252 EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



not merely for its profit and usefulness, but as a delightful 

 resource and recreation for a cultivated mind, will certainly find 

 favor with those who form rational views of life, who wish well 

 to the cause of good morals, and would multiply and strengthen 

 the safeguards of human virtue. 



The class of individuals whom I have described and I 

 assure my readers I have drawn from real life, and deal in no 

 fictions find often their own efforts seconded and aided by 

 those whose encouragement and sympathy always give new life 

 and vigor to their exertions, and new pleasure to their pleasures, 

 I mean their own wives and children; and the farming 

 operations, in all their history and details, and all their expe 

 diency and fitness, are as much matter of familiar and interested 

 discussion at the fireside, as, in many other circles, the most 

 recent novel, the change in fashion, or the latest triumph of 

 party. Indeed, I have seen, in many cases, the wives and the 

 daughters and these, too, often persons of the highest rank 

 and refinement as well acquainted with every field and crop, 

 their management and their yield, and with every implement 

 and animal on the place, as the farmer himself; and I always put 

 it down to the credit of their good sense. 



XXXVIII. A PENCIL SKETCH. 



I must claim the indulgence of my readers, if I give them an 

 account of a visit in the country so instructive, so bright, so 

 cheerful, that nothing but the absolute breaking-up of the mind 

 can ever obliterate its record, or dispel the bright vision from my 

 imagination. I know my fair readers for with some such I 

 am assured my humble Reports are kindly honored will feel 

 an interest in it ; and if I have any unfair readers, I beg them at 

 once to turn over the page. But mind, I shall utter no name, 

 and point to no place ; and if I did not know that the example 

 was not altogether singular, and therefore would not be detected, 

 I should not relate it. I know very well, as soon as I return to 

 my native land, if Heaven has that happiness yet in store for 



