Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-03-08

have heard him state with precision the descent
of fayorilo native breed ofhOrses, with all thu
characteristic points Of a good animal and o.
anuiher the question relative to The indigenous
origin Of Indan curn name these hmilia
instances. which now occur 10 me, among ih,
rccollcctions Of the social board. Several u
you, my friends, could greatly enlarge the list
In fact, whether as a citizen, patriot, OF a
practica philosopher, MI Websters mind was
powerfully drawn to agriculture. Could h,
have chosen his precise position in life, think
it would have been that Of an extensive land.
holder, conducting the operations Of larger
farm. Al Oxford he said-"Whatcver else
may tend to enrich and beauiify society, that
which feeds and clothes comfortably the mass Of
mankind should always be regarded as the great
Foundation Of national prosperity" In the be-
ginning Of that addss IN the state house. 10
which have referred, he said--''l regard ag-
riculiure rs the hadiRg micfsa Of society. -.
| have been familiar with its operations from my
youth, and have always looked upon the sub
iect with a lively and deep Interest," At the
meeting Of The Norfolk agricultural society at
Dedham, he called agriculture ''ihe main pur-
smi oflife." Wcghly words from such sourcel
What Mr.. Webster considered the pleading
/ interest Of society" and "the great foundation
Z of national prosperity might well occupy his
time, his thoughts. and his profound attention.
Before popular bodies he spoke of it in It's eco
nomical relations but in narrower circles and
on proper occasions he delighted lOtlwell on its
sublime philosophy.
And what wor,her theme, my friends, can
occupy the must exalted intellect, what subject
Of thought Where in the natural world do
we come so near The traces of that ineilable
Power, which, in the great economy of vegeia-
ton, hangs orchard and grove and forest with
the pompous drapery Of May, aud strips them
to their siiyerinn branches in November; which
Jays out universal nature as We see it now in
this cold winding.sheei ofsnow, not 10 sleep the
sleep of death, but To waken her again by the
concert OF birds and warhling brooks and the
sol breezes Of spring; and which when man
cries 10 Heaven for his daily bread, instead Of
giving him stone, smites the marble clods Of
winter all round the globe with his creative
wand, aud bids them bring forth grass for the
cattle and herb for the service Of man, and wine
that maketh glad the heart Of map, and oil that
canselh his face to shine, and bread which
strenglheneth the heart Of man.
meant, my friends, to have said word of
the delight taken by Mr.. Webster ia the health.
fol and inyigoratiug sports Of the forest, the
field, and the sea, with what keenness and sue
cess he followed them, how well he understood
them. In these he found his favoriio.r elaxaiion
from the anxieiies Of office, aud the labors Of
his profession. They were TO him diroraOn
in the proper sense ofthe word. They diuerfed,
turned away his mind from the great cafes Of
life, and furnished him an exhilaraling occupa-
ton, which, without mental strain, stimulated
and refreshed his intellectual powers. To these
sports he brought all the science and mastery
which their nature admits. An apt pupil in
the school Of old Isaac Walton, he was entirely
familiar with the anglers curious lore. The
diileren, kinds Of fish that ill our waiers-iheir
habits, their resorts, their relations 10 each 9th
Ell the birds which frequent our shores,
marshes and uplands, with every variety Of
larger game, had been subjected by him to ac-
curaie investigation, particularly in reference
to their points of resemblance to their European
congeners. II was no, easy to ask him ques-
lion upon any topic Of This kind, 10 which a sat
isiac,ory reply was not ready.
hope, my friends you will moi think am
dwelling on lriles. You all know how deeply
the taste for these manly sports entered into
Mr.. Webster's character. The Americans, ms
people-at least the professional and mercan-
tile classes-have too little considered the inn
poriance Of healthful, generous recreation. -
They have not learned the lesson contained 10
the very word which teaches that the WORKOUT
man is re-oreaied, made over again by the sea
sonable relaxation Of the strained faculiies.-
The old world learned this lesson years ago,
and found out, CIoroj. II, 1879 that as the bow
always bent will at last break, 50 the man, for.
ever on the strain Of thought and action, will
at last go mad or break down. Thrown upon
new coniinenI-eager to do the work of twenty
centuries in two, the q nplo- American popula-
ton has over-worked and is daily over-working
itself. From morning ill nght--from January
10 December-brain and hands--eyes and iin-
gers--ihe powers Of the body aud the powers Of
the mind-are in spasmodic, merciless activity.
There is no lack of few iasleless and soulless
designations, which are called amusement, but
noble athletic sports, manly outdoor exercises
are too little cultivated ia town or country.