CHAP. II.] RUTA BAGA CULTURE. 159 



my neighbours at Botley, " You have had the 

 " same seasons that [ have had. Nothing is so 

 " impartial as weather." As long as this sort 

 of observation, or inquiry, proceeds from a 

 spirit of emulation, it may be treated with great 

 indulgence ; but, when it discovers a spirit of 

 envy, it becomes detestable, and especially in 

 affairs of agriculture, where the appeal is made 

 to our common parent, and where no man's 

 success can be injurious to his neighbour, while 

 it must be a benefit to his country, or the country 

 in which the success takes place. I must, how 

 ever, say, and I say it with feelings of great 

 pleasure, as well as from a sense of justice, that 

 I have observed in the American farmers no 

 envy of the kind alluded to ; but, on the con 

 trary, the greatest satisfaction, at my success; 

 and not the least backwardness, but great for 

 wardness, to applaud and admire my mode of 

 cultivating these crops. Not so, in England 

 where the farmers (generally the most stupid as 

 well as most slavish and most churlish part of 

 the nation) envy all who excel them, while they 

 are too obstinate to profit from the example of 

 those whom they envy. I say generally ; for 

 there are many most honourable exceptions ; 

 and, it is amongst that class of men that I have 

 my dearest and most esteemed friends ; men of 

 knowledge, of experience, of integrity, and of 

 public-spirit, equal to that of the best of English- 



