230 ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY SOCIETY. 



But this idea — this debasement of the noble powers of mind and 

 body — is not confined to our young men alone ; some of our young 

 women are exhibiting symptoms of a relaxed mentality. To milk 

 the cows, or work over a churning of butter, to card, spin, and 

 weave, to make up a batch of bread or a baking of pies, or to be of 

 any substantial aid to the toiling mother, — why ! what will that 

 latest imported French dancing dandy, with his beautifully curled 

 moustaches, and his borrowed opera-glass think, to find the subject 

 of his last night's flirtation in the kitchen, with her cosmetic bloom 

 all fiided — her ringlets all done up in papers ? Shame ! shame ! on 

 all such false pride and bemoaning of one's self. 



And parents, with us rests the responsibility of teaching the rising 

 generation to shun all such degrading gentility. It is for us to 

 impress — as one of the foundation principles of their life — as a con- 

 trolling influence that should never be lost sight of — and as the 

 highest reward of all efibrt — the great truth, that all productive 

 labor — everything that adds comfort and convenience, that elevates 

 the tone of social and domestic life, and increases virtue and piety, 

 is honorable and praiseworthy. We must teach them to appreciate 

 labor as one of the choicest of blessings, and that industry is one of 

 life's truest virtues. By doing this, we shall break down the Avails 

 of that sham and despicable aristocracy which comes from the indo- 

 lence, ignorance and caste of the old world, and open to them the 

 broad highway of human activity, where the hand, the head and the 

 heart may have full scope for exercise, and strive for the prize of 

 true manly greatness. 



In this connection, and in behalf of your honorable President, and 

 the gentlemen of the Board of Trustees, I would return to the ladies 

 an expression of thanks. And, ladies, this is no unmeaning tribute. 

 We are indebted to you for the chief attractions in the exhibition 

 room. Such quantities, varieties and excellencies of work— em- 

 bracing utility and taste — as you have presented, are an honor to 

 you, and of which this county may feel justly proud. They exhibit 

 to us proofs of that industry and unflinching toil which make New 

 England what she is, and which place our wives and daughters in 

 the foremost rank of intelligence, virtue and refinement. And let 

 these beautiful and useful examples of work be but the incentives tc 

 still greater effort. 



