The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-11-21
CITY CountrvLtfe.

We have alluded lately to the preference Of city
over country life In the North, and the opposite
taste In the South In the North, the tendency OF
men to congrogate in cities is universally noted
IL Ia true that, the banks Of the Hudson and other
beautiful streams are lined with picturesque and
sometimes splendid dwellings, but these only
country seats. places Of retreat for the summer
solstce, not the homes Of the occupants. The
Northern system of labor is too shifting and unre-
liable to make agriculture an inviting and perma-
Dent pursuit to any but those who adopt il from
cessty. We have seen by late accounts from
Northern papers that In spite of the panic and the
prospect of starvation, fifty thousand laborers per-
sisted In remaining in New York, when the ooun-
try was actually suffering for the want of cultiva
tors. Even when hands can be obtained on farris
they do not embrace it permanent employ
ment, but, naturally enough, desire to have farms
of their own, and soon as they can accumulate
a SUN Iarge enough to buy few acres, leave their
employer to lock out for new help" The North
ern farmers, therefore, are principally those who
pursue that vocation from necessity, and whilst
industrious, frugal and virtuous are not educated,
nor even highly intelligent persons. Commerce
and manufactures absorb all the energies Of the
free States, and the talent, capital, enterprise me-
chancal skill and labor of the North are conccn-
Notcu ia tltlos Inc aDIeSL lawyers, pnySl-
Claus and diTfnes of the North are always found in
tho cities. The cities the great centres not
only of wealth, but of education and refinement.
both of Nind and manners. The people of the
country, in the free States, whilst more robust,
moral, virtuous, and happy, generally inper-
fectly educated, awkward in manners, and con
slant butt for the ridicue Of the dapper little
jewellers of the towns The most superficial Oh
he St- ha in .h
spect which the Southern States present. The
fixed and stable labor of the South gives to asri-
culture permanence and dignity which it posses
SEES nowhere else in the United States City life in
the South is the subordinate life, and we hope may
long continue to be SO. The Northern sneers at
country folk" whatever point tho rustIcity and
boorishness of the rural districts there may give
TO such filings would be ridiculous in this Iatitude
1t is In the country portion of Virginia that we
find the pure and unmixed Virginia character OF
oid"n times, the hospitality the warm hearts. the
blended grace and freedom of social intercourse
The stranger who visits the most secluded Viz
ginia plantation, will be astonished to find. in
plain dwelling, surrounded by the primey.l TO
rest, and far from the hum of cities, a degree Of
Intelligence, refinement, aud courtly ease, that
would grace the most elegant saloons of Paris or
London combined with an elevation of character
ana purity of nature that are not often found in
the atmosphere OF courts. There is no class of
agriculturists in the world which surpasses the
planters of Virginia in intelligence, dignity of de-
pertinent, and fine moral and physical develop
ment.
In other professions the country of the South
Is fully up to the cities. At the bar in the church
and In medicine, the country representatives are
fully equal to those of the cities in eIoquepcc.
learning, talent and efficiency. The great states
men of the land have been generally from the
country; Washington, Jefferson, Madison Monroe.
and others, whose names will readily occur to eve
ry reader. We trust that the future will work
no change in this respect No accession of ma.
teriai wealth, no populous hives of commerce and
manufacturing industry, can ever compensate yjr-
ginia for diHinution of the influence and re-
spcct of her agricultural character There is
however, nothing inconsistent or conflicting in
these various departments of enterprise Manufac.
lures aid agriculture by bringing market to its
own doors. and the experience of England pr.ye.
that the plough, the ship, and the LOOM are mate
rial helps and supports to each other