The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1855-05-12
COMMUNICATIONS
Agriculture.

LI
Editors Of the 0pelousas Patriot:
In the science and refinement Of Agriculture. IN,
State is lamentably deficient. And this is to be ~.
GREETED, for the reason that nothing affords q mora
infallible indication of the degree of refinement Of a
people than the state of Agriculture.
History teaches that o love for the peaceful arts o.
husbandry will always bring its concomitants-free
dom from political discussions, and the diffusion Of
literature and general knowledge. There seems 10
be IN influence peculiarly persuasive in Agriculture.
that softens the rugged part of mans nature, and ,by
an easy transition changes him from a barbarian 70
a civilized and enlightened being. In every cline.
in whatever rank or condition of life man may be
placed, if devoted to rural pursuits, his inclination
and character will be wholly antagonistic to that
restless spirit of adventure and chivalry which has
been the chief cause of wars. Indeed, no occupation
or business Of life is more suitable to promote tho
comfort and peaceful happiness of man than Agd.
culture. In whatever phase we consider it-whetheY
as an agreeable or as a necessary employment-it u
an inexhaustible source Of pleasure and profit ohm
who pursues it intelligently. M
From out the soil proceeds every luxury and
necessary of life. And it is but natural that man
should cling with a strong attachment to the Alma
Mater which sustains his being. There are treasures
hidden beneath the surface of Mother Earth that an
more priceless than gold or the richest gems. Thst
agency in matter which produces vegetation-thsa
wondrous combination of substances which causes
the bursting of the seed and thence all the varioua
forms of germindtion-mnst ever remain a mysterv
to the ~inquiring mind of man. 1t is doubtless one Or
those limits to human knowledge which the fiat Of
the Deity has irrevocably fixed. The solemn injunc.
1 tim Thua far pha1k fho1 m ond uo Tnr$Io. I.-.
stands before the presumptuous curiosity Of man.
which would pry into the secret springs of nature.
Aside from the solid benefits of Agriculture. thera
are other considerations which would make it attrac.
tive to him who seeks a life of contentment and sub
s%tantial happiness. 1t affords an instance Of that
rarest combination on earth--a ~mingling together Of
the Useful and the Beautiful. Not only to the
critical eye of the naturalist are the beauties Of Agd.
culture revealed, bnt every man Of Gods creation is
free to admire the infinite wisdom OF Providence =
here exhibited. YM.
From the earliest ages to the present. we find the
greatest minds, elevated to the most dignifed posi-.
tons in society, seeking retirement and relaxation
from the cares of life in that quiet life which il
always the reccmpense Of the Agricultural. Who.
that has studied the classics. will not call to mind
Ilo,ace's fe!icitous description OF his Sabine farm,
Combining a comic mixture of LuInor and serioua
thought, it is exceedingly entertaining to the reader.
And Virgil, too, that amiablc, enchanting poet, that
sung in such melliluous verses of the beauties Of
The ~springing grass, the lowing herd,
The babbling brock, the warbl,ng birdt"
Nothing, in the whole category of works Of the
Imagination, can be more exunisitcly beautiful than
Virgils rural poems. Without fault and without
blcmish, his measure flows in That enIaptnring strain
which constitutes the very acme of poetry. And
certainly No Object r'ore pleasing nr elevated could
attract The smiies Of the fairy Daud Of the MUSES..
IARAEp.
Portrait Pairing.
Editors Of IKE Cpe,ousas Pa:riot:
We have again avaled ourselves Of the opportunity
of visiting the studio of Mr.. ingalls,, and have been
forcihly struck with his paintings. His representa-
tations. q, well ~ the drapery and finish, are indeed
excellent. We would advise all who intend at any
time to have their lkenesses. or those of any Of their
families, taken, to call on Mr.. Ingalls,, who has now
removed to Washington, and taken rooms at tho Gait
House. His stay will be giprt in the Parrish; and
those who now neglect so good an opportunity will
regret it-Feeling assured that 50 good 8 picture, at
80 small 4 cost, will not likely be had again. We ask
our friends at WASHINGTON to visit MIR. ~Ingalls'g stu.
do and see his representations Of several prominent
living citizens, and especially that Of our old and late
lellow-citi2en, Capt. Gordon. painted from o mini,.
ture Dagnerreotype. CLINTON, +