To conquer the prejudices and change the habits of millions,
are impossible. The human mind, exposed to social influences,
inflexibly adheres to the direction that is given to it; but for
the same reason why men, who begin in error will continue, those
who commence in truth, may be expected to persist. Habit and
example will operate with equal force in both instances.

Let a few, sufficiently enlightened and disinterested, take up
their abode in some unvisited region. Let their social scheme be
founded in equity, and how small soever their original number may
be, their growth into a nation is inevitable. Among other effects
of national justice, was to be ranked the swift increase of
numbers. Exempt from servile obligations and perverse habits,
endowed with property, wisdom, and health. Hundreds will expand,
with inconceivable rapidity into thousands and thousands, into
millions; and a new race, tutored in truth, may, in a few
centuries, overflow the habitable world.

Such were the visions of youth! I could not banish them from
my mind. I knew them to be crude; but believed that deliberation
would bestow upon them solidity and shape. Meanwhile I imparted
them to Ludloe.



Chapter VI.


In answer to the reveries and speculations which I sent to him
respecting this subject, Ludloe informed me, that they had led his