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 ¬blem of our nation, would be defaced, and the metropolis, where our duties compel us to con- gregate, instead of being perhaps too alluring, would become odious from defamation, conten- tion and distrust. ¬" There are other advantages besides,- to countervail defects so new to you. — Connexions formed here pervade the whole country, and the influence of the great and opulent, giving fashion to their inferiors, makes friends of many who otherwise might be jealous and adverse, binding them all together as it were by innume- rable threads of silk, nothing in effect when single, but stronger than bars of iron when combined. — A state of society so accidental and anomalous must, after all, from the most ob- vious causes be imperfect — but it contributes, not a little to make the manners of our country what they are, and which we flatter ourselves are better than any other." ¬Although this defence of the follies I had ¬witnessed ¬