The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-01-18
New England Industry.


have seen no class of people among whom
more efficient system of industry and econ-
omy Of time was established, than the agri-
cultural population of New England. Their
possessions are not sufficiently large to allow
waste of any description. Hence every ar
ticle seems to be carefully estimated, and up
piled to its best use. Their mode of life is
us favorable to cheerlulness and health as it
is eminent in industry.
The farmer, rising with the dawn, attends
to those employments which arc necessary to
the family, and proceeds early with his sons
or assistants to their departments Of daily
labor. The birds enlivcn them with their
songs, and lambs gambol, while the patient
OK marks the deep furIow, or the grain is
committed to the earth, or the tall grass is
humbled beneath the scythe, or the stately
corn freed from the intrusion of weeds. Fit
ting tasks arc arc proportioncd to the youn-
ger ones, that no hand may be idle.
In the interior OF the house an equal dill
gence prevails. The elder daughters take
willing part with the mother in every dom
estic toll. The children, who are too small
to be useful, proceed to school, kindly lead.
ing the little one who can scarce walk. Per
hips the aged grandmother. welcome and
bonored inmate, amuses the ruddy infant,
that she may release q stronger hand for
toll, The sound of the wheel and the yigor-
Gus stroke of the loom are heard. The
heeces Of the sheep are wrought up, amid
the cheerful song of the sisters. Remember.
ing that the fabrics which they produce
will guard those whom they love from the
blasts OF winter, the bloom deepens on their
cheek with the pleasing consciousness OF use
ful industry
In the simple and abundant supply OF
a table. from their own resources, which
shallrefrcsh those who return weary from
the field, all are interested.
The boy who brings his mother the fresh
vegetables. selects a salad which his own
hand cultivated, with some portion Of the
pride with which Dioclesian pointed to the
cabbages which he had reared. The daught-
er, who gathers treasures from the nests oil
the poultry she feeds, delights to tell their
history, and TO number her young ducks as
they swim forth boldly in the pond. The
bees whose hives range near the door. add
u desert to their repast, and the cows, feed
ing quietly on rich pastures, yield pure nu.
triment for the little ones. Their bread
they have sown. and reaped and gathered
into barns : the flesh is from their own
aocks-the fruit and nuts FROM their own
trees. The children know when the frst
berries ripcn, and when the chestnut will be
in its thorny sheath in the forest. The hap
py farmer, mt his independent table, need
not envy the luxury of kings.
The active matron strives to lessen the ex-
penses of her husband and to increase their
gains. She sends to market the wealth OF
her diary, and the surplus produce OF her
loom. She instructs her daughters by their
diligence to have purse Of their own, from
which to furnish the more delicate parts Of
their wardrobe, and to relieve the poor. In
the long evenings Of winter, she plies the
needle, or knits stockings with them, or
maintains the quiet music Of the flax.whccl,
from whence linen is prepared for the family.
She incites them never TO eat the bread OF
idlencss, and as they have been trained 10
will they train others again for the seeds
Of industry are perennial.
The father and brothers, having recess
from the tolls of the buster seasons, read
aloud such books as are procured from the
public library, and knowledge, thus entering
in with industry and domestic order, forms q
hallowed alliance. The most sheltered cor
ner by the ample iirc-side is reserved for the
hoary grand parents, who in plenty and
pious content pass the eve Of a well.spent
life.
The sacred hymn and prayer, rising daily
from such HOUSEHOLDS, unacceptable to Heaven.
To their humble scenery, some Of our wisest
and most illustrious men, leaders Of the
people, sagcs and interpreters of the law Of
Tod, look back tcnderly to their birthplace.
They love to acknowledge that in industry
and the discipline Of early years was laid the
foundation Of their greatness.