SAGADAHOC COUiXTY SOCIETY. 



This Society held its Annual Exhibition at Topsham, on the 11th, 

 12th and 13th of October, 1859. The Secretary writes me that it 

 was a very good one. Stock of various breeds and of full blood and 

 grades were present in large numbers, including several entire farm 

 stocks. In other departments the show was excellent. Much in- 

 terest is felt in regard to it by all classes, and the Society is exert- 

 ing a highly beneficial influence. 



AN ADDRESS 



Delivered before the Sagadahoc Agricultural Society, at its Annual Fair, at Topsham, 

 October 13th, 1859, by Hon. F. H. Morse. 



Mr. President, and Gentlemen of the 



Sagadahoc Agricultural Society: 



Had I consulted my own inclination and obeyed the dictates of 

 my own judgment only, I should not stand before you on this occa- 

 sion in such a relation. My wish to gratify made me yield to 

 earnest pressure, a conditional consent, believing that the conditions 

 would relieve me from the embarrassment of attempting to grope 

 my way, M'ith hesitating steps, on grounds so new and unftmiiliar. 

 But your inexorable Executive Committee has allowed me no chan- 

 nel of escape. Conditions were disregarded, and excuses set aside. 

 The fact that my field of labor has been quite different from that of 

 meadow or upland — that I have but a very imperfect knowledge, 

 eitlier practical or theoretical, of the great subject which should 

 occupy our thoughts to-day, was considered no insuperable objec- 

 tion to my appearance on this platform, annually erected to the 

 goddess of harvest. If, therefore, the remarks which I propcs3 to 

 offer should be deemed inappropriate, or should not meet your just 

 expectations, I beg you will not attribute all your disappointment 

 to the rashness of the speaker in venturing on ground his life and 



