382 EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



the richest adornments of God s beautiful creation, and every 

 where, in the tangled forest, in the most secluded thicket, on 

 the ocean prairies, and even upon the desolate heaths, are scat 

 tered about in such an endless variety and profusion as cannot fail 

 to impress a reflecting and devout mind with the most grateful 

 veneration and delight. 



As for those persons who can see no good and no utility in 

 any thing beyond that which fills the belly, or covers the back, 

 or puts money into the pocket, they are of the earth, earthy. 

 Such grovelling selfishness and animalism I trample under foot 

 with ineffable scorn. But the cultivation of flowers does much 

 for the benefit of the mind. A taste for objects so pure expels a 

 taste for others, which are unworthy. A passion for what is 

 beautiful and refined in nature often secures the mind from the 

 intrusion of passions low and hurtful. Every advance, which 

 is made in any direction for the improvement of the taste or the 

 refinement of manners, is so much done for the general comfort 

 of social life and for good morals. 



LXIL GENERAL MARKETS. 



Besides the markets to which I have referred, there is a market 

 in London exclusively for the sale of raw hides and leather ; and 

 in various parts of the country markets are held, at fixed times 

 and places, for the sale of wool, and of butter and cheese. These 

 generally go under the name of fairs ; and I do not think they 

 can be too soon established in the most populous districts of our 

 country. There may be evils, but there are great and overbal 

 ancing advantages, attending them. The large dealers attend in 

 numbers to make their purchases, and both sides have equal ben 

 efits from an extended competition. Prices assume an equal and 

 a fair rate. The farmer may feel, ordinarily, quite sure of a 

 market for his produce at a fixed time, and to receive his money, 

 instead, as now, of depending almost upon accident for a pur 

 chaser. Last, but not among the least of the benefits of the 

 markets in question, is the wholesome emulation which is 

 created by bringing different articles of produce into comparison 



