224 ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY SOCIETY. 



But "I can,'' and "I will," are triumphant -prords, and lead to suc- 

 cess. Among the ancient nations, agriculture was made the basis 

 and instrumentality of prosperity and success. It was the great 

 j,]ea — the handmaid of honor. But now the great masses hold it in 

 disrepute. Farmers themselves are dissatisfied with their vocation — 

 their sons seek the shop and the counter, their daughters give prefer- 

 ence to the mechanic and tradesman. The farmer's life is regarded 

 as one dull, unrelieved round of plodding toil. And so it is, as in 

 most instances pursued. Yet in reality it is the poetry of toil — a 

 field for sublimest thought and divinest aspiration. 



Now, if the flirmer will surround his home with attractions, such 

 as nature unfolds, and which her agencies will assist in doing, — 

 something that shall be refining and elevating — something that will 

 make home a sacred word, and an inspiration to lofty thought, then 

 ■will the farm be sought as the nursery of happiness and content- 

 ment. The farmer will then feel a pride glowing in his heart, and 

 a spirit of satisfaction will pervade his being and bless his toil. And 

 all these attractions and beauties the child needs as aids in its up- 

 ward growth and formation of character. If we would expand the 

 mind and enrich the hearts of our children, we must adorn the way 

 with such influences, sights and sounds, as will reveal the beauty 

 and order of nature's kingdom, and inspire to noble action and effort. 

 It is a sad mistake to suppose that a child has no conscious need, 

 above being fed and clothed. They have minds, which, if not nour- 

 ished by the rich treasures of truth, can promise but little of the 

 great prosecuting activity of existence. They have thoughts in 

 embryo, which, if not supplied with living draughts from the foun- 

 tains of beauty and order, will shrivel into deformity — filling life's 

 path with thorns and unseemly products. They have affections to 

 be wrought upon — to be trained by association with elevating objects 

 and pursuits for the good and true of life. And to the child, every 

 object has its molding influence ; the true, the good, the noble, leave 

 irreversible impressions; birds, flowers, fruits, order, neatness, har- 

 mony — each and all have their lesson for childhood. Costly deco- 

 rations and pompous lavishmcnts, are not requisites, but simplicities; 

 an unseen finger of beauty that shall touch the inner nature — awaken 

 and draw forth its divinely bestowed power. 



And these adornments, with which you may surround and sanctify 



