The people, as a class, take but little pride in good or comfortable houses. One often has to get quite near before he can see them, so small are they, and so much the color of the timber, being made of logs or poles. A person is regarded as “having a plenty” when he owns a good saddle-horse or two, a pistol, a milch cow, a few shoats, domestic fowls, and crop enough to last him through the year. The idea is that man lives but a short time; he should be satisfied with enough to eat and wear; that death, in a sense, destroys his individuality; that one star doesn’t differ from another in glory; that “in much wisdom is much grief,” and “what profit hath a man of all his labor which he taketh under the sun?” Be contented without knowledge, orchards and vineyards. What reason have we for improving on the condition of our parents? Of course, there are exceptions to those who hold these sentiments; and if their prophets and priests had not promulgated these ideas, to keep them from becoming wise above their instructors, probably none would have cherished them; for it would be hard to find a people with as little knowledge and culture, who are so honest, genial, frank, and ready to receive instruction as they are. The trouble is, they have been neglected. The Southern aristocracy have little sympathy, and do not know what it is to reach a helping hand to the needy, though they are regarded as very hospitable. The benevolent people of the North and East are absorbed in aiding the growing West. But let us go to the church. There is no bell to ring, though a bell would sound beautifully among those hills and valleys. There is no time-piece but the sun, and often no church or school-house to enter; a private house or an arbor is sufficient, if there is a spring near by. It is surprising to see the number that gather when there are so few signs of habitations. All are very attentive, and seem anxious to learn, save a few roughs, who gather at a distance, provided with whiskey and pistols, ready to quell any fuss that may chance to arise. Those who read the Bible and Almanac at all generally read them very much, and are ready to quote Scripture, but are less gifted in its construction and application; and if they chance to get hold of any other reading, they are apt to become very familiar with it, reading it over several times. They are not afraid to sing loud, whether they know the song or not. It is not one of their principles to give, unless it be a good meal of bread, hog-meat and gravy. Many are not able, and none have been taught, to give. Some hardly know how to account for the fact that other people give to them.