y into one. Here
again, when the business is over, they partake of a similar repast.
Hence a renewal of conversation and of friendship. The yearly meeting
again brings many, from the quarterly together. And here the Quakers
from all parts of the kingdom have an opportunity of seeing and
conversing with one another. I may add too, that many individuals in the
interim, who travel, whether on business or on pleasure, or on religious
errands, enlarge this friendly intercourse; for few Quakers pass through
the towns where Quakers live, without calling upon these, so that there
are many sources within the customs and constitution of the society,
that are productive of cheerful hours.[43]

[Footnote 43: It may be mentioned here, that the Quakers acknowledge
their relations to a much farther degree of consanguinity, than other
people. This relationship, where it can be distinctly traced, is
commemorated by the appellation of cousin. This custom therefore is a
cause of endearment when they meet, and of course of additional
pleasure.]

But here it will probably be said, that these sources of happiness,
which have been hitherto described, are common to many others. I grant
they are to individuals, but not to communities at large. No society has
probably so many of the comforts of life in its power, number for
number, and rank for rank, as that of the Quakers. None probably so
wholly domestic. None, where the members of it have such frequent
intercourse with each other, or where they are so connected in the bonds
of brotherly love, and none, as far as I know men, who have such
constant employment for their time.

Having explained some of those, which may be considered as positive
sources of happiness to the Quakers, I shall now shew what may be causes
of unhappiness to others, and that the Quakers seldom partake of these.
Such an exposition, however strange it may appear at the first sight,
will be materially to the point. For though an exemption from the causes
of the uneasiness of others can never be admitted as a proof of the
existence of positive enjoyment among the Quakers, yet if the latter
have solid sources of happiness of their own, and these are not in any
material degree diminished by the causes of the uneasiness of the
former, there will be left to them, because there will be no drawback, a
certain portion of happiness with less alloy. And here it is obvious at
the first sight, that the Quakers have not the same, nor