Litchfield enquirer., 1841-02-11
r-nr, tlr Rnsinn Errninr Transcript

Agricultural Societies Of CONNECTICUT, during
the autumn OF the past ycnr--addreSSes
which present various statistical facts, and
contain many happy touches at the necessi-
ties OF the times, as characteristic of their
author, as they are illustrative Of the truth.
"Agricullura as pursuit, commends itself
to persons Of refined taste and sentiment.
know how shall startle the ear Of city fas-
tidiouSncSS by such an assertion but rely
upon your candor that shall not offend by
the expression of my honest convictions
There is much in the country that is vulgar,
rude, and offensive. There is no occasion
for this. This is not the fault OF the country.
But is there more of this in the country Than
! is to be found in cities? These things de-
pend much upon ourselves. The artificial
forms OF social intercourse do not prevail in
! the country as in the town-at least they are
| not the same; but it is often delightful to lay
aside, at least for IL while, the buckram and
starch. have been through life familiar
with all classes Of people. have been ma
ny years citizen in the cities, and farmer
among the farmers. / have been a frequent
visiter in city palaces, and many time an
indweler of the humblest mansions in the
secluded parts Of the country; and l must
say, without derogating from the refnements
OF the most improved society in the cities,
that the comparison in respect to courtesy
and civiliiy would not turn out to the disad-
vantage of the country. True politeness is
not matter OF Tmere form and manner, but OF
sentiment and heart. There are rude and
| vulgar people everywhere; but will not
sober judgment pronounce il rs great Il rude
ness to be sent knowingly away from the
door Ut one who calls herself friend by u
servant with IL liz put in his mouth. as to be
received by the kind woman who welcomes
us heartily at her wash-tub or her spinning
! wheel, and sweeps place for us without
apology to sit down at her kitchen fire ,
You will pardon the LONELINESS OF my illus.
trations. You may thread your beautiful
valley from the ocean to the mountains; you
may, as have done, follow the silver stream,
whose honored name is borne by your COM
monwealth, from the place where it depos-
ties its contributions in the mighty treasury
Of the sea, to its gushing sources under the
snow-clad SUBMITS of the north, and traverse
every State WHOSE. borders are laved by IT'S
gentle waters, aud good manners on your
part will be invariably met with cores
ponding civility. Excepting among the vi
cious and dcpraved, you will find no rude
ness unless you arc 50 unfortunate as 10 pro-
| woke it by your own arrogance. 1t is folly
to carry city manners and customs into the
country. This destroys the simplicity which
constitutes the charm of rural life. If you
have no real taste for rural pleasures, no in
terest in rural concerns, no disposition for
rural labOrs; if you are afraid OF solling
your hands or browning your cheeks; it
you can make no friends with the hocks that
whiten the fields, nor the birds that make
the hills and forests vocal with melody if
you are unwilling that the earliest rays
of the dawn shall disturb your repose, and
your heart kindles with no enthusiasm In
the golden sunset, then flee the country as
you would the Siberian desert. 1t would be
to YOU only land Of discomfort and soil
tude. ~. e,.,srs .,. e..
Commercial and manufacturing pursuits
withdraw a large portion OF our people from
agricultural labor, as they promise higher
wages aud ready money. 1t has been sup
posed, and confidently maintained among
us, that manufactures especially. would OPP
crate as an encouragement to ngrlciii"to'
by creating IL quick market for its products
in the villages, which spring up wherever
these establishments are planted. But the
effect has been to withdraw large amount
of labor from the farm, and render it difficult
and discouraging, through the scarcity and
consequent high prices Of labor, to carry OH,
to any considerable extent. and with any en-
tcrprize, the business Of the farm. Perhaps
we are not yet sufficiently populous, to fur
nish an ample supply of labor to our farms,
and the extensive manufacturing and COM
mercial Establishments, which are in opera
ton among us. AS our population advances,
we shall people enough for all the depart
ments !; but, hitherto, trade and milnuf:,c-
lures, as carried on among ,ls, have opera
ted, in some respects, to tho hindrnnce ofag-
riculturo; and shall be forgiven. hope, IN
expressing my modification and regret,
in observing the crowds Of young men in our
cities, who, instead of Frightening thoir hoes,
and standing behind their plows, prefer to
rub the brass bell knobs, and stand behind
the tables or else, with tho muscles Of oak,
made to breast the wind, TO turn up the soil.
and 10 gather the harvest, choose, in their
miserable effeminacy, 10 thrust themselves
into woman's sphere, and putting on the dan
dy'S uniform, become transformed into a sort
Of gum.elastic exquisite, to stand behind
counters, and measure on! pins and ribbons
Still more il is TO be lamented, that now in
the country, The milk-maid's elastic step,
and neatly tied up locks, and ruddy cheeks,
and sparkling teeth, is picture to be found
only in The lumber garnet Of some secluded
antiquarian, who, poor soul has never
heard of the Mirror Of Fashion, or the Lady's
Magazine. ...-.,s. .,s H. r.. 49,. .5 ,'s
,,,f.., From the OpelousGs, La, Gazette. ,. levi
r. Erecuiioa--Om Monday last. three slaves
belonging to Mrs. Preston of this place, were
executed for the murder of John p. Moore
The circumstances of the murder are these.
MIR. Moore, being the overseer of Mrs. Pres
ton, discovered some whiskey in the cabins
of the slaves, aud threatened to punish them
the next day. 1t seems, however, that three
or four OF the negroes had previously resolv-
ed upnn the death of Moore, and III order to