Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1872-11-29

few cheap instruments than one spent il
lounging about the grocery, the bar.roOm, o
possibly the low grOg-shop, in an atmospher,
reeking with foul, nauseating vapors, engag
cd in idle conversation, or in exchanging bit
of gossip and scandal! How much more en-
nobling are evenings spent in this manner
and mornings consumed in observing the
freshness which Nature wears after a nights
rePose, than evenings squandered in dancing
feasting, &C., or in witnessing the Jim Grow
performances Of some minstrel band, and
forenoons dissipated in yawning and sleeping
Oft the effects of tho previous nights carous.
al! Mankind, it is true. are not purely in.
tellectual and moral beings. They are en-
dowed with social faculties which must be
exercised and cultivated in order that they
may receive their full measure of happiness
but these are not the places to do it,-espe.
clally in the billiard saloon and corner grog.
shop. The study of the natural sciences
aided by good cabinet of specimens which
every farmers son or daughter might be pos
sessed Of, offers an unrivaled opportunity for
social intercourse and the interchange of
friendly visits; and these, with the field ex-
cursions which might be undertaken, furnish
an inexhausible source of amusement for the
young of both sexes, which will never cloy
and never disgust
VI not less enjoyment to the student will
be the pleasure arising from the exercise of
the mind in learning the laws of Nature
but this need not be spoken of further
The study of the natural sciences will have
a great tendency to cause its lovers to be-
come moral and respectable members Of so.
ciety. The reasons for this effect are obvi-
Gus. First, it would prevent idleness in a
great measure-a fruitful cause of proAigacy
and immortality. Second, it would keep the
mind engaged in interesting and elevating labor
-thegreatcerti6cate for respectabity Last
ly, everything in Nature points to an eternal,
pre-existing cause--to an omnipotent Creator
A person who is familiar with the principles
of the natural sciences, sees that every OBJ
ject OF Nature-animate or inanimate, has a
certain office to fill and certain duties to per-
form to support and execute the laws of the
universe. He sees that all things on earth
mutually support each other, and all directly
or indirectly increase the enjoyment of man
by satisfying his desires or administering to
his necessities. A person thus informed,
reads discourse on the immortality of his
soul in every object he meets and even
in those beautiful evidences of the great
Designers skill, the humble howerets.
"Whose voiceless lips are living preachers,
Each cup pulpit and each leaf book"
10 me it seems impossible that person who
is acquainted with Natures laws can be an
infdel.
In conclusion l would say to farmers, give
your children, if possible, an opportunity to
become acquainted with the natural sciences.
Perhaps you will think that you have no
time or money to spend in this manner but
this is erroneous in measure. A very small
sum would do a great amount in this direct
ton; and is there not much time and money
spent by farmers and their sons, especially
among the wealthier classes, that never
bring an adequate return? Are there not
many useless articles, unnecessary luxuries,
and even silly habits INDUCED in by the
poorer class of farmers, which consume a
large amount of time and money that might
better be employed in the way above indi-
Gated ? If the vast sum, dissipated yearly in
these United States by farmers for tobacco
and alcohol in all their forms, was used in
procuring for their children scientific works
and few chemical and philosophical instru-
ments, what great change would soon occur
in the intellecutual and moral character of
the people, and how much would their men.
tai and physical enjoyment be increased.
Not only this, but there are thousands of dol
lars spent by farmers, especially the wealth.
ier class, for gewgaws and frippcry in the
shape Of wearing apparel, for luxuries to
please the senses, at the circus or negro con-
cert, and often for what is termed light read
ing, which is about the same as squandered
and which, if used in giving their children
scientific knowledge, would vastly increase
the strength of the nation-both financially
and intellectually.
Possibly you will say that if the boys are
allowed to study these things they will be
above hard labor, and there will be none to
perform the large amount of labor required
to clear the land of trees, stumps and stones,
drain marshes, &c, But this, mainly, is q |
needless fear. Mental and moral discipline |
does not in the least tend to make the recipi- |
ents less Industrious. In general, the most |
diligent people the world over, are those who |
are possessed of the most general knowledge. |
However, it is not necessary that the sons
of farmers should be required to perform all |
this labor. Give them time to cultivate |
their minds, and employ in their stead the
vast amount Of muscular strength possessed |
by the horde of immigrants who yearly in
troduce themselves among us. Thus while
our farms are being fitted to be titled scien-
t6cally, aud with the use of machinery, these
foreigners will become Americanized and ed.
uCated in great degree, and fitted to become
citizens. In time, as they and
their descendants will cease to be farm labor.
ers aud become owners of farms themselves,
their places will be supplied by foreigners
constantly emigrating from the tbickly settled
portions of the old world. Thus the work
will progress till our whole countrv Ia under