It's the only land of liberty.
There is nothing to compare with the perfect free-and-easy, devil-may-care-kind-of-a-take-yourself way that every one has there.

If it would be any peculiar comfort for you to sit in the saddle of mutton, and put your legs in a soup tureen at dinner, there would be found very few to object to it.

There is no nonsense of any kind about etiquette.

You eat, drink, and are merry, or, if you prefer, are sad; just as you please.

You may wear uniform, or you may not, it's your own affair; and consequently, it may be imagined how insensibly such privileges gain upon one, and how very reluctant we become ever to resign or abandon them.
"I was the man to appreciate it all.