The hatching up of suspicions on the accidental occurrence of trivial circumstances, the blowing up of these suspicions into substances and forms, animadversions on character, these, and such like themes, wear out a great part of the time of an afternoon or an evening visit.

Such subjects, however, cannot enter where Quakers converse with one another.
To avoid tale-bearing and detraction is a lesson inculcated into them in early youth.

The maxim is incorporated into their religion, and of course follows them through life.

It is contained in one of their queries.

This query is read to them in their meetings, and the subject of it is therefore repeatedly brought to their notice and recollection.
Add to which, that, if a Quaker were to repeat any unfounded scandal, that operated to the injury of another's character, and were not to give up the author, or make satisfaction for the same, he would be liable, by the rules of the society, to be disowned.
I do not mean to assert here, that a Quaker never says a harsh thing of another man.