Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-06-01

to US and would fain have made w pay duty
upon them, besides freight and other charges.
This grave occasion to our disunion and con.
sidering We had spirit and energy enough to
desperate from 80 unjust nation Of merchants,
| appeal to the gooS sense of my countrymen,
if it is not very astonishing, that it has never
yet occurred to US, to abandon the vicious and
injurious habits imposed upon US by mercantile
lintrigues. It might we'll have been expected,
that We should have felt some resentment ut the
means employed, As well a. the measures Of go
vernment, for enslaying US. But, strange to
tell, from the day OF our deliverance to this
time, we have consumed their teas with appa-
rent delight.
But my plan may be further criticised, by
asking, how do you entertain your friends with.
out tea or coffeel 1 answer, that do not own
either tca-cups or saucers, and yet, I am at no
loss to entertain my fri ends agreeabiy. My
dinner is not very differren, from that Of other
folks. Breakfast and supper eat out of soup
plates. supper is the principal meal of enter
tainment; and with the best fruits of the sea-
son, with and without cooking, bread, butter,
cheese, &c. Il can make handsome display and
furnish more delicious and salutary aiiment
than with tea and coffee. Old and young never
ial 10 commend those repasts. 1t must be con.
| e ssed however, the more advanced in years
frequently remark, that, however they may now
ana then relish feast of this sort, they are We.
ry reluctant to reiinquish their old habit. But
nave the satisfaction to observe, that all my
younger brethren and sisters, who are less COR
ruPted by fashion and habit, do not hesitate to
declare aheir Willingness to give up their tea &
| coffee, every day, tor a ylrgiiian supper.
But what are the advantages of this Virgil
ian economy l answer, many. Ina political
point of view, it gives us independence. This
requires no demonstration. 1t also saves many
lives, tor since my residence at or near Viii.
mington, more 6ne young men Of the borough
have died, in the West India trade than froma.
ny other cause whatever. a
Asto expense, besides the tea and china ware,
the time and maintenance of one person about
| a house is nearly saved from the washing and
Pudding which these frivolous trnkets require.
In point OF health. if you will indulge me in
talking about myself, as a familiar example,
VIII INFORM you how have proited by Virgii's
advice.-When resided at Dover, in fiat
country and vapid atmosphere, the faculty adj
vised me to live above the climate. Besides
my meridian before dinner, generally drank
wine in the afternoon. All would not do
was Obliged to fly for my life 10 this billy coun.
try: Whiie resided in Wilmington, contin-
ued my usual habits. Soon afterwards I was
attacked by the govt, and had regular fits for
some years. Since became = farmer and inr
duiged the Virsilian economy, Ihave never had
the gout. For more than twelve years, | have
been tree from this scourge of intemperance =
Although l now on the wrong side of 81
years OF age, my feet have recovered their tone
and hardihood; can walk and ride, and do
ms-ual Labor as well IS ever could The trim,
ming OF my orchards is an amusement reserved
Tor my own hands; for would not be hired 70
let an awkward fellow spoil my fruit trees, I
never learnt to reap or NOW; but can shock
wheat, or make hay, with any body. Besides
ain chief guardener in q lot of two acres. NV
local SITUATION precludes me from extensive bro
fessional dulles; but such rs falls to nv lot are
not neglected. All this too withont accidental.
so great as might be imagined !; for although
have quit tic use OF wine, along with other TO-
Reign iuxuriss, indulge in Cheering glass of
spirit and water, once or twice day. For this
purpose, prefer good rye Whiskey or high
proof apple brandy for scorn 10 go abroad for
any thing that can get better at home.
Are not these advantages worthy OF commu.
nicating TO my brother farmers Is there man
among you, that duly estimates a cheerful and
vigorous old age, free from pain and decripitude.
who will think these blessings dearly purchss.
ed by taking YrgPs advice, to live on the pro
ducc Of hic own farm
would take up too much time and space To
be particular az to the rest of my family. suf~
nee 1t to observe, that if any of them go from
nome Few days, they rejoice on returning to
their domestic fare; and have never known a
person yet, who had once lived with me. that
objected to returning and living with me. a.
gain, on account OF the we'll known family econ.
omy.
W living on the produce of our farms. I
would not wish to be understood, as excluding
All trade and commerce. Individuals NAV exo
change, and states and nations trade to adyan-
tage. But these abstract ideas are very differ
ent from the habituai folly of our country
Trade should be encouraged when advantage
Gus but a commerce that is injurious ought to
be repfessed The different states of the union
might exchange commodities to great adyan-
tage even in articles of diet. These should be
regarded as domestic produce, and ought GER
family TO be preferred to those Of foreign growth
There is distinction to be taken betwee n send
ing to New-Englsnd for Goldfish, and sending to
CHINA for tea. The same may be said Of bring
ing rice from Carolina, aud rum from The West.
Indies Having continent of our own il do
nestle commerce were duly cultivated, we
should have occasion but for few articles from
The eastern continents. As no tin has been dis.
covered IN America, we ought to import it from
England or elsewhere, as we can get il most
conveniently. But certainly the importation of
iron ought 10 be discouraged.
You will perceive that have advocated ge
neral proposition, that ofliving on domestic fare
IN preference to foreign luxuries. Much might
added in detail on the subject Of frugal, health.
ful and independent living. Your treatise on
brown biscuit is an excellent specimen of this
sort. Although commenced the use of biscuit
along with my husbandry, you have taught me
to make IT better than used to do. NV pre-
sent composition is two parts Of ship stuff and
one OF common -four. The bakers inform me,
little Hour is necessary to the due consistence
or tenacIty OF the dough. Well baked biscuit
..al n