Notices for a Young Farmer, xlix 



partial inconveniences, of running through farms, payment 

 of tolls and other minor objections, are no more than the dust 

 of the balance, when weighed against their incalculable bene- 

 fits to agriculture, arts, and manufactures. 



XXIX. However unpromising may appear the task, use 

 your endeavours to incite, and with address, mildly and mode- 

 rately to invite such of your neighbours who require and will 

 listen to a benevolent Mentor, to habits i industry, economy, 

 and sobriety : for such habits are the only requisites in this 

 country, free from the impediments and disadvantages exist- 

 ing in many others, to enable every well disposed citizen to 

 advance his interests and comfort. They are impenetrable 

 shields against poverty and want. Point out to them the ad- 

 vantages of depositing a small portion of their earnings, in 

 saving banks, or 'well regulated friendly and benefit societies ; 

 as sure resources against penury, and relief in sickness and 

 incapacity to labour, as well as for the education of their 

 children ; to guard them against the miseries of unlettered 

 ignorance and its companion vice. And for this purpose, 

 encourage and patronize the Lancasterian plan of teaching. 

 It is the most practicable and effectual, as well as economi- 

 cal improvement in the means of education of young mem- 

 bers of the community, unable in any other way to acquire 

 learning, and to whose wants it is peculiarly adapted, that 

 lias ever been introduced among any people : and especially 

 among our citizens, enjoying universal suffrage in our re- 

 publican system of government. Knowledge and information, 

 to qualify them to inquire and judge for themselves and not 

 depend on assistance often seductively rendered, are essential 

 to their freedom and happiness. This knowledge and infor- 

 mation can only be acquired, through the facilities afforded 

 by education ; and what is called a common one, which must 

 be gained in early life, is fully competent to all useful pur- 

 poses for which they require it. 



Religion and morality, to which all earthly considerations 

 are of very inferior importance, will spread their benign 

 influences over minds enlightened by the information such 



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