1856. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



517 



For the New England Farmer. 



THE DIGNITY OF LABOR. 



BY SUSIE SUMMERFIELD. 



It may be deemed inappropriate to some of my 

 readers, that I have associated two such words as 

 dignity and labor, since a larger portion of society 

 cannot any how classify them in a harmonious 

 union. Why is it thus, since there truly is a pe- 

 culiar connection between true dignity and labor, 

 which is constantly exhibited by the moving mass 

 of the American population ? It is simply because 

 we have been governed by false notions, as to what 

 true dignity consists in. Especially do we notice 

 that an erroneous idea has been disseminated among 

 the farming population of both sexes, in this pro- 

 lific and beautiful country of ours. 



Though towering mountains and lofty trees ; 

 verdant meadows and flowering shrubs; roaring 

 cataracts ai;d majestic rivers ; shelving rocks, and 

 rolling praries, and great extent of continent, whose 

 borders are continually bathed in the blue waters 

 of the Atlantic, or in the still depths of the broad 

 Pacific, are ours to behold, to admire, and all of 

 which should inspire the beholder with true, pure 

 elevation of moral feeling, yet we fear that we lack 

 most in this right kind of elevated feeling. It was 

 in the free excicise of our "Pilgrim Fathers' " sin- 

 ewy arms, that the tall trees bowed their majestic 

 heads, as the forest echoes rung out their requiems ; 

 and it is by labor that finally the New England 

 States are dotted over with fertile farms. 



Labor has made the clustering vine thrive, where 

 once the deep-hued ivy crept around towering oaks, 

 and yet, who dares to stigmatize our forefathers, 

 as being undignified ? It was by toil that our Pil- 

 grim mothers hatchelled, spun and wove the flax, 

 which they fabricated into linen, and by industry 

 they clothed their families ; while they spumed to 

 keep cemented the chain with which England then 

 thought to wreath about Young America's brow, 

 while noble dignity attended their every look ; and 

 yet, where shall we find the aristocrat of the pres- 

 ent day, who blushes because his ancestors labored ? 



There never was a useful invention put to eflect, 

 without thought and labor. All that contributes 

 to the elegance and refinement of civilized and en- 

 lightened society, has been effected by mental and 

 physical labor. Why, is it not by tugging toil that 

 our cities are adorned with intricate structures of 

 masonry and carved work, that unsightly and an- 

 noying hills are graded, and transformed into 

 smoothly paved streets ? 



Is it enchantment that has made cooling, grace- 

 ful jets of water, continually sparkle in the sun- 

 beams; that has festooned trellised bowers with ro- 

 ses, that has trained the lily-cups, which are dame 

 nature's perfumery tankards, whose aroma charms 

 the exquisite gent and his dainty lady, as they aris- 

 tocratically promenade through our public gardens 

 and shady parks ? No ! Labor has done it, while 

 it has made beautiful villas, long rows or superb 

 buildings, inviting farm-houses, yea, even whole vil- 

 kges spring up, beneath the deep shade of majes- 

 tic elms, maples and willows, all over the New 

 England States, where once the dense forest was 

 undisturbed. It is labor, which will establish cities, 

 towns and villages over the vast prairies of the 

 West, where now the antelope and wild horse 

 range. Now, is there aught humbling connected 

 with these desirable transformations ? But labor 



accomplishes them, and can the sturdy yeoman, the 

 ingenius mechanic, the muscular-armed mason that 

 polished the rough stone, the farmer's son, or his 

 bonny, red-faced daughter, for one moment, admit 

 that there is anything but dignity connected with 

 honest labor ? 



I have met with "would-be ladies," who would 

 not for worlds acknowledge that a "chequered 

 apron" had come in contact with their delicate tis- 

 sue dresses ; or that their rose-tinted fingers were 

 ever dusted over with flour, as they have prepared 

 the tempting muffin, or juicy pie. I have seen la- 

 dies, that could give the modulated shriek, as they 

 stood amidst Nature's sublimities, when there w'as 

 nothing but bold pictures of wonderful design, upon 

 Nature's page, to keep them silent, enthralled with 

 admiration ! I have seen young and even "oldish" 

 ones, affect an ignorance respecting common things 

 and look with startled, meaningless stare, when 

 conversation was turned -upon the occupations of 

 the laboring classes. And I did once hear of a la- 

 dy inquiring of a gentleman "what that animal w^as 

 with powder horns growing in its forehead ?" as 

 she pointed to a cow ! But all this compels us to 

 say from our souls that we "loathe all affectation," 

 and to affirm, that such are absurdities of society. 

 We believe, that this all occurs, because, that an 

 erroneous idea, as to tvhat is really excellent, ad- 

 mirable, in the female character, is prevalent in so- 

 ciety ; and we hope our New England farmers' 

 daughters will be up and doing in this matter, and 

 see to it, that they live it down. Why, ladies, po- 

 ets have sung about "bonnie lassies" that have 

 milked the cows, and husked the golden eared 

 corn, so don't pout, if it should be known that you 

 have done such an act, in your life-time, for we do 

 not believe poetry ever emanated from real vul- 

 garity ! 



But I would not exclude refinement and elegance 

 from the farmer's household. I would advocate 

 the introduction of gravelled walks, climbing roses, 

 luscious fruits, along with plump pumpkins, round 

 cabbage heads, mealy potatoes, golden corn, the 

 best breeds of cattle and swine, and the chemical 

 compost to be made without-doors, while within, we 

 would approbate the rosewood piano, that its tones 

 might cheer up father, when he looks too much 

 upon life's "shady side," and to make brother for- 

 get his bone-aches, while he joins in the duet with 

 his rich, manly voice, after he has been plowing all 

 day ; all of which makes mother ply her knitting- 

 needles more vigorously, while a tear will stand in 

 her eye, in spite of her, as she looks over her glass- 

 es upon her household treasures, and her heart goes 

 out in one great throb of love toward them, and 

 she is grateful to God that He has lent them unto 

 her! 



Brussel-carpets, alabaster statuary, and carved 

 mahogany and fanciful ornaments, are as appropri- 

 ate for the farm-house, where means will afibrd, as 

 they are for the dwellings of the moustached law- 

 yer, or princely merchant, while the introduction of 

 such refinements have a softening, elevating influ- 

 ence. But the sons and daughters strive to prove 

 that themselves are the most attractive ornaments, 

 and blend utility with beauty. 



Allow me to say one word to the farmer's sons 

 of our country. Let not a blush suffuse your cheek 

 or deteriorate from your estimation of yourselves, 

 because it has been your destiny to labor hard. If 

 you are upright and honest, if you but aspire af- 



