Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-12-07
INTERESTING PAPER.

Nov. IL. Of The various agricultural addresses
which We have seen in the public prints during
the last few months, this is incomparably the
ablest and most interesting. l. is full OF learning,
eloquence and acuteness, and shows that time has
neither palled the vigor OF the authors mind, mol
damped The ardor of his spirit II is mine Of
| information for those who are considering the
subjects of which it treats. For an agricul.
tural address some sturdy farmers may think
il TOO dscursive in its characler-many mat
lers find a place in it which have scarce
ly right 10 be there. But although onr friend
sometimes travels out of The record" the
reader will be always disposed TO forgive him
for doing SO, on account OF The extreme interest
which he throws around The subjects which are
thus brought in. No part Of his address is
in the slightest degree hinged with dullness
for he conlrives 10 give life even 10 The dry bones
OF chemical lheoy-bul, least of all, is il dry
when he rambles from his brief 10 some personal
Renaissance. MIR. Stevenson, of all the men we
ever met, is the best narrator Of aneedoe. But
grea, part Of his graphic power depends upon
his peculiar manner, his look and gesture, while
giving Them. Those who never h. The pleasure
OF his conversation, cannot therefore read them
with the Sc me gusto with those who have. The
following anecdoie OF The celebrated Mr.. Coke OF
Holkbam, Norfolk county, in England, we select,
because il serves TO remind US that The greatest
practical asriculluris in The world was one oil the
warmcst friends Of America and of Americans:
n If
ing through The saloon, and stopped opposite 10 a
full length portrait of himself, taken in his ,wes-
ly.second year. Ii was painted by Gansborough,
| "You see" he said, that | am taken in my
shooting costume, with gun in hand, and pointers,
! in this group. Now do you know that his is one
| OF my iavorte pictures, and said TO be The finest
| likeness ever ken Of me 1"-But have often
wished that there had been one change in il, and
that is, instead OF The shooting dress, gun and
pointers, he had represented me in my ordinary
dress of blue coat, leather breeches, boots and
spurs, with The Declaration Of american Independ
enee IN my hand, supporting with Fox motion
for acknowledging it. should then have hung
il size by side with The portrait 0! that great and
good man, by Sir Joshua Reynolds, The finest
likeness ever taken OF him. We were devoted
friends, and often congratulated one another on
the part We had taken in favor OF American in
dependence; and that we had never voted 10 put
one penny Of unnecessary bunhtn upon the PEG.
| pie, or shed one drop Of human blood"
Mr. Stevenson has left The turmoil OF political
life and retired his estate in Albemarle, there
10 spend the evening Of his days, like Mr. Coke
Of whom he speaks, in changing bad soil into
o-od. :, G,, ohinu iwo adas nf grass PROV where
one grew before" II is most noble employment
and TO il have al! line worthless Of Virginia de-
voted themselves. While We sincerely regret
that The Republican cause will be deprived OF The
benefit OF his fine talents enlarged experience and
powerful oraiory, we can scarcely wonder at his
unwillingness 10 exchange his farm for the poll
tca arena and his present quiet pursuits and
learned leisure Tor the bitterness and noise OF pc.
iiical strife. But events may ranspirc 10 call
him forth, and il they do, We doub! rot ha! his
| patriotism would triumph over his love OF agri.
cultural pleasures. To his present prospects in
lie he alludes in The following passage, which is
the only one Of length we have room Tor at pre-.
SENT Ii is beautiful picture OF farmers life,
and noble appeal 10 our beloved old Common
wealth:
MIR. President, am as you know, just essay
find few who seem disposed 10 cheer me on. On
the contrary il were to Judge in my own case,
should say that The public mind in this meridi-
au, upon this subject, not in The most health
tul state. In retiring from the vehement srites
and asilations OF that great arena, in which la
bored so long, and spent SO large portion OF my
ie to the more peaceful pursuits OF agriculture.
| | have been told by many OF my best friends and
others without number, that had committed one
OF the greatest errors of my Lille, and hazarded my
future peace and happiness. Indeed hear it con-
tnually asking, why, as matter OF choice, any
one in my situation Gndgine presume from Inc
pas) should ever think OF settling down in The
county to cultivate and restore exhausted lands,
shear sheep or faitcti PCS, ard snpefinend The
drudeery of Virginia farm? How often too,
do we hear il asked what are its benefits, and for
what is it przcd7 What lis claim TO The graft.
| tude of man Their own hearts il they are ag-
riculturists, should answer these questions. They
had better examine and see what there is in hu.
| ma nature, and human duties; what in interest," in
science, and in arr; what in philosophy, in morals
and in religion that may not be found amongst
the cultivalors OF The soil, in greater degree,
than in any other calling upon earth. What oc.
cupalion more full Of dignity; duties more full Of
low Than those which distinguish The husband
man; in all that invests man with simplicity and
neyolcnce; and with all that is fair and lovely,
intelligent valuable and disinIerested, in womanl
When was i, that man ever rose from stale Of
servitude and dependence, 10 prnprletorship OF
land and It's cultivation, that he did not learn
seli.respect, and become more elevated in his
own esieem7 Then il is that an entire change
takes place Then it is, that breathing no low
Or ahiect spirit, he reaps from The soil harvest
OF virtues. The sobriely of the father; the eco
nomy of the mother; The devoted labor OF The
son; The chastity OF The daughter; these these are
The fruits OF glorious agriculture And this is
nv answer 10 all who decry il. pity those who
know nothing, or are incapable OF enjoying that
soothing, cheering and unsurpassing influence,
which agriculture sheds over the mind and near!
Of man.
ooh. friendly TO the best pursuits Of man;
| Friendly to thought, to virtue and TO peace,
Domestic life In rural leisure past"
And there is not less The spirit OF philosophy
than poetry, in these beautiful lines of Cowper.
Mr.. President, il has been justly said that We
live In an enlightened and philosophical age
Il is empbalically an age Of improvement. CT.
vization and refinement were never more in
earnest A new spirit connected with human
improvement is abroad in the world. Every
thing 10 art and science, seems 10 be bearing On
the interests and desinies OF man. And chris
tianily, enlightened and god-like, is marching on
in triumph and doing good. And is Il al such
time, Ina, Virginia, proud and lofty Virginia,
is 10 ialler and give back? Will she alone, Of
all The States in this Union, suffer The paramount
interest OF Agriculture 10 be dangled al the heels
ofevcry other great interest. playing secondary
and inferior part1 Is this great interest 10 be
dragged at The wheels of party, or faction, instead
OF asserting lis rights and maintaining chariot
OF its own, leading This glorious and renowned
Old Commonwealth, toprosperiiy ano happiness
peace and honor7 There is redeemins spiTi
in her people which iorbids it.
Iii, with no ordinary qualification that we are
enabled to announce the pleasing intelligence
that Henry Clay purposes 10 visit Washington
this win:er, and that he will probably arrive
about the 23d Of this month"; National Wig.
Las, summer MIR. Clay visited the fashionable
crowded watering place Cape May, oerjoy "sal
balh," for the first time. Who can guess The Oh
iect OF this new visit OF The "prvae citizen" In
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