373 



The thrifty farmer, on the other hand, keeps no more stock upon his 

 farm than it will support handsomely ; his barns and sheds are in good 

 repair, and large enough to shelter them well. His crops are carefully 

 saved, and at the proper time — his cattle, sheep, horses and swine, are 

 the best of the kind he can obtain in the country. He manages his 

 entire stock with reference to improving their quality and condition. 

 He thus improves their value and puts money into his pocket. In the 

 management of his household, the same order and regularity is observ- 

 able. He is no sluggard — with his family, he is up at the early rising 

 of the sun, preparing for the labors of the day. Each member of his 

 family has his or her part to perform ; all engage in their respective 

 duties with cheerful countenances, and willing hearts. You do not see 

 his sons lounging about stores, taverns or grog shops, engaging in the 

 idle gossp of the day. If the state of the weather does not permit 

 out-door labor, you find them repairing and putting in order their farm- 

 ing implements, or adding to their stock of knowledge from some use- 

 ful book or periodical. They hold, and truly, that time is money. Visit 

 the family of the thrifty farmer, and you find contentment beaming 

 from every face ; his wife, his sons and daughters well dressed, though 

 not extravagantly, meet you with that cordiahty and natural gi-ace 

 which bespeak education and refinement. By refinement, I do not 

 mean those affected manners which too often obtain in cities and villa- 

 ges; that are learned at fashionable watering-places; are taught by 

 French dancing-masters, or are drawn from that mass of pestilential 

 literature, termed works of fiction, which of late has flooded our land, 

 corrupting and tainting the minds of our young men and women — 

 such refinement as this, though covered with fashionable cloths and 

 silks, must be regarded by sensible persons as useless and unbecoming. 

 By refinement, I mean the exercise of those social qualities which make 

 society desirable and interesting — that distinguishes the man and wo- 

 man of sense, from the fop and the drawing-room butterfly — truly de- 

 fined, it comprehends every virtue, every necessary and useful accom- 

 plishment which appertains to an enlightened and well ordered com- 

 munity. 



The thrifty fanner seldom ventures beyond his means. He is sel- 

 dom in debt He provides for himself and family such attire as is 

 appropriate to their calHng and circumstances. He is as much the 



