conflict with natural forces quite enough to absorb all
superfluous energy, every fact of climate, soil and natural
features being against them, but neither scanty harvests, nor
Indian wars, nor devastating disease, had the power to long
suppress this perpetual and unflinching self-discipline.

Unlike any other colony of the New World, the sole purpose and
motive of action was an ideal one. The Dutch sought peltries and
trade in general, and whereever they established themselves, at
once gave tokens of material comfort and prosperity. The more
Southern Colonies were this basis, adding to it the freedom of
life--the large hospitality possible where miles of land formed
the plantation, and service meant no direct outlay or expense.
Here and there a Southern Puritan was found, as his type may be
found to-day, resisting the charm of physical ease and comfort,
and constituting himself a missionary to the Indians of South
Carolina, or to settlements remote from all gospel privileges, but
for the most part the habits of an English squire-ruled country
prevailed, and were enlarged upon; each man in the centre of his
great property being practically king. Dispersion of forces was
the order, and thus many necessities of civilization were
dispensed with. The man who had a river at his door had no
occasion to worry over the making or improvement of roads, a boat
carrying his supplies, and bridle-paths sufficing his horse and
himself. With no need for strenuous conflict with nature or man,
the power of resistance died naturally. Sharp lines softened;
muscles weakened, and before many generations the type had so
altered that the people who had left England as one, were two,
once for all.