147 



leads a more laborious life than the prudent and managing farmer. The suc- 

 cessful merchant must necessarily be a laborious man : sleepless nights and 

 anxious days, are a portion of the tribute paid by merchants, lawyers and 

 doctors, for their fortunes and their celebrity. 



Of the young man who is about to select a business for life, I would inquire, 

 do you wish honors? Then apply yourself to agriculture ; for in no station 

 can you acquire more glory than in being perfect master of this business. 

 The great Washington was a fanner, and the first and best farmer in the thir- 

 teen United States. Cincinnatus was called from the plow to be the dictator 

 of Rome. King David was a sheiDlierd. There is no calling in life so favora- 

 ble to popularity as that of the intelligent farmer. Do you wish wealth ? 

 There is no pursuit so certain to be rewarded with all necessary riches, as his 

 who depends upon the products of the earth. Do you wish health ? It is 

 more generally bestowed upon those who breathe the fresh air of the country, 

 and peculiarly to those whose occupation is among the flocks and herds, 

 and who stir the soil, and regale themselves with the odors of the meadow 

 and the garden. Is the youth of feeble constitution ? If the parent wishes 

 to shorten his days, he can most likely insure his desire by placing him at 

 the merchant's desk, or at one of the professions of law or medicine. His 

 constitution, on the other hand, would most likely be invigorated by employ- 

 ment in rural pursuits. Does any one wish a pleasurable life? He cannot 

 expect pleasure without employment. Idleness is the bane of happiness : to 

 have nothing to do, and to be at a loss where to go, is a position near the top 

 round of the ladder of misery. If the bleating of flocks, the lowing of herds, 

 the prancing of colts, the humming of bees, the melody of birds, the beauti- 

 ful scenery of the well cultivated farm, the glories of the garden, the enjoy- 

 ment of plenty in its greatest delicacies, always at hand, fresh and pure, to 

 gratify the most fastidious appetite, and a surplus with which to relieve the 

 needy, the certain prospect of wealth, and the reflection that all this has been 

 obtained by his own indu.stry and good management, with a heart of grati- 

 tude to the disposer of blessings, can render a man happy, then is the skillful 

 and industrious farmer among the happiest of mortals. 



To be free from debt, not dependant on the success or failure of others to 

 any great extent, is one great advantage which the farmer possesses over the 

 merchant. He is not corroded with anxiety, nor made restless by the sleepless 

 nights which disturb the repose of the merchant and the professional man. 

 While he sleeps, his calves are growing, his swine are fattening, his crops ad- 

 vancing to perfection. His streams of plenty and wealth are flowing, while 

 he enjoys the repose of the night, and he is awakened in the morning by the 

 melodious carols of the robin and other songsters that rest in security on the 

 trees and shrubbery which he has planted around his dwelling. He has his 

 children around him, and he watches their development and education. 

 They are aloof from the snares and contamination of the city. He lays in 

 stores of useful and entertaining books by which they may be instructed and 

 amused during long winter evenings, and at other times of leisure. He 

 always does or should take a good newspaper, by which he and his children 



