370 SELECTIONS FROM ADDRESSES. 



professional man, the statesman, or even to those who go down 

 to the sea in ships. The farmer has his troubles and trials, 

 but, upon the whole, he has less of care and anxiety than men 

 in other pursuits. His breast should be the home of faith and 

 contentment. If his returns are always moderate, they are 

 always certain. In consequence of the uniform fulfilment of 

 the divine promise, the cultivators of the soil may be sure of 

 two things, Health and Home. And how much of human 

 happiness, and how little of human misery, are associated 

 with these words ! Health — no learning, wealth, influence, 

 fame or success in life, will compensate us for its loss ; and 

 when lost, there is no learning, wealth, fame, influence, or 

 success, which we value in comparison with it. Health is the 

 result of the proper development and enjoyment of all our fac- 

 ulties. Agriculture is a sphere of labor which may develop 

 fully the physical man. Many branches of mechanics, more of 

 manufactures, and nearly all of commercial and professional la- 

 bors, restrain or impair the physical qualities of the race. 

 They demand, in a great or small degree, the sacrifice of some 

 of the elements of health. We are constituted not only with 

 a personal desire for health, but with a keen, admiring sense of 

 its existence in others. 



How many of the eff'orts and struggles of professional men 

 and merchants have for their object. Home? And how many, 

 very many of them fail in the accomplishment of that object ? 

 But the farmer of moderate means may secure it. A spot of 

 land, be it great or small, if it aff'ord an opportunity for the 

 profitable application of his labor, a dwelling suited to his 

 wants in life, — to which are to be added the adornments which 

 time, and taste, and labor can give, — that and these are Home. 

 The idea of home should never be associated with any style or 

 expense of house or furniture, nor should it be subjected to any 

 comparison with the homes of others, for there is danger of 

 ^exciting either pride or envy. 



But it is at home, and about home, that the farmer or me- 

 chanic may exercise taste, in the division of his ground, in 

 planting fruit and ornamental trees, and in the location and 

 :style of his buildings. There are many villages and towns of 



