Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-01-17
IT'S SUPERIORITY IS GUARANTEED.
The Poet Whittier on Farming

At Farmers Institute held in Danyers,
from John G.. Whittier, in answer to con-
CALCULATIONS extended by Essex county agri-
cultural society This letter is so interest
ing and contains so many words of eneour-
agement to farmers, that coming from the
source it does will give it far wider read
ing and interest than the small circle to
which it was originally addressed -
OAK KNOLL, 18th month, 30th day, loSs.
DEAR FRIEND Thy letter conveying the
congratulations and kind wishes of the Es
sex County Agricultural Society, at its meet
ing on the 2sth inst have received with
no common satisfaction. No birthday has
ever given me more pleasure. My ancestors
since lG40 have been farmers in Essex
county. | was early initiated into the
mysteries of farming, as it was practiced
seventy years ago; and worked faithfully on
the Old Haverhill homestead until at the age
of thirty years, was compelled to leave it,
greatly to my regret.
Ever since, if 1 have envied any body, it
has been the hale, strong farmer, who could
till his own acres, and if he needed help
to lead the work himself, | have lived to
see great and favorable change in the farm
ing population of Essex cou rty. The curse
of intemperance is now almost unknown
among them the rum seller has no mortgage
on their lands. As a rule they are intelli-
gent. well informed and healthily interested
in public affairs, self-respectfuls and respected
independent land holders fully entitled, if
any class is. to the name of gentlemen.
1t may be said that they are not million
aires and that their annual gains are small.
But on the other hand the farmer rests Sc
cure while other occupations and professions
are in constant fear of disaster. His dealing
directly and honestly with the Almighty is
safer than speculation; his life Is no game of
chance, and his investments in the earth are
better than in stock companies and syndi
Gates.
As TO profits, if our farmers could care less
for the comforts of themselves and their
families, if they could consent to live as their
ancestors once lived and as the pioneers in
new countries ns " live. they could with their
present facilities, no doubt double their in
come. But what pitful gain this would be
at the expense of the decenoles and refine
ments which make life worth living. No
better proof of real gain can be found than
the creation of pleasant homes for the COM
fort of age and the happiness of youth.
When the great English critic, Mathew
Arnold, was in this country on returning
from a visit in Essex County. he remarked
that. while the land looked TO him rou Oh and
unproductiye, the landlords houses seemed
neat and often elegant with an air of pros
peritv abou them. But where" he asked.
do the tenants, the working people liver
He seemed surprised when | told him that
the tenants were the landlords and the work
ers the owners
Let me return my sincere thanks to the
Essex Agricultural Society for the kind
message conveyed in thy letter, and with the
best wishes fer its continued prosperity and
usefulness, am truly thy friend,
JONI q WHITTIER.