Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/400

Rh sedentary life than to their diet, which I do not believe to be wholesome. The eating of so much greasy pastry would be injurious to the soundest health in this country.

The Shaker-community of Canterbury consists of about five hundred persons. There are here a vast many more fine and beautiful countenances among the young women than in the community of New Lebanon. The costume was the same, and the customs the same also. Among their customs is that of using the pronouns “thee” and “thou” as with the Quakers; and “yea” and “nay” instead of “yes” and “no” They lay great stress upon a friendly and kind behaviour towards each other in word and deed. They endeavour in their large families to create that life of love, which is the most beautiful flower of the lesser family. Work and prayer and mutual good offices are the business of their daily life.

I have already described to you the form of government which prevails in these small communities.

The Shaker-community of Canterbury derives its principal income from its farming produce, its preparation of medicinal herbs for the pharmacopoeia, and the weaving of woollen goods.

The Shaker-communities are the most rational, and probably the happiest of all conventual institutions. I should be glad if similar ones were to be found in all countries. People may say what they will, and do the best they can in the great community, but there will always exist the need of places where the shipwrecked in life, the wearied of life, the solitary and feeble may escape as to a refuge, and where their good-will and their powers of labour may, under a wise and affectionate management, be turned to account; where the children of misfortune or misery may be brought up in purity and love; where men and women may meet and associate as brethren and sisters in goodwill and friendship, labouring all for the benefit and advantage of each other. And this is the case here. The