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

ing and enforcing them. 1t IL recorded
Of Adam Smith, that on his return to
Scotland from visit to London, he de-
clared that Burke, Of all tho public men
with whom he conversed, was the only
one who could comprehend, or be induc'
cd to take the slightest interest in his
theories. We cannot resist the inclina-
,ion to transcribe, in an illustration OF this
rnnark, an admirable passage from the
paper to which we have before referred,
in which he proves the interests OF the
Warmer and the laborer to be identical:
"In the case OF the farmer and the Ia
borer, their rinlerests are always the same,
aud it is absolutely impossible that their
free contracts can be onerous to either
party. 1t is the interest of the farmer
that his work should be done with effect
and CELEBRITY and that cannot be unless
the laborer is well fed, and otherwise
found with such necessaries of animal life,
according to his habitudes, as may keep
the body in full force, and the mind gay
and cheerful. For OF all the instruments
Of his trade, the labor Of man (what the
ancient writers have called the instrumen-
tam rocate) is that one on which he is
most TO rely for the repayment OF his
capital. The other two, semiroedte in
this ancient classifcation-that is, the
working stock Of cattle-and the instru.
menium mutum, such as carts, plonghs,
spades, and so forth, though not at all in.
considerable themselves, are very much
inferior in utility or in expense; or with.
ont given proportion Of the first are
nothing at all. For in all things what.
ever, the mind is the most valuable and
most important; and in this scale the
whole of agriculture is in natural and
lust order; the beast is as an informing
principle to the plough and cart: the Ia.
borcr is as reason to the beast; and the
farmer is as a thinking and presiding
principle to the laborcr. An attempt to
break this chain of subordinatiOn in any
part is equally absurd; but the absurdity
is most mischcvious in practical opera
ton, where it is the most casy-that is
the most subject to ar erroneous judg
ment.
ut is plainly more the farmers inter
est that his men should thrive, than that
his horses should be well fed, sleek
plump. and fit for use, or tha" th", h''
wagon and ploughs should be strong ant
in good repair, and fit for service.
On the other hand, If the farmer ceases
to profit of the laborcr. and that the cap
ital is not continually manured and fruc
tilted, it is impossible that he should con
time that abundant nutrilncnt and cloth
ing aud lodging proper for the protection
of the instruments he employs.
II is therefore the first fundamental in
tercst of the laborer that the farmer
should have full incoming profit OF hi
labor. The proposition is selt.cvidcnt
and nothing but the malignity, perverse
ness, aud ill-governed passions of man
kind, and particularly the envy they bea
to each others prosperity, could prevent
,hcir seeing and acknowledging it, will
thankfulness to the wise aud benign dis
poser of all things, who obliges men
whether they will or not, in pursuing
their own selfish interests, to connect th'
general good with their own individual
success. rH
There are still a few old people livin!
at Baconstield who remember Mr.. or Esq
Burke, as he is additionally spoken ther
His poorer ncighbors knew him only a
the country gentleman, the indulgcn
landlord, the sympathizing friend, th'
generous benefactor. There was some
thing peculiarly grateful to Burke in fire.
qucnt intercourse with the poor. 1t en-
larged his knowl,d &c Of human characte
aud enabled him to speak with authorit.
on many questions affecting the interest
Of the humber classes; and he never los
an opportunity Of probing their minds, o
hssitated "to survey the mansions Of sor
row and pain-to take the guauge ant
dimension. OF misery, depression and con
tempt" The simple people Of his neigh
borhood appear to have but faint con
ccption Of the greatness Of the man wh'
so familiarly conversed with them. The.
often heard indeed that he received 'grca
people in his house; but who or wha
Mr.. Burke was beyond the limits of Bca
consfeld, they little cared to know or t.
inquire. No knowledge of his fam
could have increased their attachment I,
his person, and his Importance in thei
estimation was sufficiently symbolized ii
the carriage and four horses, by which HI
, sometimes took his journeys to the Inc
tropolis. .
Early in the year 1897, Burke rcmov
cd from Beaconsticld to Bath, for the ben
ctit Of the waters; but the hand Of dealt
was then upon him, and he returned Il
his seat in May only to die. The toll