206 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



EIGHTS AND DUTIES CONCERNING HIGHWAYS. 



BY M. F. DICKINSON, ESQ., BOSTON. 



When I had the honor of addressing this Board two years 

 ago, at its December meeting in AVorcestcr, I hardly ex- 

 pected so soon to be called upon again to perform a similar 

 service. My topic at that time was "Some aspects of the 

 law as applied to rural affairs." The discussion which fol- 

 lowed disclosed a deep interest in reference to the subjects 

 discussed, so that when I accepted the invitation for this 

 year I thought something along the same line would not 

 be unacceptable. My first paper, however, covered so 

 much ground that I find myself somewhat in the condition 

 of the young minister, who, after preaching his first sermon, 

 inquired of an old veteran of the pulpit what he thought of 

 it. " The sermon was good," said the old man, " it was 

 good ; you covered the whole range of religion and theol- 

 ogy, but I don't see how you can ever preach another." 



My subject to-day is "The highway," — a historical 

 glance, a few facts concerning it, and some rights and duties 

 thereto appertaining. 



An unerring indication of the relative positions of States 

 in the scale of advanced civilization is found in the condition 

 of their roads. Of course in a country newly settled Ave 

 do not look for that perfection in construction or excellence 

 in maintenance that prevails among old and settled com- 

 munities ; nor in the rapidly multiplying streets of a thriv- 

 ing young city the thoroughness that distinguishes older 

 and wealthier municipalities ; nor as yet in the remote roads 

 and byways of our rural counties for work according to the 

 gospels of Macadam or Telford. Still, the general prop- 

 osition will have to go unchallenged that good roads are 

 unequivocal signs of prosperity, growth, enlightenment and 

 civilization. 



