44 OXFORD COUNTY SOCIETY. 



from the purposes it accomplishes, all efforts for its preservation and 

 enlargement become justifiable and praise-worthy." 



While -we value life for its uses — for the enjoyment that can be 

 had from it, from the good that may be done with it, we are stimu- 

 lated to greater endeavors for its maintenance, and we rise to the 

 cherishing of higher purposes in our toil ; for there is a higher and 

 nobler purpose to be served by every man's labor than to give him 

 a mere living. " It should quicken his thought, enlarge his con- 

 ceptions, exalt his aims, strengthen his character, and make him 

 wiser, better, nobler." The highest aim resultant from every avo- 

 cation is, 7nanhood itseK; a well developed, thoughtful, sympathetic, 

 upright manhood — the full expansion of all the faculties of our nature. 

 There is no calling in complex society, that is more favorable to a 

 broad development of nature's powers, than that of the cultivator 'of 

 the soil. It gives physical vigor, on which alone can the structure 

 of a manly life be successfully reared to stand firm and permanent. 



A large majority of the human family have their start in life on 

 farms. Here they receive first impressions — here characters are 

 formed.' Here developes humanity physically, intellectually, mor- 

 ally. To the school of the farm, the world has ever looked for the 

 highest type of human excellenne. This being true of the past, 

 when art and science and taste shall have done their perfect work, 

 what may we not expect in the future ! 



The county of Oxford has furnished her quota of those who have 

 "made their mark" in the world. Favored, happy Oxford! with 

 your present noble people — collectively representing the highest 

 type of manhood and womanhood of the Anglo Saxon, be true to 

 yourself and life's great interests, and your future will be glorious. 



FoxcROFT, 1860. C. C. 



Among the premiums awarded were the following : 



To Wra. II. "Woodbury, of Norway, for best stallion: to E. F. 

 Stone, of South Paris, for second best do. 



To Lyman F. Abbott, of Andover, for best Breeding Mare. 



To A. A. Tufts, of Faris, for Devon Bull, bred by B. Ileald, of 

 Sumner, from stock brought from A^ermont. 



To S. W. Burnham, of Norway, for Hereford Bull. 



To A. T. Holt, for Milch Cow, yield not stated. 



To same for herd of cattle, a cross of Hereford and Shorthorn. 



To Hiram Millctt for best flock of Sheep, grade Cotswolds. 



