38 



sede all other processes of gilding hitherto in use. 

 And by the last, a skilful combination of electricity 

 and magnetism conveys intelligence from post to 

 post, however distant, with perfect accuracy and with 

 the speed of light. 



This rapid view of the advantages of technology, 

 although, from the limited nature of this address, 

 necessarily imperfect, will show the importance of 

 its being embraced in any system intended to diffuse 

 useful knowledge among our fellow-citizens. 



This Institution has allotted one entire division to 

 Agriculture. This must be considered the most im- 

 portant, as it is the most necessary of the useful arts, 

 as well as the most essential to our existence in a 

 state of civilization. The hunter or the shepherd 

 can do no more than supply himself and his children 

 with food. Such a people have no surplus for those 

 who follow other pursuits; whereas in an agricultu- 

 ral community a portion of the people only are en- 

 gaged in raising grain and cattle to supply the re- 

 mainder with food, who, in their turn, are employed 

 in the useful or fine arts, or in the pursuits of litera- 

 ture and science ; and it may be safely asserted that 

 the degree of civilization in any country will be in 

 proportion to the perfection of its agriculture. Cicero 

 says, " there is no better pursuit in life, none more 

 full of enjoyment, or more worthy a freeman," and 

 surely there is none which contributes more largely 

 to the wealth and independence of a country. Like 

 all the useful arts, it is dependent upon science for 

 its perfection. Sir Humphrey Davy's work upon 

 agricultural chemistry shows its intimate connection 



