Neither, if we look into the society of the Quakers, shall we find a different account.  It is undoubtedly true, though there are many amiable exceptions, that the worst examples in it are generally among the children of the rich.  These presently take wings, and fly away, so that, falling into the corruptive and destructive fashions of the times, their parents have only been heaping up riches; not knowing who were to gather them.  And here it may be remarked, that the Quaker education, by means of its prohibitions, greatly disqualifies its young members, who may desert from the society, from acting prudently afterwards.  They will be, in general, but children, and novices in the world.  Kept within bounds till this period, what is more probable than that, when they break out of them, they will bunch-into excess.  A great river may be kept in its course by paying attention to its banks, but if you make a breach in these restrictive walls, you let it loose, and it deluges the plains below.

In short, whether we turn our eyes to the Quaker society, or to the world at large, we cannot consider an affluent independence as among the temporal advantages of youth.  And as they, who only leave their children a moderate portion of substance, so that they shall see the necessity of relying upon their own honest endeavours, and the Divine support, act wisely in their own generation, so they act only consistently with the religion they profess.  For what does the religion of the Quakers hold out to them as the best attainment in life?  Is it not spiritual knowledge?  Is it not that knowledge, which shall fit them best for the service of their Maker?  But such knowledge is utterly unattainable while a money-getting spirit exists; for it has been declared by the highest authority, that we cannot serve God and mammon.

CHAP.  XIV.

Another trait is that of a want of animation or affection—­This an appearance only, and not a reality, arising from a proper subjugation of the passions—­from the prohibitions relative to dress—­and address—­and the amusements of the world.

It is said next of the Quakers, that they are a cold and inanimate people; and that they have neither the ordinary affection, nor the gradation of affection, of other people.

I may immediately pronounce upon this trait, that it is merely an outward appearance.  The Quakers have as warm feelings as the rest of their countrymen.  Their love of their fellow-creatures, more conspicuous in them than in many others, as has been amply shewn, gives them a claim to the possession of warm and affectionate feeling.  The Quakers too have the character of a domestic people; but surely, if they do not possess affection, and this in a very high degree, they must have miserable homes.  There is indeed a want of gradation in their affections, which may be traced upon some occasions.  In making their wills, for example, they are not apt to raise up an eldest son to the detriment of the rest of their offspring.  And this certainly is a proof, that they do not possess the gradation of affection of many other people!  Happy is it for their own comfort and the welfare of their families, that they give this proof to the world of this equal affection for their children.