SECRETARY'S REPORT. 231 



which are constantly presented by the senses, become a 'part of the 

 mind itself? But this branch of the subject, I must leave to abler 

 pens. The mind and influences by which it is moulded, is too vast 

 a subject for my humble efforts, and yet I think I can see how a 

 better rural architecture would tend in some small degree, to a bet- ■ 

 ter state of morals in the community. 



Great results sometimes arise from very little causes. The sta- 

 tistics of crime in Massachusetts, show that it has increased threefold 

 in fourteen years ; and that this increase of crime is, in large meas- 

 ure, not among the foreign, but the native population. Every well 

 wisher of his country must say, What are the causes 1 What the 

 cure? Some will see one thing and some another. I will suggest 

 that by some means or other, the life of a farmer is made unattract- 

 ive to farmers' sons. The cause of this may be in the nature of the 

 occupation itself ; its severe labor ; its little pay ; or, it maybe in 

 its unattractive accompaniments, of which the rural architecture 

 forms no insignificant part. The result is, that formers' sons leave 

 their country homes and become inhabitants of cities, where the 

 honest avenues to wealth'are not sufficient for the multitudes there 

 seeking her, and many, in consequence, turn into forbidden paths. 

 If this be, even in small degree, the cause — and perhaps every one 

 can call to mind one instance of a fall from virtue, in a young man, 

 on leaving a virtuous home — it plainly enough says, make home 

 more attractive. I leave this suggestion here, for every one can see 

 the possible connection of an unpleasant home, with the vice of the 

 country or the city ; and every thoughtful man can follow out the 

 details, and so far as in him lies, second this feeble attempt to make 

 our country homes more pleasant. 



Having, as I think, pointed out the necessity of a reform in our 

 rural architecture, it remains, to endeavor to show how such reform 

 may be brought about. 



If I have rightly considered the causes of this necessity, the means 

 are already suggested. Knowledge of the necessity and knowledge 

 of its causes, will lead any sensible man who intends to erect build- 

 ings, to aim for the best plan, and will suggest the mode of obtaining 

 it. I would place, then, at the head of the means of improvement, 

 a more enlarged and liberal system of common school education, and 

 I would have it so broad as to embrace the whole range of science. 



