It is not less the characteristic of these regions to exhibit
the passions and the talents of the people in equal and wonderful
saliency. We are accordingly struck with two classes of social
facts, which do not often arrest the attention in old communities.
We see, for example, the most singular combination of simplicity and
sagacity in the same person; simplicity in conventional respects,
and sagacity in all that affects the absolute and real in life,
nature and the human sensibilities. The rude man, easily imposed
upon, in his faith, fierce as an outlaw in his conflicts with men,
will be yet exquisitely alive to the nicest consciousness of woman;
will as delicately appreciate her instincts and sensibilities, as
if love and poetry had been his only tutors from the first, and
had mainly addressed their labors to this one object of the higher
heart, education; and in due degree with the tenderness with
which he will regard the sex, will be the vindictive ferocity with
which--even though no kinsman--he will pursue the offender who has
dared to outrage them in the case of any individual. In due degree
as his faith is easy will his revenges be extreme. In due degree as
he is slow to suspect the wrong-doer, will be the tenacity of his
pursuit when the offender requires punishment. He seems to throw
wide his heart and habitation, but you must beware how you trespass
upon the securities of either.

The other is a mental characteristic which leads to frequent
surprises among strangers from the distant cities. It consists in
the wonderful inequality between his mental and social development.
The same person who will be regarded as a boor in good society, will
yet exhibit a rapidity and profundity of thought and intelligence--a
depth and soundness of judgment--an acuteness in discrimination--a
logical accuracy, and critical analysis, such as mere good society