The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-11-06
CHARACTER OF THE REAL
YANKEES

they are generous ever arc. Like The
Scotch, too, they are slrewd, sensible.
lnquisitivc sincere, frugal, and hard
working. Like the Scotch, too. they
are an educated people-educated as a
people, in the substantial parts, of edu-
cation, to such degree as to fit them
for all the common duties of life. And
like the Scotch, they are grave, moral
and religious, TO proverb.
is a peopte, they have more politi-
cal knowledge, because thcyhave more
need of it, having SO much political
power,) and mere newspaper know
ledge than, perhaps, any other people
on earth, not excepting the English
themselves, who have more than the
Scotch. As people, too, they speak
better English, odd as it may appear.
and laughed at as they are for saving
so, than any other body of people cx-
listing on our earth. Still, however,
they are neither statesmen, scholars, spea-
kers or writer's ;and their everyday lam
guagc is SO altered here by puritan
ical tone, there by the rapidity and vi
vaclty OF their articulation, which is
like that of one who is about to be over
bid or oyerreached in a bargain, as TO
appear like bad English. There is not
Il man OF their whole number SO igno-
rant as the multitude of Europe hard
ly man, that YOU would be willing to put
among the Doors, the rustcs, the pea.
santry, or the proyincials of three
iourthS OF Europe but, then, they do
not abound IN very superior mcn--they
have but here and there one who would
be qualified for companionship with the
first men of Europe. More they will
have hut Just now their chief men are
but solitary stars in the sky of their
country.
They have all the Scotch hardihood,
the Scotch probity, and good share
the Scotch torbearance, or submissive
ness, which they call resignation, mp to
the point where submission is no longer
profitable =; but nothing of the Sir Ar
chy or the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES by
the way, which we hold to be a carica-
trc of individuals, not of nation-a
cdricature not OF the Scotch people, but
of Scotch men. The Yankees are, TO
a proverb, ii moral and religious peo-
pie. They are obstinate, persevering,
and old-fashioned in all their ways of
thinking and acting ; frugal, yet prone
to sort of old English hospitality
They are capable of any thing if pre-
pared earl " ; but in general are def
Client in warmth, refinement, enthusi-
assn, dclicacy and peculiarly of temper.
They are chiefly remarkable abroad
for their great good sense, and industry,
their plain dealing, their equable tenn
per, their perseverance, their sound
practical morality, cool courage, and
variety OF resource after the overthrow
of amy hope whatever. The true Yam
kcc is never discouraged.
OF him, as of the Scotchman, if caught
young, much may be made any thing
indeed but very fashionable man, or
that which is indeed a gentleman, iust
now. The native New-Englandcr, or
genuine Yankee, is unteachable SO far
-hG wants the pro1ioate ease, the well
bred graceful promptitude, the superb
self possession, the very instinct of gem
tllity, which the native male of a more
southern latitude is born to-the art, in
a word, Of trining gracefully, every
where, at all times, in all places, with
an air which nothing can ever discom-
pose, and look Which il were in vain
to describe.
The New-Englander is not sufficient
~ tall, or, when tall enough, is too broad
ovcrthe shoulders, too stiff, and much
too sturdy, ever to acquire the proper
for ballroom or a drawing
room. His carriage every where is
that of one who would be out of place
in the world of high fashion, who could
not breathe freely in the atmosphere of
Courts and if he should happen to
get there, he is apt to become too wise
and much too thoughtful for the occa-
sion sure 10 behave like one who at
the same time is too awkward, and too
conscientious for the people about him,
too grave and absurd for the elegant
of high life. lie cannot
look people in the face, bow, smile,
squeeze their hands, and swear that he
is glad to see them, while in his heart
he is wishing them at the bottom of
the Red Sea; nor, if you were to talk
with him for ever, such is the stupidity
of the animal, would you be able TO
make him perceive that such behavior
is either eXpedient, or wise, or manly.
TO give the charactera decided shape
If you are on the lookout for friend
IA friend that will stick by you thro'
good report and through evil report, so
long as you are able TO satisfy him,
whatever the world may say--a friend
of few words, of plain words, who will
proyc his friendship. whenever there * |