THE following narrative conveys a simple but convincing proof of the effects of the principle of combined labour and expenditure, and may be considered as a conclusive argument against the system every where existing among the bulk of mankind. The only objection in the mind of the liberal and well-informed is grounded on the degrading superstition, and consequently low state of intellect, exhibited in the religious notions and relative conduct of the Shakers. Even this, however, it seems, does not prevent—the limited progress of the useful inventive talents among them—an uniform and peaceable demeanour as subjects of the state-the exercise of the principles of veracity, honest and sincere dealing towards every one, kindness, and hospitality! The defects, which create disgust and feelings of pity on the part of enlightened persons, afford the most triumphant and abundant proofs of the truths developed in the work entitled "A New View of Society," where it is laid down as an undeniable principle, that "the character is formed for, and not by, the individuals!" Hence it is that human beings may be trained by the ignorance and folly of society to the most unnatural perversion of the commonest feelings and necessary propensities of human nature, and yet present, like these Shakers, a moral character, and kind, inoffensive, demeanour towards all their fellow creatures, of which the present state of society, in its best form, offers no parallel :-Can any reasonable man then doubt whether society has the means, even with its limited knowledge, to enable the human intellect to rise as much above the present level of its powers and relative prejudices, as the conduct of these simple-hearted Shakers is superior to that of the lower orders of the best regulated city or village, under the existing system, in the world?

A BRIEF SKETCH

OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF PEOPLE CALLED

SHAKERS.

IN 1747, from their own records, a small body of people were gathered together, forming a religious association, in derision called Shakers, in Bolton and Manchester, England.

James Wardley and Jane his wife, who had belonged to the religious Society of Friends, it appears, were founders of this sect. They were joined by John Townley, John Stocknell, Mary Stocknell, and many others, some of whom were people of property, and held their meetings generally at Manchester. From their printed works we may here insert a paragraph. -"Sometime after assembling together, and sitting awhile in silent meditation, they were taken with a great trembling, under which they would express the indignation of God against all sin. At other times they were affected with a mighty shaking, and were occasionally exercised in singing, shouting, or walking the floor, under the influence of spiritual signs; shoving each other about, or swiftly passing and repassing, like clouds agitated by a mighty wind!"

From these strange exercises arose their name,

though by many they were called Shaking Quakers. They are stated to have "increased gradually in light and power until 1771, when the present testimony of salvation was fully opened through Ann Lee, who was received at that time as their spiritual mother!"

She was born in 1736 in Manchester, and " grew up in the same fallen nature with the rest of mankind," married, and had four children. Her husband was Abraham Standley, a blacks:rith.-Ann Lee was zealous to enthusiasm; was often shamefully treated by the mob; many times imprisoned,—and was once put into the mad-house and kept there several weeks, during which time the only sustenance she received was milk and other liquids through the stem of a tobacco-pipe through the key-hole. In May 1774 she, and as many of her followers as could go, embarked for America, in the ship Mariah, Captain Smith, of New York. When they landed, being poor, they separated to seek their livelihood, while she remained some time in New York, in a family of the name of Smith in Queen-street, where she was kindly treated. In 1776 she went to Albany, and from thence to Neskenna, eight miles N.W. of Albany, and there fixed her residence, which to this day is a handsome village of that people. At that time it was a forest and a very retired place, suitable for her and her followers, who all collected and settled there. Soon after their arrival, they were viewed with a jealous eye. Ann Lee was thought by many to be a witch. Their numbers however increased, and it was judged best to separate; they accordingly

built two other very pretty towns, some miles east of Hudson's River, near each other, and about thirty miles from Hudson. These settlements were begun in 1779, and were called Lebanon and Hancock.They met with many sufferings during the revolutionary war; for, being from principle averse to every kind of war, they would on no account take up arms, and many of them were imprisoned on that account. Ann Lee was once cast into prison, being charged with many crimes of which she was innocent, and was released by Governor Clinton. Speaking of their trials near this period, they say, "Nor was any persecution ever raised against them, but by means of that false religion and spirit of oppression, which had long been established in the British dominions, and whose despotic influence had not yet ceased in America."

In September 1784 Ann Lee departed this life, since which they have increased rapidly. A considerable body of them reside in Kentucky; one in the Indiana territory; one in the Ohio; one in Connecticut; and one in the province of Maine; besides the three already mentioned in New York State. These additions are by convincement, and by accepting orphans and other children which are frequently presented to them; as they have no other increase, marriage being totally prohibited amongst them. They are established upon the principle of a community of property, on the system of united labour and expenditure: the advantages are equally participated by all, without any distinction whatever. The men and

women eat at different tables and sleep in different houses, no more women going to the men's apartments than are sufficient to do the necessary work. They allow no strangers to sit at meals with them, yet their hospitality is great, and each settlement has a room set apart for strangers, with every requisite for their comfortable accommodation. They are neat and clean almost beyond description,-and for conveniences about their houses, barns, kitchens, stables, &c. they cannot be surpassed. Almost every article of food, that can be produced with them, is of their own growth; and with every necessary and comfort of life they are abundantly supplied.

They also manufacture nearly all their own clothing, and make many articles for sale; among which are leather, hats, cards, measures, boxes of beautiful workmanship, wire sieves, flax combs, waggons, ploughs, rails, wooden ware, and brooms. They carry to market most kinds of kitchen vegetables: they also raise for sale abundance of garden seeds of every description common in these latitudes. The cities and villages of the state are mostly supplied by them. As they are a people perhaps above all others to be depended upon for veracity and strict integrity, one may buy without fear of deception, and the articles are always delivered with the greatest punctuality. Their manner of conducting business is as regular as possible. In the village they have a large two-story house, which they call the office, where every person who has business must repair. It is conducted by four people