204                              HISTORY OF
 

CHAPTER IV.

How the people of JSTew-Amsterdam were thrown
into a great panic, by the news of a threatened
invasion, and the manner in which they forti¬
fied themselves.

There is no sight more truly interesting to
a philosopher, than to contemplate a community,
where every individual has a voice in public
affairs, where every individual thinks himself the
atlas of the nation, and where every individual
thinks it his duty to bestir himself for the good of
his country—I say, there is nothing more inter¬
esting to a philosopher, than to see such a com¬
munity in a sudden bustle of war. Such a clamour
of tongues—such a bawling of patriotism—such
running hither and thither—every body in a
hurry—every body up to the ears in trouble—
every body in the way, and everybody interrupt¬
ing his industrious neighbour—who is busily em¬
ployed in doing nothing! It is like witnessing a
great fire, where every man is at work like a
hero—some dragging about empty engines—
others scampering with full buckets, and spill¬
ing the contents into the boots of their neigh¬
bours—and others ringing the church bells all
night, by way of putting out the fire. Little