G. S. BOUTWELL'S ADDRESS. 371 



desirable and extended reputation, derived solely from the for- 

 est trees which adorn their streets. 



It was the great step of all steps in human progress, when 

 men forsook the nomadic, or pastoral life, and made themselves 

 homes. In home, the civilities of life had their origin. It was 

 there, and is there, and ever must be there, that woman exerts 

 her proper influence, enjoys her true relations, and moves in 

 her intended sphere. For what she is and has accomplished, 

 she is indebted to home. 



In cities, you feel that there are no true homes, but only 

 dwellings. The child has little attachment for a particular 

 house, or love for a particular spot ; but he has, in place there- 

 of, attachment and love for his native city. He is, first of all, 

 a citizen. The house in which he was born, and in which his 

 infancy and childhood were passed, is hardly distinguished in 

 his memory from others in the same street or neighborhood ; 

 and he will view its removal, and the erection of a more splen- 

 did edifice, with no emotion but that of joy in the general 

 prosperity; or he would readily leave the house of his youth 

 for one more elegant or more favorably situated. 



Not thus, to you and your children, are your homes. They 

 are points of undeviating, undying attachment. When one of 

 your sons returns to his home, after an absence of months or 

 years, his earliest impressions return to him. He seems to 

 breathe an air more congenial than that of distant cities or 

 foreign lands. His heart beats with new life, and the world 

 in which he has passed his manhood seems less worthy than 

 ever of his service. He gazes with fondness on every thing 

 that reminds him of childhood and youth. If the humble 

 dwelling in which he was born has given place to a more ele- 

 gant structure, its sight is a cause of sadness to his spirit ; he 

 does not rejoice in any prosperity which obliterates the evi- 

 dence and mars the association of home. 



Is it not true, farmers of Middlesex, that many of your sons 

 have left and are leaving the employment to which they were 

 educated, and seeking for wealth or fame in other pursuits or 

 communities ? And is not the State, by this, impoverished in 

 wealth, enterprise, and reputation ? Can it with truth be said 



