The Quakers have been described to be a domestic people, and as peculiarly cherishing domestic happiness.  Upon this principle it is, combined with the ties of their discipline and peculiar customs, that we scarcely find any of this society quitting their country, except for America, to reside in foreign parts.  If it be a charge against the Quakers, that they are eager in the pursuit of wealth, let it at least be mentioned in their favour, that, in their accumulation of it, they have been careful not to suffer their knowledge to take advantage of the ignorance of others, and to keep their hands clear of the oppression, and of the blood of their fellow-creatures.

In looking among the occupations of the Quakers, we shall find some, who are brought up as manufacturers and mechanics; but the number of these is small.

Others, but these are few, follow the sea.  There may be here and there a mate or captain in the coasting employ.  In America, where they have great local and other advantages, there may be more in the seafaring line.  But, in general, the Quakers are domestic characters, and prefer home.

There are but few also, who follow the professions.  Their education and their religion exclude them from some of these.  Some, however, are to be found in the department of medicine:  and others, as conveyancers, in the law.

Several of the Quakers follow agriculture.  But these are few, compared with the rest of the society, or compared with the number of those who formerly followed a rural life.  Almost all the Quakers were originally in the country, and but few of them in the towns.  But this order of things is reversing fast.  They are flocking into the towns, and are abandoning agricultural pursuits.

The reasons, which may be given for this change, may be the following.  It is not at all unlikely but that tithes may have had some influence in producing it.  I am aware, however, it will be said, that a Quaker, living in the country, and strongly principled against these, would think it a dereliction of his duty to leave it on this account, and would remain upon the principle, that an abode there, under the annual exercise of his testimony, would, in a religions point of view, add strength to his strength.  But it must be observed; on the other hand, that where men are not obliged to remain under grievous evils, and can get rid of them, merely by changing their occupation in life, and this honourably, it is in human nature to do it.  And so far tithes, I believe, have had an influence, in driving the Quakers into the towns.  Of later years, as the society has grown thinner in the country, I believe new reasons have sprung up; for the Quakers have had less opportunity of society with one another.  They have been subjected, also to greater inconvenience in attending their religious meetings.  Their children also have been more exposed to improper connexions in marriage.  To which it may be added, that the large and rapid profits frequently made in trade, compared with the generally small and slow returns from agricultural concerns, may probably have operated with many, as an inducement to such a change.