Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1849-05-31

anu vi CuALAfdGitlS III TIC uOSt eCOnOuliC-
al and successful manner, the fruits of
warmer region. From the garden we
proceeded to the cultivated fields; and
she informed me of the system of hus-
bandry pursued on the estate, the rota-
ton of crops. the management and appli-
cation of manures, the amount of seed
sown, the ordinary yield, and the appro-
priation of the produce, with perspicu-
GUS detail of the expenses and results.
She then undertook to show me the yards
and officer, the byres, the feeding stalls,
the plans for saving, increasing, and man
| aging the manure the cattle for feeding,
for breeding, the milking stock, the pig
gerry, the poultry yard, the stables, the
harness rooms, the implement rooms, the
dairy. She explained to me the process
of making the different kinds of cheese,
and the general management of the milk,
and the mode of feeding the stock, and
then, conducting me into the baliff' S
house, she exhibited to me the farm jour
nal. and the whole systematic model of
keeping the accounts and making the re-
turns, with which she seemed as familiar
as if they were the accounts of her own
wardrobe. This did not finish our grand
tour; for, on my return, she admitted me
into her boudoir, and showed me the Sc
crets of her own admirable housewifery,
IN the exact accounts which she kept of
every thing connected with the dairy. the
market, the table, and the drawing room,
and the servants hall. All this was done
with simplicity and frankness which
showed an absence of all consciousness of
any extraordinary merit in her own de-
partment, and which evidently sprang
solely from kind desire to crafty Gu
riosity on my part, which l hope, under
such circumstances was not unreasona
Bile.
"a short hour after this brought us
into another relation; for the dinner bell
summoned us, and this same lady was
found presiding over brilliant circle Of
the highest rank and fashion with an
ease, elegance, wit, intelligence, and good
humor, with kind attention to every
ones wants and an unaffected concern for
every ones comfort, which would lead
one to suppose that this was her only and
p .culiar sphere. Now l will not say
how many mud puddles we had wadsd
through, and how many MANFRED heaps
we had crossed, and what places we had
explored, and how every farming t~pic
was discussed, but / will say that she
pursued her object without any of that
fas.idiousncss and affec led delicacy which
pass with some persons for refinement,
but which in many cases indicates weak,
if not a corrupt mind.
Nov, do not say that the lady to
whom have referred was herself the
manager of the farm; that rested entire
ly with her husband; but have inten-
ded simply to show how gratifying to
him must h I'VE been the livel interest and
sympathy which she took in concerns
which necessarily SO much engaged his
attention, and how the country would be
Invested of all that dullness and ennus SO
often complained of as inseparable from
it when cordial and practical interest is
taken in the concerns which belong to
rural life. / meant also to show-and
this and many other examples which
have come under my observation emphat-
ically do show-that an interest in and
familiarity with even the most humble
occupations Of agricultural life are not
inconsistent with the highest refnements
of taste, the most improved cultivation
of the mind, and elegance and dignity OF
manners unsurpassed in the highest cir,
cles of society"
/ To this truly English picture (says the
Baltimore American) we add the follow
ing companion piece from Downing's
Horticulturalist, giving a charming
glimpse of an American Lady in the
midst of grounds and shrubbery that
Calypso and her nymphs might have en-
wed, delightfully."- situated, as we venture
to add, on the banks of the Hudson:
"In the midst of the richest agricultu-
raj region of the Northern States lives a
lady-a young unmarried lady-mistress
of herself, of some thousand of acres of
the finest lands, and mansion which is
almost the ideal of taste and refinement.
Very well. Does this lady sit in her
drawing room all dag to receive her Wis
itors? By no means. You will find her
in the morning either on horseback or
driving'a light carriage with pair Of
spirited horses. She explores every cor
ner Of the estate: she visits her tenants,
examines the crops, projects improve
ments, directs repairs, and is thoroughly
mistress of her whole demesne. Her
mansion opens into the most exquisite
garden of flowers and fruits, every one of
which she knows by heart. And yet,
this lady so energetic and spirited in her
enjoyment and management in out of door
matters. is in the drawing roon the most
gentle. the most retiring. the most refined
of her sex.