Others again come under the dominion of fashion and of popular opinion, so that they dare only do that which they see others do, or are hurried from one folly to another, without having the courage to try to resist the stream.  But the life of a Quaker is a continual state of independence in this respect, being a continual protest against many of the customs and opinions of the world.

I shall now only observe upon this subject, that this trait of independence of mind, which is likely to be generated by some, and which is preserved by other of the causes which have been mentioned, is not confined to a few members, but runs through the society.  It belongs to the poor as well as to the rich, and to the servants of a family as well as to those who live in poverty by themselves.  If a poor Quaker were to be introduced to a man of rank, he would neither degrade himself by flattery on the one hand, nor by any unbecoming submission on the other.  He would neither be seduced into that which was wrong, nor intimidated from doing that which was right, by the splendour or authority of appearances about him.  He would still preserve the independence of his mind, though he would behave with respect.  You would never be able to convince him, that he had been talking with a person, who had been fashioned differently from himself.  This trait of independence cannot but extend itself to the poor.  For having the same rights and privileges in the discipline, and the same peculiar customs, and the same views of men and manners as the rest of the society, a similar disposition must be found in these, unless it be counteracted by other causes.  But as Quaker servants, who live in genuine Quaker families, wear no liveries, nor any badges of poverty or servitude, there is nothing in the opposite scale to produce an opposite feature in their character.

CHAP.  VIII.

SECT.  I.

A sixth trait is that of courage—­This includes, first, courage in life—­Courage not confined to military exploits—­Quakers seldom intimidated or abashed—­dare to say what they think—­and to do what they believe to be right—­This trait may arise from that of bearing their testimony—­and from those circumstances which produced independence of mind—­and from the peculiar customs of the society.

Another trait in the character of the Quakers, which is nearly allied to independence of mind, is courage.  This courage is conspicuous both in life and in the hour of death.  That, which belongs to the former instance, I shall consider first.