ELEMENTS OF SUCCESS. 233 



Another idea important to tlie farmer is that of contentment. 

 Contented witli his country, his locality and his calling. Many 

 farmers are constantly sighing for some better country, better 

 climate, better faim and better employment. We heard of one of 

 this class, not long since, who makes himself miserable all the time 

 with the Western fever. His farm is neglected from his discontent, 

 and he relies upon his wood lot for his support. He is only waiting 

 for the means to take his departure. If he should go West, he 

 would find that the trouble is not in the soil and climate he now 

 occupies, but in the man. All these countries, go where you will, 

 have their advantages and their disadvantages, and with a contented 

 mind this State is as good as any other. Says one in giving his 

 experience of Western life, "I have been there and have seen 

 multitudes returning, and multitudes of others homesick, wishing to 

 return. I had this Western fever, and under its influence I have 

 written many letters describing in glowing terms the great and 

 beautiful prairies ; but when face to face with some of the stern and 

 really degrading conditions of Western life, I have come to change 

 my mind. ^Vhen disappointed I have held my peace, and so it is 

 with others." Thus the whole truth in our public journals fails to be 

 told. The stor^' of failure, attended with shame and humiliation, 

 keeps itself in silence, while all the good fortunes are sounded 

 abroad ; so the tendency is to push into view the bright side 

 while the dark side is kept in the back-ground. 



Other farmers there are who wish to better their lot by moving 

 into the village and living more at leisure. Restless and dissatisfied 

 they think there must be a better way somehow or somewhere than 

 to attend to the work of the farm. For the benefit of such. Rev. 

 Mr. Bell has drawn a vivid picture, to which I wish to call your 

 attention. 



"I knew a man who was a brisk worker in the field. His energy 

 was observed and lauded by all. It was refreshing to walk along 

 the boi-der of his broad acres and look over the great gardens he 

 had made. Few persons knew better than he how to raise corn 

 having wide and grand leaves. Wheat responded to the summer 

 wind, and clover covered the soil like a soft and gorgeous carpet. 

 This man had shining horses in whose friendly eyes he could see his 

 own face as in a mirror. All day long this man was cheerful and 

 happy. Vigor glowed in his honest countenance. He whistled 

 while he worked, and was not the less amiable when he was weary. 



