1846.] Rural Life. 89 



physiology, a degree of familiarity with the terms and classifica- 

 tion of botany, and knowledge of the habits and anatomical struc- 

 ture of animals; all, or much of this should be acquired previous 

 to leaving the city, where the facilities for such information, in 

 part, are incomparably greater than in the country. 



It is not my intention or desire to damp the sanguine expecta- 

 tions of young men, but there are sedate and reflecting minds, 

 even among such, who will profit, as they go along, by experi- 

 ence, and take caution from the mistakes of others, their neigh- 

 bors; rural pursuits will also become agreeable to such, and a 

 strong inducement to reside in the country, and at the same time 

 afford employment and livelihood to those about them. Besides, 

 to such persons there is a constant variety in looking after the 

 trees, shrubs, fiuits, and crops, &c., which they plant, and see 

 grow and flourish under their care; and which are presenting 

 themselves always under some renewed form, rendering agricul- 

 ture the most agreeable and least tiresome of human pursuits. 



Unless a man has a fortune at his command, sufficient to bear 

 him through, (when he may be at liberty to please himself,) let 

 him not be led into whimsical or extravagant expenses; neither 

 should the man of fortune deceive himself by visionary profits, 

 estimated or anticipated, and which are not to be realized. 



" Agriculture," says an ancient writer, " is the most certain 

 source of domestic riches. Where it is neglected, whatever 

 wealth may be imported from abroad, poverty and misery will 

 abound at home. Such is and ever will be the fluctuating state 

 of trade and manufactures, that thousands of people may be in 

 full employment to-day, and in beggary to-morrow. This can 

 never happen to those who cultivate the ground. They can always 

 by industry, obtain at least the necessaries of life, and the fruits 

 of their own labor." 



