16 Ma. newrall's address. 



pursuits arc often deprived of. The price of knowledge is labor. 

 Without study, the mind must remain barren, like a neglected gar- 

 den. If young men spend the long evenings of winter, so favorable 

 to stud}'-, at places of idle resort, in the hearing of profitless conver- 

 sation, they must necessarily grow up with little more information 

 than the ox which draws their plough. When such arrive at man- 

 hood, and you sec them in the distance, you suppose them to be 

 men, but it is only in appearance, for they have neglected to culti- 

 vate the mind, which raises man above the mere animal. Such is 

 the importance of knowledge, that young men should tremble at the 

 loss of a single hour ! 



For the encouragement of all who are "in pursuit of knowledge 

 under difficulties," let me remaik, that at the present day it is of 

 no practical importance whether they graduate from the halls of a 

 College or University, or from the attic of their own dwelling, pro- 

 vided they have acquired that knowledge of science, and of the 

 world, which shall enable them to discharge all of life's duties in a 

 proper manner. (It can be of no moment to such men in after Hfe 

 whether they carry in their pocket a parchment from some scientific 

 Institution, conforingupon them the honor of Doctor of Laws, if they 

 understand the natural laws and are able to act in accordance there- 

 with in the varied duties of life, there can be ifb greater proficient.) 

 The means of information are within the reach of all. Science is 

 no longer muffled and hid from the pubHc gaze. No people have 

 ever been so favored for the acquisition of knoAvledge. The com- 

 mon schools, those glorious institutions of New England are laying 

 the foundation for the highest attainments. Every boy, after hav- 

 ing become familiar with the elementary principles there taught, is 

 in a situation to improve himself in the various branches of science. 

 Chemistry is intimately connected with agriculture, and should en- 

 gage the attention of every young farmer. Zoology comes in for a 

 share of his attention. The habits of the insect tribes which often 

 commit greater ravages than the larger animals, should be under- 

 stood, the more effectually to guard against their depredations. 

 Botany, so useful and so interesting, should engage the earnest at- 

 tention of the young of both sexes. It has arrested the attention 

 of the observing of every age. The wisest of men, although the 

 cares of a splendid kingdom rested upon him, was intimately ac- 

 quainted with all plants from the graceful cedar which crowned the 



