Adclrefs h the Society. 53 



country icrvlces in the promotion of iigriculture and ufeful 

 arts, than in their refpe£live political ftations. — I wiflied to 

 convince them that at leaft, as much reputation, with more 

 permanent fame, might b.e acquired in the firft than in the 

 lafl: of ihefe purfuits ; and yet to the difgrace of this State 

 it has fo happened, that though it has always pofl'efled men 

 of diftinguiflied talents, the rage for party pohtics and 

 diffipation, have defeated every attempt to eftablifh any fociety 

 for the promotion of arts, agriculture, or any literary or 

 fcientific objeft : how many now hear me who are capable 

 of wiping off this reproach — who have ample means of doing 

 honour to the State, by promoting that of this Society, but 

 who have yet offered it no aid ! The exertions of a few 

 friends to ufeful knowledge, have enabled us to ftruggic 

 through three years : And I would fain hope that many now 

 prefent will flep forward to our future fupport. 



I proceed to difcufs the fubje6t which I particularly defigned 

 to fubmit to the confideration of the Society ; I mean the 

 comparifon between the advantages of agriculture in Britain, and 

 in this State. I am well affured that falfe conceptions on this 

 fubjeft have led many theoretical farmers into important errors. 

 The inhabitants of every part of the world (our own excepted) 

 entertain ftrong prejudices in favour of their native country : 

 here, on the contrary, the people are habitually led to form 

 exalted ideas of Britain, and degrading ones of America.— I 



