191 



The sterile fields are reclaimed and cultivated to their utmost capa- 

 city, by a skillful, economical, and. laborious agriculture ; and all her 

 mechanical arts and her manufactures are quickened by science. Every 

 thing in Pmssia wears a solid, substantial and finished aspect^. I be- 

 lieve there is no humbug in the character of the Prussian people. In 

 making these remarks on Prussia, I do not mean that other parts of 

 Germany cannot boast of the same characteristics. Indeed I am dis- 

 posed to look upon the whole German race as at the same time the 

 most intellectual and the most practical of all races. The reproach 

 which is sometimes cast upon Germany, that it is a region of mere the- 

 ories and dreams is quite undeserved. The Geiinans theorize, but they 

 work also. Thought and work both belong to them. They have ex- 

 alted, and honored industry under its two-fold form. 



Tlie praises I have bestowed on Germeny camiot be objected to if 

 they are deserved. Nor will it be thought ungi-acious to award them 

 here, when we reflect how large a portion of our most valuable emi- 

 grants are Germans. Besides, do we not boast of our Anglo-Saxon 

 blood, and is not the Anglo-Saxon and the German of the same Teu- 

 tonic stock ? Still, I grant that no race may claim for itself the exclu- 

 sive endowments of industrial activity, whether of thought or work. 

 Perhaps the pecuhar characteristics of the American people will be 

 found to arise from the fact that they area mixture of the most energetic 

 specimens of several races, thrown among circumstances best calcula- 

 ted to call forth manly endeavors of intellect, enterprise and skill. 



Other countries besides Gennany are well worth ou^ attention on ac- 

 count of their industrial developments. I wiU briefly advert to two — 

 Italy and England. 



Italy is interesting as exhibiting what I conceive to be very ancient 

 foniis of industry. Here we see the land is still covered with com, the 

 vine and the olive tree. And the modes of cultivation, and the very 

 implements of husbandry continually call up images of the past. The 

 culture which prevails does not appear like the result of any new ideas 

 or experiments, but as an ancient and. fixed habit of the people. They 

 seem to be treading m the paths of their fathers. This impressed me 

 particulariy in a six day's journey from Rome to Florence, by what is 

 called the Perugia route — so called from the old Etruscan city of Per- 

 ugia, which, as well as other Etioiscan towel's, lie upon it. The Etrus- 



