E. H. DERBY'S ADDRESS. 215 



to Flanders and Holland. There, science and capital combined, 

 in a harsh climate, have rescued vast wastes from the ocean, 

 and converted sterile marshes and barren sands into productive 

 fields, the very garden of Europe. Or, look at England, where 

 the same powerful combination has transformed the sandy plains 

 of Norfolk, for centuries abandoned to the rabbit, into luxuriant 

 fields of wheat, clover, and turnips, and changed the fens of 

 Lincolnshire, which encircle the old town of Boston — fens for 

 centuries the resort of wild ducks, geese, and other birds of pas- 

 sage — into the granary of England ! 



The achievements of science and capital, in the agriculture of 

 the old world, lead us to appreciate aright their value on this 

 side of the Atlantic, and to take a more correct view of their 

 importance and uses. A few rash experiments here, guided by 

 no practical skill, may have led some to distrust theories, and 

 the value of book-learning ; others have looked with a jaundiced 

 eye on the accumulation of wealth, have regarded its votaries 

 merely as a mercenary race, a class useless to the community, 

 instead of viewing them as stewards, accumulating property for 

 the benefit of society ; forgetful that their wealth, whether in- 

 vested in banks, ships, docks, or avenues of trade, or in loans 

 upon land, is giving an impulse to the whole country. 



To insure the progress of agriculture, it is for science to in- 

 dicate the path ; to suggest the elements of the soil ; to point out 

 its deficiencies, and the appropriate remedy ; to present the im- 

 provements in tools, fences, and buildings, and the discoveries 

 of art ; but in vain would she place her finger upon these, unless 

 her ally, — capital, — should follow, and furnish the stocks, tools, 

 structures, and fertilizing substances, and aid in creating ave- 

 nues from the farm to the market. 



There was a time, but a few years since, when the credit of 

 our state and country, now so elevated, was deeply depressed ; 

 when the bonds of Massachusetts found no purchasers. Science 

 had planned that great avenue which makes Boston one of the 

 seaports of the West ; but means were wanting. By whom, 

 think you, were they furnished 1 By those unfortunate Irish- 

 men who seek here a refuge from bad laws and national calam- 

 ities, who toil upon our public works, and to whom we owe all 



