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tenderness, and, except that they suffer their infants to be suckled by black nurses, they are, in general, very good mothers..

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In the lower districts, the inhabitants have but few places for public worship, and even these, being destitute of ministers, are suffered to stand neglected; so that the sabbath is generally disregarded, or distinguished only by the convivial meetings of the white inhabitants, and the noisy diversions of the negroes. The sciences appear to be equally disregarded; for political enquiries and philosophical disquisitions are too laborious for the indolent minds of the people at large, "Less attention and respect,' says an American geographer; are paid to the women here than in those parts of the United States where the inhabitants have made greater progress in the arts of civilized life. Indeed, it is a truth con firmed by observation, that in proportion to the advancement of civilization, in the same proportion will respect for the women be increased; so that the progress of civilization in countries, in states, in towns, and in families, may be marked by the degree of attention which is paid by husbands to their wives, and by the young men to the young women."

Possessed of a fertile country and by no means destitute of genius, the North Carolinians might easily enjoy the blessings of opulence and learning, would they but cultivate their soil and treasure up instruction. But as the chief part of their time is devoted to drinking, idling, and gambling, the improvement of their minds is too generally neglected, and the cultivation of their lands is left entirely to their overseers and negroes. The citizens of North Carolina who are not

better employed," says Dr. Morse, "spend their time in drinking, gaming at cards or dice, cockfighting, and horse racing. Many of the interludes are filled up with a boxing match; and these matches frequently become memorable by feats of gouging, which delicate and entertaining diversion is thus performed. When two boxers are worried with fighting and brusing each other, they come, as it is called, to close quarters, and each endeavours to twist his fore fingers in the ear-locks of his antagonist. When these are fast clenched, the thumbs are extended each way to the nose, and the eyes gently turned out of their sockets. The victor, for his expertness, receives shouts of applause from the sportive throng, while his poor eyeless antagonist is laughed at for his misfortune.

"In a country that pretends to any degree of civilization, one would hardly expect to find a prevailing custom of putting out the eyes of each other; yet this more than barbarous practice is prevalent in both the Carolinas among the lower class of people. Of the origin of this custom we are not informed; but we presume there are few competitors for the honour of having originated it, and equally as few who are envious of the pleasure of those who have the honour to continue it."

With respect to the inhabitants of South Carolina, there does not seem to be any peculiarity in their manners, except what results from the mischievous influence of slavery, and even in this,' they do not differ from the inhabitants of other southern states. Slavery, by exempting great numbers from the necessities of honest labour, introduces luxury, dissipation, and extravagance; and the absolute authority exercised over the slaves, favours a haughty supercilious behaviour, and is

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utterly inconsistent with the spirit of that religion which teaches us, "To do to others as we would that others should do unto us.'

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The Carolinians arrive sooner at maturity, both of body and mind, than the natives of colder climates; and they seem to possess a natural vivacity of genius superior to the inhabitants of the north; but they too generally want that enterprize and perseverance, which are indispensably necessary to considerable attainments in the arts and sciences. There are, however, many instances in this state, in which genius has been united with application, and the happy effects of their union have been experienced by the United States at large.

The South Carolinians are, in general, affable in their deportment, and peculiarly kind and attentive to strangers. Many of them spare no pains nor expence in giving the highest polish of education to their children, by enabling them to travel, and by other means unattainable by those who have but moderate fortunes. The ladies have an interesting softness and delicacy in their appearance and manners, and many of them possess the polite and elegant accomplishments.

Theatrical exhibitions have been prohibited in Charleston, and gaming of all sorts is more discountenanced among fashionable people in this than in any of the southern states. Hunting seems to be the most favourite amusement, at which the country gentlemen are extremely expert, and with surprising dexterity pursue their game through the woods. Twice a year, also, a class of sporting gentlemen have their horse-races, and very considerable bets are sometimes laid on these oc casions.

Dr. Morse observes, that there is no instance, in which the richer class of people in this state trespass more on propriety than in the mode of conducting their funerals. "That a decent respect be paid to the dead," says he," is the natural dictate of refined humanity; but this is not. done by sumptuous and expensive entertainments, splendid decorations, and pompous ceremonies, which a misguided fashion has here introduced and rendered necessary. 'In Charleston and other parts of the state, no persons attend a funeral any more than a wedding, unless they are particularly in-. vited. Wine, punch, and all kinds of liquors, with tea, coffee, cake, &c. are handed round on these solemn occasions; and, in short, one might. suppose that the religious proverb of the wise man, "It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting," would be unintelligible and wholly inapplicable here, as it would be diffi cult to distinguish the house of mourning from the house of feasting."

The Jews in Charleston have this remarkable: peculiarity in burying their dead. After the funeral dirge is sung, and just before the corpse is deposited in the grave, the coffin is opened, and a small bag of earth placed under the head of the deceased then some powder, said to be earth, brought from Jerusalem, is put upon the eyes of the corpse, in token of their remembrance of the holy land, and of their expectation of returning thither, in God's appointed time.

Of the inhabitants of Georgia, it is almost im possible to give a general character; for, having been collected from different parts of the world, as interest, necessity, or inclination led them, their character and manners consequently partake of

all the varieties which distinguish the several states and kingdoms from whence they originally came; and, indeed, there is so little uniformity, that it is difficult to trace any governing principles among them. An aversion to labour is too predo+ minant, owing in part to the relaxing heat of the climate, and partly to the want of necessity to excite industry; but almost all the inhabitants are celebrated for their kind and friendly hospitality to strangers.

"The diversions of these people," says a respectable writer," are various. With some, dancing is a favourite amusement. Others take a fancied pleasure at the ganring table, which, however, frequently terminates in the ruin of their happiness, fortunes, and constitutions. In the upper counties, horse-racing and cock-fighting prevail; two cruel diversions imported from Virginia and the Carolinas, whence those who practise, them principally emigrated. But the most rational and general amusement is hunting; for which Georgia is peculiarly well calculated, as the woods abound with deer, racoons, rabbits, wild turkies, &c. at the same time the woods are so thin and free from obstructions, that a person may generally ride half speed in the chace without danger. In this amusement, pleasure and profit are blended. The exercise contributes essentially to health, and fits for activity in business and expertness in war; the game also affords a palatable food, and the skins a profitable article of commerce.

The constitution of the United States provides for the free exercise and enjoyment of religious worship, without discrimination or preference, for all mankind; provided that the liberty of conscience hereby granted shall not be construed to

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