do us. They are severe in the execution of the orders of the State; stiff in the management of the interest of their Country with foreign Nations; mild and tractable with their Fellow-burghers; easy with all sorts of private Persons. The bottom of equality still remains, notwithstanding Power; and therefore credit never makes a man insolent, and the Governors never bear hard on those that are govern’d.
As for Taxes, they are indeed very great; but they are faithfully laid out for the publick good, and leave every one the comsort of contributing only for himself. Therefore the love people have here for their Country is not to be wonder’d at, since, properly speaking, ’tis no more than Self-love. But I dwell too long on the Government, without mentioning him who seems to have the greatest share in it[1]. To do him justice, nothing equals his Capacity but his Disinterestedness and Spirit.
Spiritual matters are managed with the like moderation. The difference of Religion, which in other places raises so many commotions, does not, in the least, ruffle here the minds of people : every one seeks Heaven after his own way; and those who are thought to go astray, are more pitied than hated, and bespeak from others a pure Charity, free from the indiscretion of mistaken Zeal.
As there is nothing perfect every way in this World, we find here fewer polite persons than men fit for business; and more good sense in the management of affairs than delicacy in conversation. The Ladies are very civil, and the Men are so easy as not to take it ill of one, if he prefers their Wives company to theirs. The latter are sociable enough for an amusement; but have not
- ↑ The Pensionary De Wit.
