The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-01-08

rose still struggles in wild unregulated
growth, and where fragrant creepers
climb the tallest trees and year after year
put forth and shed their flowers in un-
needed profnsion. Laurels that have
long since ceased to feel the rcstrainias
hand of man, throw their sturdy branches
across damp, untrodden paths, and the
dense and sombrc foliage scarcely per.
mi,s sunbeam to penetrate the gloomy
wood. In this once beautiful, but now
desolate and oppressive retreat, the great
statesman was accustomed to walk, and
rejoice in his temporary escape from the
hot atmosphere of politics and the vexa'
tions of public life, taking, doubtless, oe-
casionally complacent survey OF his well
cultivated fields through openings in the
surrounding trees. Here was probably
the Dir. h-placc of many of those grand
thoughts and imperishahe truths that
make his works the property, not OF one
age and country only, but ofal ages and
all countries. Here he held friendly in
tcrcoursc with those whom he honored
with his confidence, and here he poured
forth his soul in passionate and exhaust
ing grief for the loss of his only son.
Here, too, in happier days, before the ter
rible convulsions OF Europe had troubled
his spirit, and private sorrows had almost
bowed it to the dust, would assemble the
celebrated characters OF the day, its choic-
est wits and greatest spirits. Here
"Uuier the lofty roof
OF branching elm star proof"
Laurence, and Beauclerc, and Garrick,
and Fox, and Wyndham, and Kepplc'
frequently met in genial companionship.
Here, ".S.r Joshua would discuss with
his admiring host the highest principles
of his art, gaining rather than imparting
instruction in his own peculiar profession
Here Johnson with his uncouth form and
awkward gait, Indifferent to the beauty
around him, would utter his. sententiois
periods or make the grove echo with his
sonorous laugh. Here, too, Lord Broug'
ham often discussed the interests OF the
state, and could complacently survey the
happiness around him. No visitor LEFT
Burke's abode without carrying with him
delightful recollections of the classic
grove in which he had walked with the
philosophic statesman and listened to his
instructive discourse.
While contemplating the country rath
er than the public life Of Burke, We can
not omit to glance at his rural occupa
,ions. We shall sec the man who coult
influence the policy of the state by hi
practical wisdom, subdue the senate by hi
irresistible oratory, or soar into the high
est regions of philosophy, stoop TO the
minutcst details of agriculture, and con
duet with success all its ordinary opera
tions. lie was eminen,ly practical far
mer.
"Farming with him (says Lord Fitz
william) could hardly be called u relaxa
ton, for he would enter into the business
with all the eagerncss, and more than the
usual information, of those who practice
it Tor maintenance. He was seldom
more intent on any subject than whel
discussing questions of agriculture will
practical farmers in his ncighborhood
walking over their lands aud winnin.
their respect and regard, as well by tn,
knowledge he displayed of all the detail
of their profession, as by the plainnes
and courtesy of his manners.'
81 have been u farmer Burke himsel
writes) for twenty seven years, and it is
trade the most precarious in its advanta
rcs, the most liable to losses, and the leas
profitable OF any that is carried on. |
requires ten times more OF labor, Of vigi
lance, of attention, of skill, and, let M
add, of good fortune also, to carry on tn
business with success, than what belong
to any other trade"
He was an experimental as well as
practical farmer, and like Others Of tha
class, sometimes failed in his experiments
lie corresponded with Arthur Young;-
discussed with him the merits Of deel
ploughing and Of drill cultivation; in
quired why he had failed in all attcmp,
to tatten pigs on carrots, with which ves
etable, however, he was more successful
in Convent garden market wither he sen
two wagon loads "of most aromati
smell, firm, and admirably tasted;" 70
which he realized six pounds fifteen shil
lings, paying him better than the fines
crop of wheat, and the back carriage Q
coal ashes paying expenses! In explain
ing at a particular crisis the cause Of
general rise in the price Of commodities
he writes:
AS to the lesser articles, they are lik
the greater; they have followed the for
tune Of the season. Why are fowls s.
dear' lsoli from my yard to jobbe
six yoang lean fowls for four-and-twcnt!
q