NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



15 



credit of what he did. The confidence that noble 

 action will be duly appreciated by those who come 

 after us, is one of the strongest incentives to noble 

 efforts. 



My particular purpose, in taking pen in hand, was 

 to inform you that I have just now received the en- 

 tire agricultural library of the late Mr. Colnian, pur- 

 chased at a cost of $2.50, to form the basis of an agri- 

 cultural library, for the use of the Essex County 

 Society. It is confidently believed, that a subscrip- 

 tion adequate to the purchase wOI readily be ob- 

 tained. But if it should not, it may be doubted 

 whether one half of one year's income of existing 

 funds could be better applied, than in the purchase of 

 four hundred volumes of the best books on agriculture. 



I know there are some who say, those who want to 

 read had better buy their own books ; — and if they 

 conveniently could, perhaps they had. But is it not 

 true, that there are hundreds who do not now read a 

 volume in a year, who would read many, if they 

 could have access to a library, judiciously selected 

 and freely offered? 



The fear of violating ray own rule, in multiplying 

 words without ideas, forbids my saying more. If 

 what I write, or what is enclosed, is worthy your 

 notice, it is at your service. 



Yery respectfully and truly yours, 



Nov. 20, 1849, J. W. P. 



The committee appointed at the late meeting of the 

 Society, to report to the trustees such action as is 

 proper to be taken in relation to the Rev. Henry 

 CoLM.VN, who died at Islington, near London, August 

 11, 1849, set. 64, submit the following preamble and 

 resolutions. J, W. Peoctoe, Chairman. 



Nov. 19, 1849. 



The journals of our own and foreign lands have 

 recently recorded the death of Rev. Henry Colman, 

 and borne ample testimony to his eminent private 

 worth and public usefulness. 



The church, at whose altars he ministered with 

 distinguished ability, has already rendered a beauti- 

 ful tribute to his memory. 



The homes of affluence and ease, of penury and 

 suffering, — in all of which his presence was greeted 

 with equal cordiality, imparting to the one additional 

 delight by his agreeable vivacity and intelligence ; 

 diffusing, in the other, unwonted joy by his sympathy 

 and charities — are now saddened with grief. 



A distinct expression of the deep sense of bereave- 

 ment sustained by this Society, with whom he had so 

 long been connected as associate and trustee, should 

 be placed upon our records. The vivid impressions 

 on our minds should be preserved for the benefit of 

 those who may come after us. Services so valuable 

 should not be forgotten. A character like his should 

 be registered for imitation. The possession of his 

 virtues would brighten and bless every farmer's life, 

 and gladden every farmer's home. He was, in truth, 

 one of whom it may justly be said, " We shall not 

 look upon his like again." With a childlike simplici- 

 ty of character, that adapted itself to every circle, 

 and to all occasions, he was every where at home, 

 and always, in whatever company he might be, the 

 centre of attraction. He was never at case, except 

 when actively engaged in doing good. Pew men 

 have accomplished so much in a life of the same 

 length ; and what he effected causes a deeper regret, 

 that he eould not have been spared to complete what 

 he had contemplated. 



Mr. Colman was always an ardent lover of Nature, 

 and accustomed to find recreation and delight in the 

 study of her works. In the various branches of agri- 

 culture and horticulture, he ever manifested a special 

 interest. His aid was freely given, and not without 

 marked results, to every effort to encourage the study 

 .and to improve the practice of these arts. Immedi- 



ately 0!l coming into this county, he became a mem- 

 ber of this Society, and has been distinguished as one 

 of its most active supporters. The farmers of Essex 

 imperfectly know the obligations they are under for 

 the many services freely and voluntarily rendered for 

 their benefit. The pages of our Transactions bear 

 testimony to the zeal and ability with which he ac- 

 complished whatever he undertook. Whoever sliaU 

 glance his eye over these, for the ten years next fol- 

 lowing 1830, will find more than two hundred from his 

 pen, eoverii^ the entire field of the farmer's labor, 

 and marked by a keenness of perception and felicity 

 of expression rarely found in such productions. The 

 same sparkling brilliancy which beamed from his eye, 

 radiated from all liis paragraphs. His inimitable liu- 

 mor never failed to arrest and enchain the attention 

 of the reader. However repulsive the subject, he 

 had the faculty so to present it as to avoid offence, 

 without the least sacrifice of truth. No subject was 

 too abstruse for his philosophic reflection — none too 

 minute for his searching observation. It is not too 

 much to say, that to him are we indebted, as much 

 as to anj' other, while he was among us, for interest- 

 ing and instructive communications. When a com- 

 missioner for the commonwealth was to be appoint- 

 ed, his ardor in the pursuit of agricultural science 

 marked him as the fit agent to accomplish the desire 

 of the state. In discharging the duties of this office, 

 he became favorably and extensively known. The 

 fruits of his labors are plainly to be seen in the im- 

 proved methods of farming, and in the increased 

 interest and respect with which the pursuit of the 

 farmer is regarded. He inspired many with fresh 

 courage and hope, who were disheartened by repeat- 

 ed failures, or discouraged with little success. He 

 awakened a generous emulation, which brought into 

 active operation a great amount of dormant energy, 

 and replaced, by industry and skill, what, in many 

 cases, had been lost through sloth or ignorance. If 

 there are any who were inclined to question the util- 

 ity of tills commission, there are probably few who 

 could match the industry and perseverance with 

 wliich its duties were discharged. If there are any 

 who are disposed to ca^-il at the accuracy of Mr. Col- 

 man's facts and opinions, there arc probably none 

 who will deny the salutary impulse he gave to agri- 

 cultural improvements. 



In the autumn of 1842, Mr. Colman embarked for 

 Europe, intending to make such a survey of the in- 

 dustrial and agricultural pursuits of other lands, as 

 would not only gratify his own long-cherished de- 

 sires, but would enable him to present to his coun- 

 trymen examples worthy of imitation. Upon his 

 arrival in England, he became the object of attention 

 and respect, such as had rarely been shown to any 

 private citizen. The privilege of familiar intercourse 

 with the highest classes of society was freely accord- 

 ed to him, securing, at once, the most refined social 

 and intellectual enjoyments. The field now open 

 before him, expanded beyond his utmost expecta- 

 tion ; and though it offered much to encourage and 

 gratify, j'ct, to explore it fully, and to reap its fruits, 

 demanded the most exhausting labor. All the ener- 

 gies of body and mind were put in constant requisi- 

 tion. Nor should it be forgotten, how the finer sym- 

 patliies of the heart, always active, were intensely 

 excited by the examples of suffering and misery con- 

 stantly presented to his view. 



After six years' absence, Mr. Colman returned in 

 the autumn of 1848 ; but his health was so impaired, 

 that lie was compelled to rclin(iuish many of the 

 plans that he had contemplated. His ever active 

 benevolence prompted him to many efforts, which his 

 failing strength could no longer sustain. At the 

 unanimous request of this board, he readily assented 

 to deliver the address at our late anniversary, (if life 

 and health permitted — a condition, added by him. 



