The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-01-11

OS'A PASOONOooO4o llNGQ, WudG ECONOMY
they were forced to practice, what few
appliances they had to relieve labor and
promote comfort in their, homes and how
they had to toll and labor from morn till
evening to conquer the forests, to till
lands never before broken by the plough,
and to plant untried seeds in order to
make scant subsistence for themselves
and families. * Their houses were of the
plainest and most primitive character,
with none of the modern appliances to
cheer and alleviate their daily toll, while
their clothing and their furniture were
OF the toughest and plainest character
A modern writer, speaking on this point,
says There are few of the old houses
still standing in the country which have
battled with the storms of hundred
years. These houses have an interior
arrangement suggestive of cold comfort,
and combine but few of the conveniences
for the benefit of the family. y But
little progress had been made in inven-
ton and the arts, and hardly one of the
contrivances for cooking, ana warming
and lighting dwellings was known not
a pound of coal or drop of kerosene
oil had been burned in the country.
No iron stoves were used and no contri-
vances for economizing heat were en-
ployed until DR.. Franklin invented the
iron-trame fireplace, which still bears
his name. Ali the cooking and warming
was done by the aid of fire kindled upon
the brick hearth, or in the brick oven.
Plne-knots or tallow candles furnished
the light for the long winter evenings
and sanded floors supplied the place of
rugs and carpets. Water for household
purposes was drawn from deep wells by
.'" sweeps" or gotten from springs often a
long distance from the house. + No
form of pump was used in this country
so far as can learn, until after the com
mencement Of the present century. There
were no friction matches in those early
days, by aid of which fire could be
speedily kindled, and if the fire upon the
hearth went out overnight, and the
finder was damp, or there was no finder
at hand, the alter native remained of wad-
ing through the snow and cold mile or
so to borrow brand from the nearest
neighbor." Even I can well remember
when there were no matches, and that
fire had sometimes to be sent for to
neighbours. These things are mentioned
to show some of the hardships and trou-
bles of our noble forefathers, and to in
cite us to initiate their selfdenying ex-
amPles. They struggled on until they
established themselves and their children
In independence and comfort.
l do not thus write because I doubt
the moral courage and physical endur-
ance Of Virginians, but every one appre-
ciates sympathy and encouragement, and
1t lncites them to new exArtion, portiou
larry II they are shown good reasons for
exertion. The people of Virginia have
been tried in too many fiery furnaces for
any one to doubt their metal now. Each
time they have come out brighter by the
test, if that is possible, and they have
ever met troubles, and trials, and dan
gers with a steady step and undaunted
front. Virginia has seen many reyerses
and has had hard experiences, but we
are sanguine that a prosperous and bright
future awaits her. Let none of her sons
or daughters despond we earnestly be-
lleve that Nil Desperandum Est is far
more applicable to Virginia now than it
was to Rome in the zenith of her glory.
One more word to the farmers personal
to myself. 1 have endeavored to serve
you faithfully for the four years and
nearly half of my official existence,
which I am admonished, by the muta-
tons of parties in our State, is now com
ing to close. In all weathers, irrespec-
tive of my precarious health, have re-
paired from my farm near the city to my
office, and in the period mentioned have
never taken but one week of relaxation.
! have worked for you day and night,
for L have not been able to perform my
reports except by night work, which 1 am
at this moment performing. Ny CORE
spondence has become so large that much
OF my time has been consumed in carry
ing it on. l am not without my reward
Tor have received SO many testimonials
from those [ have been serving of their
appreciation of my labors that l feel COM
Pensated for my exertions in their be-
halt. While the office I hold is in no
sense political, and has no patronage at
tached to it, and has never been in any
respect welded for political purposes by
the incumbent, and while no politician
or partisan, never attending a political
meeting, l have, as duty and a matter
OF conscience, exercised the sacred right
OF voting my opinions.
L shall ever cherish the commentator
my fellow-farmers have bestowed on my