of North America has witnessed, from its first institution, their fidelity to all their pecuniary engagements.65

"With respect to his losses, I have no personal knowledge, but have often heard that he has suffered from his zeal in the cause of his country."

65 The word "German" or "German-American" to-day, in connection with a bank, a real estate agency, a building association, or any semi-public financial enterprise, still carries with it some feeling that there is good management, prudence, skill in investment, safety of capital, and returns in interest, to be expected. The German character, when uncorrupted, regards the discharge of a financial obligation or responsibility, as a point of duty and of honor, as of first importance, and to be toiled for patiently, until the end has been realized.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS.

THUS far I have de

scribed the individual character of several orders of the German citizens of Pennsylvania. I shall now take notice of some of their manners66 in a collective capacity. All the different sects among them are particularly attentive to the religious education of their children, and to the establishment and support of the Christian Religion. For this purpose they settle as much as

66 See remarks on the use of this word in the Introduction to this "Account."

67 THE SCHOOLS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA GERMANS. There was almost no illiteracy among the original immigrants, and during the whole period of immigration, Germans educated in German universities were coming to this country. Pastorius, Köster, Weis, Peter Miller, Muhlenberg, Schlatter and Kunze were all active in the Province of Pennsylvania (compare