OF WHAT USE IS RURAL TASTE ? 



OF WHAT USE IS RURAL TASTE? 



BY B. iMUNN, NEW- YORK. 



Strange, but not less true, are the inconsistencies of human nature! While most of us 

 are ready to admit the limited extent of our knowledge, how different is our practice from 

 our theory. In the face of this free admission on our part, are we daily arguing, aye, 

 and acting too, upon immatured thoughts, drawing conclusions from false premises, and 

 regulating our conduct upon them, as though our ha^sty opinions were the unerring de- 

 cisions of minds possessed of infallible wisdom. 



We have been led into this train of thought from the circumstance, that it is not un- 

 frequent still to hear the question asked, " of what use is rural taste." It will be found 

 that the inquir}' proceeds either from those w^ho have not devoted, perhaps, an hour to 

 tlie consideration of the subject, or whose position in life has not afforded them opportu- 

 nity for the observation, much less the appreciation of the amenities of country life, and 

 the attractions of rural beauty — now it might well be supposed that the advantage, or 

 " Msc " of rural taste is so apparent, as a means to an important end, that this truth 

 would occur to the mind as quickly as thought presents the question to it. Experience 

 tells us this is not the case, and therefore, we propose to discuss it. 



Let us, however, before we proceed to answer the question, thoroughly understand 

 what we are about to discuss; and ask the previous question, what do we mean by " rural 

 taste.^" For few things conduce more to the elucidation of an argument, than a distinct 

 apprehension of the subject at starting. 



By "rural taste, " then, we mean that perception of the combination of beauty loith 

 utility, in adapting the wilds of nature to the wants of civilized life, which is agreeable to 

 our feelings. So that each natural feature when brought into the foreground of our obser- 

 vation, may be so presented to us, that whilst it is made subservient to our purpose, it at 

 the same time is introduced under a pleasing aspect. 



Let us now proceed to our principle inquiry, " of what use is rural taste.' " 



It is not too much to advance, if we assert that rural taste is itself a necessary adjunct to 

 civilization, the advantages of which the purest utilitarian will admit and advocate. For 

 the practice of rural taste is only the application to rural economy to the very same prin- 

 ciples which in cit)' life we regard as too completely matters of course to admit of ques- 

 tion. From what source have originated the palace residences of our city merchants, 

 with their go7geous furniture, their tapestried carpets and their embroideried hangings, but 

 from the indulgence of that taste in domestic affairs, which when directed to rural econo- 

 my expends its energies in drawing out the beauties of nature for our admiration — wiiile 

 Ave apply her productions to our use, instead of (as in the former case) availing ourselves 

 of the discoveries of art. Yet, however much we may hear the prudence of particular 

 individuals, called in question, for lavish expenditure upon their town residences, we sel- 

 dom hear the propriety or the utility of the elegancies of life which they possess, called in 

 question; unless it be by some cynic whose jaundiced eye and ill regulated mind, has been 

 distorted by the suggestions of avarice, or by some pharisaical enthusiast, who seeks to 

 find a merit in refusing the enjoyment of those results of the skill of his fellow men, 

 which the conventionalities of social life have provided for his use. 



Let it ever be borne in mind, that the lavish expenditure of the man whose diligent 

 labor has given him the means of surrounding himself with a large portion of the luxuries 

 is the stepping stone to riches for those of his fellow countrymen whose hand 

 berality purchases. The ascetic miser may by niggardliness increase his abi 



