M. Blanchard remarks everywhere this equality in education, and a high standard of manners accompanied by dignity and elegant refinement. One day, having negotiated for the transport of some wood with a rich proprietor, a man of position in society, and brother of the celebrated American General Green, he saw him afterward come up driving his own wagons. He mentions the fact on his journal that evening, adding this exclamation, "Such are the customs of America!"
In general, the towns, villages, and country houses strike him as
"Possessing a something indescribably becoming that pleases one. Instead of tapestry, the walls are papered; and the effect is pleasing to the eye. The houses are, almost without exception, well-built, and kept remarkably clean, whether they chance to belong to a farmer or an artisan, a merchant or a general. Their education is pretty nearly the same, so that a mechanic is often sent as a deputy to the assembly where no distinction is made; there are no separate orders. I have already said that all the inhabitants of the country cultivated their own fields; they work themselves on their farms, and drive their cattle. This kind of life, this pleasing equality, possesses a charm for every thinking being."
Here we recognize the language of the reign of Louis XVI., an echo of Jean-Jacques and Bernardin de Saint-Pierre.
We have theorized on equality, and often lulled ourselves with chimerical dreams regarding it; but we find that a hundred years ago the Americans had practically realized it by adopting as a basis the participation of all citizens in the benefits of instruction and education, and the respect paid to all honorable labor.
So much for equality. We pass on to some facts of practical liberty.
While the French corps was passing through the little town of Crampond, an American asked a very high indemnity for some depredations committed by the troops on his property. This claim was taken into consideration; but without waiting for a decision, the American carried his complaint before the judge of his district, who, according to law, could not refuse to send an officer to arrest the commander of the French troops. This officer, in accordance with the legal custom, put his hand, with many apologies, however, on the shoulder of General de Rochambeau, in the presence of the troops. All the officers present were indignant, and wished to interfere; but General de Rochambeau said he would submit to the laws of the country; and he was dismissed on giving bail. This anecdote, related by Rochambeau himself, and by La Fayette, in their memoirs, is also mentioned by M. Blanchard, with the additional circumstance that he (M. Blanchard) found himself, a few days after, quartered on the same officer of the law to whom the mission of arresting the French commander-in-chief had been intrusted.
A Masonic procession is described as follows:
"It was St. John's day, a great day with the Free-Masons, and they held a meeting at Providence. It was announced in the public papers; for these kinds of societies are authorized here. I met these Free-Masons in the streets, formed in ranks and marching two by two, holding each other by the hand, all wearing their aprons, and preceded by men carrying long rods. The one who closed the procession, and who appeared to be the chief, had two brothers by his side, and all three had ribbons round their necks, as ecclesiastics do when they wear the cordon bleu."