The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-09-21

II
| THE COUNTRY
| We have always been decided IN our advocacy Of
residence ia the country To those whose business
allows Of H. IL abounds III incalrulsbie advantages, and
may DO rcsored TO for occasional relaxation by those
who are doomed to spend the greater portion Of their
exstonce within the confined and heated atmosphere Of
city. That il conducfs TO the cultivation OF the re-
hnencns Of society, will not be pretendednalure ID
rough 10 her aspect, but kind ia her influences. She
ahates no mans pride. hsllers no mans vanity. be-
trays no name eonhdeaee aud heals no ~ ms passions
Youth II nurtured manhood strengthened aud old age
delighted with her kind and serene eountenance. She
is no where be found but ia the country The arti-
6eIal occupations and pleasures Of the city, all cal
culated 10 enoryats.
We are in no political vein on the subjective can
appreciate the pleasure Of oling tho green grass,
when we are not clad Ia whiie-of sitting beneath an
old tree, when caterpsrs and spiders in
lin tracing the meanderngs OF the purly brook when
our boots unposhed--of breathing the first breath
OF the newborn day, when dew has faen--as well
as any man These matters Of delight for the
acksdasical efiemnetes, who visit the country through
fashion, and leave II from ennui. We slpde to the
moral, social and intellectual effects of country life,
aud we hesitate not 10 say that IN these respects
stands unrivalled by any conventional mode Of exs-
lence
The 6rs, and mos, imporiau. duty OF every parent,
is 10 consult the health OF his children, for upon that
health COO frequently depends his intellectual excellence.
II is idle contend thai children as healthy IN gene
raj OF can attain the growth, aud hnnncss Of conslltu
ton in any city, which they susceptible Of in the
country, Our own city is favored beyond all others
The citizens enjoy pure water 10 drink aud battle in,
the vicinity is productive Of the best vegetables Of
every kind and prices accessible all the streets
SO graded and paved that every rain which falls,
pnrlies instead OF coIrupng the markets supplied
with provisions aud frus which have long heen sub
ject Of admiration TO the World either side flow
rivers for recreation IN swimming boating; the
smooth roads leading IN all dreciions invite TO vehicu
lar equestrian exercises Possessing every advan-
tage, Il will not stand comparison with the country.
Pure air. wholesome water, plain Diet and ample oppor
tunties for free and unresraned exercises,
scnl to The formation OF sound aud vigorous consti
tuition. are bones and lgsmenis the existence Of
man. These advantages all exist in the country, but
in the city they Let any OF our readers leave
his couch at the dawn Of day, when the CITY, like
mighty Levlahan begins to rustic its scales, unfold IT.
sell and get in motion He will in vain hunt for the
morning breeze, The putrid exhalalons, caused by
the suns absence for few hours, will convince hun
that the atmosphere abounds in i-health Let him
step into ordinary dining room, where the culinary
arts by turns uyile the inexperienced appetite OF chill
dren, AID compare the diet with the farmers board
let him witness the return Of youth OF hiteen, IRON
his fashiona le promenade down Chestnut street, or
| from the university with high heecd boots strapped
pantaoons aud well-cnt coat, and compare his form,
action and spirit, with those Of the country boy who
climbs the crag for the Eagles eggs pursues The hare
foot when he returns from The harves. field
his braced by honorable TOLL and he will be
yinced that our position Is correct. The latter will be
found possessed OF the mems in corpore sano"
Details ate better than than theories Let the
observer compare the amusements Of the two classes
The city youth spends his time in the theatre the oyster
house, if he be wise, perchance PaIkinsons the
Museu n--taking cream or hearing song. The
other meets his competitors in the road pitches the
bar throws the shoulder stone, hunts with his gun
and hound. Thus they grow up--the one dandy, the
other man.
Compare the innocent amusement Of country life with
those of the city, and the mora superiority Of the for
mer is easily accounted for
The intellectual disadvantages Of country life, have
often been spoken Of, and weigh with who have
not considered the subject maurely Is there in
feriority Of mind in the country II there be- il is
time to look to it, The raw material OF greatness Is
there--the pure is there only to be found, and
should be carefully developed We doubt whether any
such nfcrority exists Let experience be guide
Cromwell reared in the country, and whilst the
cavaliers Of that day laughed at his ignorance his native
energy and penetrating mind prost rated the mighest
throne in Europe and made him protector Of the
ton. He avoided Caesars errors and died with the
power in his hands.
Buonaparte vas reared in the little island Of Corsica,
and lived there until he twelve. The world knows
his history.
Washington country boy. He lacked neither
talent, frtnness nor patriotism. His education was
plain his habits unostentailous, his person robust He
wrote as much any other military commander and
as well; be received much company, and with refine
ment; he endured personal exposure than any Of
his compeers.
Hancock, Henry, Jefferson. aud Chief Justice Mar
shall were all reared in the country
We shall hereafter pursue this subject,