Litchfield enquirer., 1849-09-20
Rural Life,

The primeval employment of man j:
the most healthful Of all occupations
healthful for the body the mind and the
soul. What other pursuit by which paer
] obtain honest bread, affords such vigor.
| GUS training for the physical 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 expand more than aaid
rural scenes and beneath the purest air
Of heaven?
The farmers life is not scratch, scratch
with the pen-rap, rap. with the ham
mer-nor an everlasting packing and re-
packing Of another's labor. He walks
forth under the open sky, his broad acres
spread ont beneath his feet the blue con-
cave, sun lit, OF star-lit, or shrouded in
clouds, is still above him. Health claims
him as her favorite child, and the glori-
ous sun loves to kiss cheek, that is not
ashamed to wear the ruddy imprint Of
such affection. Natures own inimitable
music of bahbling brooks, birds, breezeS
Or rustling foliage, enters his ear on its
glad mission to his heart. He listens to
instructive voices, continually speaking
from the universe around him. His eye
gathers truth from unwritten pages Of
wisdom everywhere open before him.
Each day, each month, season after sea-
son, year after year, these teachings are
given to him, infinite in variety and end
less in extent.
When, towards the close of sultry
day, the summers blessing comes pour
ing down, and as, in the beautiful poetry
of the sacred volume, 'fthe trees Of the
field clap their hands, and the valleys,
covered with corn, shout for Joy" the
farmer, retiring from his labors to the
friendly shelter of his cottage roof, i'm
proves his leisure hours with the treas
ures of written wisdom. So too, while
his fields are sleeping beneath frost and
snow, what profession affords more avail-
able opportunities for self culture .
Where was the lyric poetry composed,
that makes Scotland prouder Of her
Burns than of all her ancient race of
wariike kings? Was it not between the
handles of the Mossgeil plough?
OF all theemployments that busy uen
in this present state ofexisteuee, the cul-
tivatioR Of the earth is distinguished as
affording the best opportunities for an
extended range Of mental discipline, and
for social, moral and religious improve
ment.
And now, last Of all. agriculture shall
put forth her highest claim. Of all mel
the farmer alone walks in the path where
God himself first took the, created image
by the hand. and led the way to dress
and to keep his gardea-the earth Con.
tiding in God, the husbandman ploughs
his fruitful fields, while the birds o.
spring are singing praises around him
Buoyant with hope, he scatters the seet
upon the ground, and gratefully receive
the early and the latter rain, cominl
down from Heaven to give the increase
And never did rational man vet appl
! the sickle to the golden grain withou
some vague idea Of gratitude to God thu
Giver of harvests!
Indeed the husbandman,s whole life
rightly viewed, is walking with God.
And though thousands may not ofte'
think Of this, and but few, even in any
small degree, appreciate it as they ought
nevertheless the assertion is true.
Horace Ham.