REVIEWS. 



him into the street, slams to ami holts the door, and there he stands, in hopeless dejec 

 tion, wondering what to do with himself. "Necessity's sharp [.inch" arouses him. He 

 finds that tlie speculations of philosophy do not yield an available income, nor can he feed 

 on Greek roots. lie discovers that the world is a very unclassical sort of a place, and 

 requires an equivalent of more solidity than Latin verses, or the species of knowledge 

 that can be applied to nothing. He begins to suspect that he must learn something use- 

 ful; and he lays himself down to his new preparation, forgetting, with all possible celeri- 

 ty, the little he has acquired during his college life. 



It is not my intention to undervalue classical education. There are scholarly men to 

 whom it is as the breath of life, and who, in sustaining its refining influences, take 

 that share in the well-being of society for which they are adapted by taste and tempera- 

 ment. But it is one thing to feel enthusiasm for the charm of ancient genius, and another 

 to limp along through 



" The (IriU'd dull lesson, forced down word by word." 



All things are not intended for all men. The usual course of university education, excel- 

 lent as it may be in some cases, is the exception, not the rule applicable to the necessities 

 of this age and this country, which, in general, require sciences that can be applied to the 

 useful arts, and knowledge that can be turned to account. 



While learning has rarely called in vain for assistance, when its object has been to swell 

 the already overcrowded ranks of what is generally understood by professional life, there 

 has been little or nothing done to educate young men as farmers. The most important 

 and the most honorable occupation, which is co-extensive with civilization, which employs 

 millions of men in daily labor, and on which the whole population of the globe depends 

 for subsistence, has not a single institution devoted to it in all this broad land. It is left 

 to help itself as it can, without Government protection, and with only such encourage- 

 ment as can be derived from societies formed by farmers themselves. The exertions which 

 have been made to establish an Agricultural School in this State, have not yet been suc- 

 cessful, but it is to be hoped that they will be renewed and persisted in, until this great 

 branch of industry shall receive the care and attention it demands. It is not supposed 

 that an institution will turn out ready-made practical husbandmen to order, from the mere 

 learning of books. There is no such intention or expectation. But it is believed that a 

 course can be followed, which will combine theory with practice, and produce young men 

 of intelligence and activit}^, whose hard hands and bronzed fiices will bear honorable tes- 

 timony that they have seen as much of the field as the study-room. 



It was a saying of Napoleon, that "battles make soldiers." It is equally true, that 

 hard work makes fanners. He who would " thrive by the plough," must leave his 

 gloves with his Sunday coat. He must not expect to walk daintily over the earth, in 

 holiday garb, and have her productions spring up in his footsteps. He Avho courts her 

 favors, must go manfully to the work. She is not to be trilled with, and does not yield 

 to coy wooing. The badges of her successful suitors are the dust of the ploughed ground, 

 the sweat of the hay-field, the marks of honest industry wi'ought out in shirt sleeves. 

 She loves the pressure of the cowhide boot, smiles on the tanned countenance, and the 

 sinewy limbs, on which the insignia of manhood have been ingrained by the elements. 

 But shedoesnot lookless winningly,if thecalculatinghead,whichguides the laboringhand, 

 has drawn information from recorded wisdom, gathered hints from the periodical, inter- 

 changed opinions with fellow workers, and brought thought to bear on the great mystery 

 of nature. Excellence in agriculture is neither the result of closet study nor of assiduous 

 labor. It can be eiTccted only by a union of both. May the sagacit}' of Government con- 

 sult the best interests of this people, by establishing the means of producing that as yet 

 unknown prodigy, a perfect former." 



Though Mr. Russel is a highly educated man, he is too much of an American to forget, 

 as many college men do, that he belongs to a new age and a new country. He recognizes 

 the spirit of the times and characterizes with trueness and point the master element of 

 our modern enterprises : 



" The guarding genius who presides over the New England cradle, is a very matter-of- 

 fact working day spirit. Should he embody himself to mortal sight, then would appear 

 no ethereal being, wreathed with flowers, hovering between earth and heaven, but a burly 

 solid actuality; fixed on the firm ground, his hair filled with hay seed or cotton, his 

 throne a country-house stool, his wand a shovel or hammer; decked, not in fairy green. 



