Article Preview
From the American Scene: Boston's Jewish Community: Earlier Days
- Abstract
VISITORS did not think well of the early Bostonians. One of them in 1699 described the place as follows: “The buildings, like their women . . . neat and handsome. And their streets, like the hearts of the male inhabitants, being paved with pebble.” Another visitor, described as “an unpleasant Englishman” by a historian of Boston, said of them, “Money [was] Their God, and Large Possessions the only Heaven they covet.” John Adams was later to cry out: ‘”The morals of our people are much better; their manners are more polite and agreeable; they are purer English; our language is better; our taste is better; our persons are handsomer; our spirit is greater; our laws are wiser; our religion is superior; our education is better.” This statement, it may be assumed, would persuade few outside of New England.
About the Author
This article is available for purchase to subscribers and for individual purchase
Subscriber Sign In
Not A Subscriber?
