24 SKETCHES OP RURAL AFFAIRS. 



a ploughboy, or when employed with the harrow, or any- 

 thing connected with tillage, should remember that 

 if he is diligent, obedient, and anxious to please, he 

 may in time come to be a very useful and valued ser- 

 vant, with regular and good wages ; but if he does his 

 work in a careless, slovenly manner, and shows a lazy 

 disobedient temper, he will never rise to any honour- 

 able service, never be trusted with any important duty, 

 and never enjoy the favour or consideration of his 

 master. Industry at all times and seasons is necessary 

 to a man's success. " The sluggard will not plow by 

 reason of the cold ; therefore shall he beg in harvest, 

 and have nothing." (Prov. xx. 4.) 



The ploughman's task is an honourable one. When 

 the importance of a ploughman's duties is well con- 

 sidered, his task rises in our estimation, and appears in- 

 deed an honourable one. If those persons are deserving 

 of honour who perform essential services to mankind, 

 farm-labourers may certainly be honoured, since by their 

 unremitting toil the produce of the land is obtained for 

 our use. In ancient times it was no uncommon thing 

 for noble and dignified persons to be engaged in the 

 tillage of their own land. Cincinnatus, a celebrated 

 Roman consul, was found by the messengers sent to ac- 

 quaint him with his election to that office, in the act 

 of following the plough ; for he had retired to a small 

 farm on the banks of the Tiber, where he cultivated the 

 ground with his own hands. It is said that he was less 

 pleased at the honour conferred on him, than grieved for 

 the prospects of his farm during his absence. After re- 

 storing tranquillity to Rome, he again retired to his farm 

 and his rural occupations. Our own country has also 

 produced 'examples of similar conduct. Easterwin, 

 Abbot of Wearmouth, not only guided the plough and 

 winnowed the corn grown on the abbey lands, but also 

 with his hammer forged the instruments of husbandry 

 upon the anvil.* It may well be regarded as an honour 

 * Bede. 



