92 March Strength needed in Ploughing. 



it is so familiar to every one, but I may observe that 

 the very familiarity of it, the universality of its recep- 

 tion and preservation in the memory of the cultivated 

 world, is the proof that we have an ideal sense of a cer- 

 tain harmony and compatibility between the dignity of 

 ploughing and the dignity of government which finds its 

 satisfaction in the story of that worthy Roman. And 

 I think the true dignity and grandeur of this labor is 

 never so conspicuous as it is under circumstances such 

 as those which I have just now attempted to describe, 

 when the earth to be subdued is so difficult and rebel- 

 lious, and it is necessary to have a strong team of six 

 or eight well-trained oxen thoroughly under command. 

 Think of the long hours from early dawn to sunset, with 

 the incessant exercise of resolute will and strong, con- 

 trolling arm on the plough-handle ; a guidance needing 

 far more strength than that of the seaman's tiller, whilst 

 the team of animals is not so mechanically obedient as 

 the unresisting ship ! Steadily they all go forward to- 

 gether, team and plough and ploughman, through wind 

 and calm, through shine or shower, and still the iron 

 coulter turns up the heavy soil, resisting always, and 

 always resisting vainly! 



