fitter for the closet than the tea-table, were thus lightly discussed.  I hardly know whether I was more startled at first hearing, in little dainty namby pamby tones, a profession of Atheism over a teacup, or at having my attention called from a Johnny cake, to a rhapsody on election and the second birth.

But, notwithstanding this revolting license, persecution exists to a degree unknown, I believe, in our well-ordered land since the days of Cromwell.  I had the following anecdote from a gentleman perfectly well acquainted with the circumstances.  A tailor sold a suit of clothes to a sailor a few moments before he sailed, which was on a Sunday morning.  The corporation of New York prosecuted the tailor, and he was convicted, and sentenced to a fine greatly beyond his means to pay.  Mr. F., a lawyer of New York, defended him with much eloquence, but in vain.  His powerful speech, however, was not without effect, for it raised him such a host of Presbyterian enemies as sufficed to destroy his practice.  Nor was this all:  his nephew was at the time preparing for the bar, and soon after the above circumstance occurred his certificates were presented, and refused, with this declaration, “that no man of the name and family of F. should be admitted.”  I have met this young man in society; he is a person of very considerable talent, and being thus cruelly robbed of his profession, has become the editor of a newspaper.

CHAPTER 12

Peasantry, compared to that of England—­Early marriages—­ Charity—­Independence and equality—­Cottage prayer-meeting

Mohawk, as our little village was called, gave us an excellent opportunity of comparing the peasants of the United States with those of England, and of judging the average degree of comfort enjoyed by each.  I believe Ohio gives as fair a specimen as any part of the union; if they have the roughness and inconveniences of a new state to contend with, they have higher wages and cheaper provisions; if I err in supposing it a mean state in point of comfort, it certainly is not in taking too low a standard.