ABSTRACT
But considering association generally, why not seek as many opportunities for it as we can imagine: take it away, ifyou will, from neighbors, and they soon become strangers, maybe even enemies. Nothing has stirred up hatred between the Scots and the English so much as the absence of free and easy association between them. Whenever it did take pi ace, it would be disagreeable and oftentimes troublesome because of contempt on both sides. It's hard for friendships to form when people meet with one another so infrequently. Altogether unknown each to the other, they develop absurd prejudices and everything is twisted for the worse. People sometimes spout the most preposterous notions. For example, in t11e Midlands ofEngland, there truly are those who in aIl sincerity wondered whether the Scots had human faces and were quite surprised ifthey chanced to see someone from Scotland with a face like their own. Now since we are trying to establish lasting ties of friendship, how shall we begin more auspiciously than by tearing down the obstacles that have stood in the way? When we consider that up till now there has been almost no association whatsoever, let there be from here on as much as possible. Instead of being troublesome and disagreeable, let it be as pleasant as possible. Instead of ignorance, let's have genuine familiarity with each other's talents, character, and way of life. These are the goals which we are striving for in offering our agenda under each of the five headings of this chapter. The items listed under the first heading are intended to facilitate free and easy association by eliminating quarreis, together with the pretexts and motives for quarreling. This is certainly advantageous for the union, especially in its early stages, when it can be tumed topsy-turvy in the blink of an eye unless we confront these little difficulties head-on with the utmost care and diligence. I shudder to think of all the damage these dangerous encounters may do though spurred on by such trifIing causes.
