The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-18

farmers has ever attained a high degree OF
| wealth, power, or civilization. The plough,
the mattock, and the sickle teach little beyond
a teaching has never raised up a community to
all appreciation of the arts, to the profound con-
temptations of philosophy, or the vast combina-
tons of craftsmanship. The seats of empire,
of civilization and refinement, have never been
in the great interior steppes and table-lands
of the old continent, however rich and prolific
their soil may have been. Here, in Central
Africa, have been the perpetual abodes of misera-
BILE ignorance and hopeless imbecility; and in
Central Asia, too, oten-as far back as history
is guide-the herdsmen and husbandmen of
Tartary have become the migratory robbers and
destroyers of more civilized nations 1t is upon
the rock bound peninsulas Of Southern Europe
vant-upon the narrow sea-girt GASES Of Ara
bia-n the valley of the Euphrates, encom-
passed by seven CULTS and arms of the Sep
that we have seen in ancient times, the seats
and centres of power and civilization. In
modern times history teaches 4 similar lesson.
Its chief function, however, is to distribute the
products of other kinds of industry, especially
those of agriculture. 1t is alike the interest
and tendency of commerce to increase these
products. 1t is thus we have seen in the pre-
sent day the wealth Of the merchant employed
in introducing the lights of science into practi-
cal husbandry This fact is happy augury of
the future, not only as promising an increase of
the products ofagriculture, but as indicating the
removal of that narrow and repulsive jealousy
with which the prudent, saving, and laborious
farmer is apt to regard the more dashing and
sumptuous merchant. 1t is Indispensable to a
high state of intelligence, wealth, and morals
that there should be diffusion of the va
rious arts in the community. Neither liberty,
nor education, nor social economy can attain
their highest development but in countries
which embrace variety Of professions, and of
course an enlargement of knowledge and gene
raj liberalization of feeling and judgment.
We have been led to these remarks by look
ing over two very clever addresses recently de-
livered at Agricultural celebrations. The one
is by CHARLES THEODORE RUSSELL, of Bos-
ton, pronounced before the Agricultural Society
of Westboro', in September. 1t consists Of an
interesting history of the agricultural progress
of Mass achusetts during the last half century,
and abounds in curious and instructive facts.
The other was delivered by SIDNEY G. FISHER,
in October, before the Philadelphia Society for
Promoting Agriculture. 1t is written with great
elegance of style, and presents many striking
and suggestive trains of thought. We quote
the following passage as an example, affording,
at the same time, an illustration of portion
of the preceding observations:
Whatever may be the cause, whether the
higher profits which it is found may be obtained
from the soil by scientific management the brighter
prospects opening to the farmer by extending
commerce and growing manufactures, the large
accumulations of capital in cities, content to
seek in the soil security vita moderate returns,
rather than greater gains with risk the taste for
rural life which is happily increasing among US,
certain it is that agriculture in this country has as
sumed of late years new dignity and importance.
The cultivated mind of the country is more and
more attracted to it. Farming is becoming
scientific and skilful 1t has ceased to be the
occupation exclusively of the rude and ignorant
Its profits its pleasures its heatbful labors
stantly leadlng wealth, knoWleoBe, ana teilheHehi
to the beautiful of Nature to the freedom and
independence, the peace and quiet of the farm.
The means Of intercourse between town and
country, so greatly increased of late years, have
tended much to diffuse and strengthen this taste
Whilst they have enhanced the value of land and
the profits of its cultivation, they have removed
many of the inconvenience of country life. To
live in the country is no longer to live isolated from
the refinements of the city the pleasures of So
ciety. A few hours in comfortable car trans
ports now from regions, heretofore regarded as
remote and almost inaccessible, into the midst Of the
hustle and business Of town. The consequence has
been that many persons who possess both capital
and knowledge have been induced 10 devote them
selves TO the cultivation of the soil Their influence
is seen in the more intellectual character which
agriculture has recently assumed, in the greater
attention and interest which il excites, in the num-
Der and importance Of agricultural societies, and
in the excellence and variety Of agricultural jour
nails. II is seen also in the highly cultivated farms,
the improved stock, and the superior styl of build
ing, now frequently met with, not merely in the
ncghborhood of cities, but in distant and retired
pa rita of the country