On architectural, rural, domestic, and other Improvements. 309 
wrong notions and habits of those who occupy it: questions which 
demand extensive enquiry and observation, and which will not be ex- 
hausted while any thing remains unknown of earth or air injurious to 
human health and happiness... The subject involves the physical na- 
ture, circumstances and wants of man, and in no slight degree his 
welfare as a rational, social and accountable being; it has an impor- 
tant relation to his plans, employments and success in Jife, and in- 
eed to his whole history; it is to be studied in all its relations to 
nature and art, its relations to what is uniform and unalterable in the 
earth, to the various changes which are. taking place in the surface, to 
various local peculiarites, to the increase and decay of vegetable mat- 
ter, and the neglect or progress of cultivation, to changes in the course 
and deposits of streams, to the condition of natural and artificial col- 
lections of water, to climate and to the long catalogue of local, pe- 
niodical and epidemic. diseases. 
_ A general reformation of the opinions and tastes of mankind, in 
respect to this whole subject.is greatly to be desired as a means of 
temporal happiness. No small proportion of the self-procured and 
the hereditary misery and degeneracy of the race proceeds from ig- 
norance and neglect of what is. _ vas ae in ween 
to this subject. 
- Who that closely inspects ree jet slisio, mails eed: en, 
of all the habitations in any district of country, or in any town or city, 
and the character, habits, pecuniary circumstances, pursuits, recrea- 
tions, and enjoyments of their respective occupants, but must be for- 
cibly struck with the powerful and discriminating effects of the causes 
which are involved in this field of enquiry? Who that traces the 
progress of an individual from his infancy in a mean, filthy, and ill 
Situated abode, to one that is desirable for its location, structure and 
other advantages, can fail to perceive the operation of these causes? 
Of how many both of the best and the worst members of society, 
may it not be said, that the influence of such causes on their natural 
dispositions and tastes, determined their course above or below the 
level on which they started? I remember an anecdote, related to 
me by the late Rev. Doct. Strong, of his ancient preceptor Doct. 
Bellamy, who, on parting with two of his pupils, by way of caution 
and advice to them, indicated, as what he had dreamed, his impres- 
sions, founded no doubt on what he had observed of their capacities, 
tastes, and habits, respecting their future career. The rising pro- 
gress of one he traced to a thriving and beautiful parish, a handsome 
and commodious dwelling, and subsequent usefulness and honor. 
