Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-04-25
AGRICUL TURAL

The Dignity OF he Farmers Profession -Fton ma
address delivered heofc The American Wig and Clinso
nhc Src;ees uf he colhge ol New jersey. The 2ilh
June. ls49 by The Iioh ,Ino Ih,mpsoo Mason. Of
Washington Co. Nil. rxffaet the following beautiful
tribute The Agricultural profession. The orator dc.
pfecaies the practice universally adopted # preparing
erefy youth who displays Signs genius. for what
called the learned professions, and adds:
1T il great err Ia suppos that there are no pnr
suit in life worth Of the high calling of scholar and
student, her than the learned pfntssns. OF neccss
~ bu, small portion If ma kind fluid profitable en-
pspymeit as prnesso al men and certainly n could
have been the design o the Great Author II he universe
that nine enlhs OF the human family should be
endowed with nt cna faculties for other putp 81
than that they sh MD rm,in reyfr dormant. OF dis
charge the functions of the brute. am aware that there
enemi,s Of human dghs, who assert aud nalu-
tain apostle dcifiue. aud lao adv ncse The slavery
and dhasem'n' Of he human mind as better suited 10
the sbrnt pnttinn ~ ceiy. "ths hswers Of wood
ad drawers 81 wser.' Thanks be t. the Giv,r f ali
End. that we live ~ country in whose ii such duc
,rnes find r,a. and in sge that will ch Il
and hligh the budding 81 -ucii sentiments.
The nj ID II man find spmsihing 10 employ il 10
every pursuit uf life however humble and every occu.
paii n can b. elevated and successfully followed
by invoking The aid Of the meuta faculties What pur
suit ards better field for he stud, u science and Gr
The general Impr vement OF thu mind. that enghipu
ed system 81 sgiiculluel OF all The occupations which
can employ the attention # man. affords greaer
fsces for the Developments Of the nuhesi faculties Of
the mind and heart Than agriculture None is su fee
firm temp a'ions: hnnor BILE; none attended
with more hsppnes; none better adaped Ia the cult
vaion Of social pleasures. of aec oraie and recp
toral merchsl ge Of zen ment and npnnn; 81 we
fitted 10 ell, waite aud expand IDEAS Of the Deny or Ia
promote love ior and an nbedf Ia his great law
'Give me. ndulgeni gods with mind srrene
And gUlltless hesft, 10 range the sylvan sceue;
No splendid p,vrrty. M smiling care.
No wcli-m"d hate. ~ sets lie grandeur there;
The pleasing ohINcls useful heueh's sugges,
The sense is ravish'i and The spnl = bl, at;
On every thorn delightful WIDEN gnws
Ia every rill a sweet instruction flows
Yet there who woud cnnsign this ennohlpp
pursuit 10 ses nd vassals and clse up this BRIGHT ave
nue. which leads TO efa menl and WISDOM against 4
but the most DE- gndid Of our species.
Agriculture and civilization have through all lime al
vanced han! in hand and have ever been inseparahlp
cmp inons; and when the trmer is sutf rcd bv peo-
pie to anguish II is certain Indication that th.v are In
danger Of relapsi7g oio state u barbrsm and that rc
hnemen science and literature. and all he arts uf peace
have atiainrd their acme, and have begun ard mus
thence forwafd continue 10 tecede. The copdl,on Of tn,
nations Of The earth at present attest The ruth Of ihes
remarks and they ~ equally applicable the nations
antiquity. The ancient Romans IN he days Of hei
g"y and power We're devoted 10 agriculture ,hqt hei
most Illus riuus commanders sometimes cali d from
the plough. Their refined AID enlightened senator
commonly res'd"d in the country, an1 cultivated thu
ground with their hands, and among all classes
society. 20 be g"d husbandnan Was accounted th
highest praise. noble Roman was oyerw hplmed witt
tears on being Obliged accept The cunsuship bee US
w.ulJ deprive him for one wear Of In. opn,r,uov q
cniiva'ng Ills fields.
Shakespeare. with as much ruth as beauty SAYS il
regard la a fsluilal and rural solitude.
"Ha'h not old custom made his life more sweet
Thin that nf painted pimp Are moi these woods
More free from peril than lie envinus cnur
Aud This our life, exempt from public haunt,
Finds tongues in rees. hooks in The rnnnioe brooks,
Sermons IN sones, and god in every ihne."
~ The mechanic S, every one of them To a greater
hiss degree. governed by scientific principles ran
saHMa be successfully pursued without Certain amour
Il mental cultivation. No limits can he assign d To- III
improvements which might be made in 'ry ART. wer
The lights Of science and Of edncaIin allowed 10 sln
upn them and that which is nov hut PROFESS of III
and painful imitation. might by tn app,alin ii cal
iivaie mind, bee 'r- pleasing Study. which wonld b
consfanily drvropog ,me prnc ,lr in science au
furnishing fresh find for the mind IN feed up H. Irnr
assnme the p sot.'hni education IS de- spd hy rny