1835.] 



FARMERS' REGISTER. 



67 



ing to make others laugh: for although I myself 

 could never perceive any good reason why a wri- 

 ter on almost any subject, should not step a little 

 on one side, out of the beaten track, in search of 

 a modicum of innocent, mirth— seeing that, there 

 are so many more events and circumstances in the 

 world to make weeping than laughing philoso- 

 phers; yet I am per/ectly willing to conform to the 

 lawful humors of others in all matters between 

 them and myself. Hence I will apply to our in- 

 tercourse, without scruple, that favorite proverb of 

 Sancho Panza's; u ivke?i you are at Home, do as 

 they do there.'''' If grave — close-to-the-point-Ian- 

 guaire be the order of the day with them, it shall 

 certainly be so with me, as far as my nature will 

 allow me to make it so: and, like Bottom the 

 weaver, in Shaksneare's "Midsummer Nights' 

 Dream," I will always at least strive to be pre- 

 pared, "to roar ye — an it were, as gentle as a suck- 

 ing dove." 



To laugh, and where few other persons per- 

 haps, can see any good cause for it, is with me, 

 I fear, a natural instinct; and this, every body 

 knows, is hard to overcome. When therefore, 

 provocatives fall in my way, I must either hide, or 

 abstain from writing; otherwise the offence is al- 

 most sure to be committed, in person or in print. 

 I call it offence, and I think, properly; for although 

 all men enjoy the laugh of others when with them, 

 yet not two probably in a thousand can even tole- 

 rate it when if is at them — however just and equi- 

 table this "(rive and take principle" certainly is. 

 Yet with this fact constantly before me, I find 

 myself too frequently transoressins;. My only 

 excuse — if it be anv, is, that T am always perfect- 

 ly willim; for others to take the same liberty in 

 this respect with me that I take with them. Bar 

 ill-will, malice, and crimination of motive, and 

 they maylaujjh and ridicule to their heart's con- 

 tent — they cannot offend me. 



J. M G. 



April 24t£, 1S35. 



CLOSE OF THE DISCUSSION. 



The foregoing communication was accompanied by 

 a private letter from our correspondent, which stated 

 that he did not intend to continue farther the discus- 

 sion with J. B., whatever might be the reply: and as 

 we knew that J< B. had before resolved on the like 

 course, we thought it best that our readers should be 

 informed on this head as well as ourselves. For this 

 purpose, and also to guard against any improper infer- 

 ence being drawn as to the feelings with which either of 

 the writers abandoned the contest, we thought it right 

 that J. B. should have an opportunity forthwith to ex- 

 press to the public what we had the best reasons to 

 know that he thought, and had before expressed on this 

 subject, in private: and having read the foregoing, he 

 has answered our expectations on this head in the 

 following note. 



To the Editor of the Farmers' Register. 



I shall adhere strictly to my previous intention 

 of not proceeding farther in this discussion, not- 

 withstanding the temptation now felt to explain 

 my meaning as to a passage of mine which your 

 correspondent quotes, as involving contradiction. 

 It will therefore be left to its fate. But I wish to 



Vol. Ill— 8 



take leave of my highly esteemed antagonist with 

 some expression of those kind feelings which have 

 not in the slightest degree been chirled by any 

 thing in our controversy, and to declare to him 

 that he is altogether mistaken in attributing any of 

 my phrases to peevish or angry feelings having 

 been excited. Indeed, it was really and honestly 

 my belief, that I had avoided every thing but 

 strictly defensive warfare — and even in that course, 

 had not availed myself of the full extent of his 

 invitation to make as free with him, as he had 

 done with my piece. If then my words bore any 

 appearance ditierent from this opinion, it was con- 

 trary to my intention, and to the respect sincerely 

 entertained lor J. M. G-. But I will say no more 

 on this point, lest while thus offering my hand in 

 peace,. I should provoke a quarrel, like that of 

 Sir Peter Teazle and his lady immediately after 

 their loving reconciliation, produced by inquiring 

 which of the two had previously given the first 

 provocation. 



Neither did I mean to express, (as J. M. G. 

 supposes,) nor do I entertain the slightest objec- 

 tion to this, or any other suitable subject, being 

 discussed in the vein of humor which J. M. G. 

 indulges in with such good elfect — and I have 

 often joined heartily in the laugh, and not the less 

 in the recent cases, when it was at my own ex- 

 pense. The objections expressed in my general 

 remarks, were intended to be opposed to the 

 sharpness of personal controversy — and not to the 

 jocularity proceeding from good humor, and cal- 

 culated to prevent, or allay, rather than to 

 excite angry feelings, Long may J. M. G. in- 

 dulge this vein — (of course properly directed — ) 

 and when he has — as is his usual good fortune — 

 the "laughers on his side," I shall doubtless, be 

 generally one of the number. 



J. B. 



SALE OF VIRGINIA LANDS, IN LONDON. 



The following article is from the London Courier of 

 March 26th, and is now passing through the newspa- 

 pers of this country — and without comment, so far as 

 we have yet observed, 



"An important sale of freehold American lands in 

 the state of Virginia took place on Wednesday, in the 

 Auction Mart, which was crowded to excess with a 

 highly respectable company. Mr. George Robins, in 

 an able and elaborate statement, detailed the property, 

 which was illustrated by maps and drawings. It com- 

 prehends a portion of 50,000 acres of carefully select- 

 ed lands, purchased some years since under advanta- 

 geous circumstances, out of 1,800,000 acres. The 

 land is almost exempt from taxes, and the state of Vir- 

 ginia unencumbered by any public debt. The legis- 

 lature of Virginia has recently passed an act for a 

 rail road passing through the lands in question. The 

 selected lands were divided into portions of various 

 sizes from 50 to 100 and 200 acres, each of which pos- 

 sesses the best timber suitable for the building of 

 houses, fences, ect. The yearly average produce of 

 an acre of land giving from GO to 72 bushels of Indian 

 corn, is net in cash from £\ 29. to £1 5s.; and vary- 

 ing in quality from 40 to 50 bushels, from 16s. to 173 

 6(T. The tobacco crops are very productive. The 

 country abounds in iron, lead, and coal mines, and Mr. 

 Robins urged the important benefits to be derived from 

 purchasing largely in this "the land of promise." The 

 tiths and poor rates, were unknown in Virginia; wages 

 were comparatively nothing. Upon a farm of 600 

 acres, the taxes did not exceed ?ix shillings. Thefeesim- 



