PHASES OF FARM LIFE. 



HAVE thought that a good test of civilization, per- 

 haps one of the best, is country life. Where country 

 life is safe and enjoyable, where many of the con- 

 veniences and appliances of the town are joined to the 

 large freedom and large benefits of the country, a high 

 state of civilization prevails. Is there any proper 

 country life in Spain, in Mexico, in the South Amer- 

 ican States ? I Man has always dwelt in cities, but he 

 has not always in the same sense been a dweller in 

 the country. Rude and barbarous people build cities. 

 Hence, paradoxical as it may seem, the city is older 

 than the country. Truly, man made the city, and after 

 he became sufficiently civilized, not afraid of solitude, 

 and knew on what terms to live with nature, God pro- 

 moted him to life in the country. The necessities of 

 defense, the fear of enemies, built the first city, built 

 Rome, Athens, Carthage, Paris. The weaker the 

 law, the stronger the city. After Cain slew Abel he 

 went out and built a city, and murder or the fear of 

 murder, robbery or the fear of robbery, have built 

 most of the cities since.; Penetrate into the heart of 

 Africa, and you will find the people, or tribes, all liv- 

 ing in villages or little cities. You step from the 

 jungle or forest into the town; there is no country. 



