instinct of nature, more than by precepts, they learn
to follow the steps of their parents, to despise ostentatiousness
as being sinful. They acquire a taste for neatness
for which their fathers are so conspicuous; they learn
to be prudent and saving; the very tone of voice with
which they are always addressed, establishes in them
that softness of diction, which ever after becomes
habitual. Frugal, sober, orderly parents, attached
to their business, constantly following some useful
occupation, never guilty of riot, dissipation, or
other irregularities, cannot fail of training up children
to the same uniformity of life and manners. If
they are left with fortunes, they are taught how to
save them, and how to enjoy them with moderation and
decency; if they have none, they know how to venture,
how to work and toil as their fathers have done before
them. If they fail of success, there are always
in this island (and wherever this society prevails)
established resources, founded on the most benevolent
principles. At their meetings they are taught
the few, the simple tenets of their sect; tenets as
fit to render men sober, industrious, just, and merciful,
as those delivered in the most magnificent churches
and cathedrals: they are instructed in the most
essential duties of Christianity, so as not to offend
the Divinity by the commission of evil deeds; to dread
his wrath and the punishments he has denounced; they
are taught at the same time to have a proper confidence
in his mercy while they deprecate his justice.
As every sect, from their different modes of worship,
and their different interpretations of some parts
of the Scriptures, necessarily have various opinions
and prejudices, which contribute something in forming
their characters in society; so those of the Friends
are well known: obedience to the laws, even to
non-resistance, justice, goodwill to all, benevolence
at home, sobriety, meekness, neatness, love of order,
fondness and appetite for commerce. They are
as remarkable here for those virtues as at Philadelphia,
which is their American cradle, and the boast of that
society. At schools they learn to read, and to
write a good hand, until they are twelve years old;
they are then in general put apprentices to the cooper’s
trade, which is the second essential branch of business
followed here; at fourteen they are sent to sea, where
in their leisure hours their companions teach them
the art of navigation, which they have an opportunity
of practising on the spot. They learn the great
and useful art of working a ship in all the different
situations which the sea and wind so often require;
and surely there cannot be a better or a more useful
school of that kind in the world. Then they go
gradually through every station of rowers, steersmen,
and harpooners; thus they learn to attack, to pursue,
to overtake, to cut, to dress their huge game:
and after having performed several such voyages, and
perfected themselves in this business, they are fit
either for the counting house or the chase.