4982. MANNERS, American vs. French.—
I am much pleased with the people of this
country. The roughness of the human mind is
so thoroughly rubbed off with them that it seems
as if one might glide through a whole life among
them without a jostle. Perhaps, too, their manners
may be the best calculated for happiness to
a people in their situation, but I am convinced
they fall far short of effecting a happiness so
temperate, so uniform and so lasting as is generally
enjoyed with us.—
To Mrs. Trist. Washington ed. i, 394.
(P.
1785)