This trait in the character of the Quakers is very general. I would not
pretend, however, to call it universal. But it is quite general enough
to be pronounced a feature in their domestic character. I do not mean by
the mention of it, to apologize, in any manner for the ruggedness of
manners of some Quakers. There are undoubtedly solitary families, which
having lived in places, where there have been scarcely any of their own
society with whom to associate, and which, having scarcely mixed with
others of other denominations except in the way of trade, have an
uncourteousness, ingrafted in them as it were by these circumstances,
which no change of situation afterwards has been able to obliterate.
The subjects of conversation among the Quakers differ, like those of
others, but they are not so numerous, neither are they of the same kind,
as those of other people.
The Quaker conversation is cramped or fettered for two reasons, first by
the caution, that prevails among the members of the society relative to
the use of idle words, and secondly by the caution, that prevails among
them, relative to the adapting of their expressions to the truth. Hence
the primitive Quakers were persons of few words.
The subjects also of the Quaker conversation are limited for several
reasons.
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