100 OXFORD SOCIETY. 



most powerful instrument directed to tlic moon, his nearest 

 neiglibor, his knowledge is mostly negative in its results. 



Turn now to the farmer — the intelligent, thinking, progress- 

 ive farmer. To him the very materials which compose the 

 astronomer's telescope, are subjects for as profound contem- 

 plation as the human mind is capable of investigating. To 

 him all nature is open. Geology, with its wonders, unfolds its 

 pages at every step. Botany in its never ending variety invites 

 him. Chemistry and physiology with their mysteries are ready 

 to assist him. Everything in his calling challenges investiga- 

 tion. He cannot set a post, or plant a hill of corn, without 

 having the inquiry start up before him whether there be not 

 some better mode. A man without this spirit of progress never 

 changes his course. The intelligent man will always be chang- 

 ing for the better. The astronomer may become great in one 

 particular direction. He may be a martyr to science, and the 

 •world be better for the sacrifice ; but it will be at the risk of 

 :Stroug eccentricities of mind which will unfit him to be the 

 good father, neighbor and citizen. 



Give the farmer the same amount of capital which is neces- 

 sary far the investigation of the astronomer, and he becomes 

 really the greater man in his better developed body, and better 

 balanced mind. I make these seemingly broad assertions be- 

 cause I believe the farmer's calling is in better keeping with 

 the original design of his Creator. Nature is systematic and 

 harmonious in all her operations, and man must come under the 

 same great law in his fullest development. 



Gentlemen, do not suffer yourselves to be deceived in this 

 matter. Real improvements are usually slow. It was just two 

 hundred years ago that the idea of a steam engine was con- 

 .ceived, but it was not until our own day that it became the 

 instrument which we now behold, wielding a power that no man 

 or combination of men can arrest. The printing press was put 

 in operation more than four hundred years ago, yet it was not 

 till our day that it arrived to that degree of perfection by which 

 every man, however poor, can be supplied with all the current 

 news of the day at a trifling expense. 



I need scarcely point out to you the improvements of the 



