TWELFTH DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 741 



improve more that which you occupy. Give your wife and children a con- 

 genial dwelling place, and they will not he so anxious to mortgage the farm 

 and move to some town or city to live. People do not find fresh air, heau- 

 tiful scenery, and pure water in towns and cities; these we have in abun- 

 dance in the country, and coupled with the conveniences, comforts, and 

 decencies of life, make an earthly paradise. The facilities and customs 

 of city life materially lighten the cares and burdens of women and chil- 

 dren, and that is why the better part of many a country household turns to 

 the town or the city, from the barren desert of their daily lives, and longs 

 to journey on to some Mecca of comfort. It has been truly said, that, as 

 individuals, "we sow an act and reap a habit, sow a habit and reap a char- 

 acter, sow a character and reap a destiny." That which is true of individ- 

 uals is true of communities, and of nations. "The power and greatness of 

 a people are shown rather in the comfort of the masses than in the grandeur 

 of the few." May we, individually, help to make the destiny of California 

 worthy of the beautiful land in which we live. I have given you a brief, 

 faint outline of many matters of interest in our district and State, and I 

 shall be happy, indeed, if any find in my remarks a suggestion of value, 

 or a word of encouragement to aid them in the battle of life. With rail- 

 road facilities assured us, the future of our district is full of grand possi- 

 bilities. May the District Fairs of Lake and Mendocino Counties increase 

 in interest and value yearly; may we be able to keep them up to a standard 

 of excellence, an encouragement to art and skill, a wondrous testimony to 

 the capabilities of our soil and climate. Thanking you for your attention, 

 I can do no better than to close by quoting the eloquent words of the Hon. 

 M. M. Estee, used in his late oration at the opening of the Mechanics' Fair, 

 and expressing belief and hope, that their exalted prophecy may be veri- 

 fied, when he said: " It was once said ' all roads lead to Rome,' it will be 

 said in the future that all roads lead to California; no man will feel that 

 he has traveled unless he has visited our fair land. The artist will find 

 here new and original studies to inspire his genius; the poet additional 

 themes to inflame his muse. Art will gather more striking examples for 

 illustration. And amid all the great advantages of climate, soil, and 

 scenery, wealth will accumulate, man will grow powerful in body, strong in 

 mind, patriotic in sentiment, and obedient to God." 



