Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-03-31

From Downing's Horticulturist.1 !

RURAL L1FE.-This primeval employment of
man is the most healthful of all occupations !;
healthful for the body, the mind, and the soul.
What other pursuit by which men obtain honest
bread affords such vigorous training for the phys-
cal powers, such various and extensive ranges of
mental exercises =?
And where may the moral nature Of man be
preserved unsullied from vice and grow and ex-
pand more than amid rural scenes and beneath
the purest air of heavenl
The farmers life is not scratch, scratch with
the pen-rap, rap with the hammer-nor an ever.
lasting unpacklng and repackng Of the produc, of
another's labor. He walks forth under The open
sky, his broad acres spread out beneath his feet /;
the blue concRve, sunit or sarllt. or shrouded in
clouds, is still above him. Health claims him as
her favorite child, and the glorious sun loves TO
kiss cheek that is not ashamed to wear the rud-
dy imprint of such affection. Natures own in-
mtable music Of babblng brooks, birds, breeze, or
ruSthng foliage. enters his on It's glad mission
to his heart. He listens to instructive voices,
continually speaking from the universe around
hlm. His eye gathers truth from unwritten pa ges
OF wisdom, everywhere open before him. Each
day, each month. season after season, year after
year, these teachings are given 10 him, infinite in
variety. and endless in extent.
When toward the close of q sultry day the
summers blessing comes pouring down, and as in
the beautiful poetry Of the sacred volume :" the
trees of the field clap their hands," and the val
eys, covered with corn, shout for oy," the rroer
retiring from his abors to the friendy shelter of
his co;tage-roof, improves his leisure hours with
the treasures of written wisdom. So. too, while
his heIds are sleeping beneath frost and snow,
what profession affords more avaiab Bile opporluni-
ties for self culture Where was the lyric poetry
composed that makes Scotland .prouder of her
Burns than of all her ancient race of warike kings!
Was, II not between the handles Of the Mossgeil
plough?
OF all the emplovments that busy men here in
this present state of existence, the cultivation of
the earth is distinguished as affording the best
opportunities for an extended range of mental dis
ciphne. for advancing in true refinement, for So
claI, rural, and religious Improvement.
And now, last of all, agriculture shall put forth
her highest claim. OF all men, the farmer alone
walks in the path where God himself first took the
created image by the hand aud led the way to
dress anG 10 keep his garden-the earth Con-
hGlng IN God, the husbandman plows his fruitful
helds, while the birds of spring singing praises
around him. Buoyant with hope, he scatters the
seed upon the ground, and gratefully receives the
early and the latter rain, coming down from hea.
ven to give the increase. And never did rational
man yet apply the sickle TO the golden grain
without some vague idea Of gratitude to God, the
gyer Of harveslS!
Indeed, the husbandmaD's whole life. rightly
viewed. is ' walking with God" And though
thousands may not often think of this and but a
few, even IN any small degree, appreciate il as
they ought nevertheless the assertion claims to be
true.