248 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 



radise than it is to us, oi- has been to those who ha%'e ex- 

 isted on it in preccdinj; times. As the terms of exis- 

 tence are less severe, ami the blessings flowing from 

 peace, industry and t!ie eulfiv ation of our taculties, in- 

 comparably giea\^r thai.' what leli to the lot of our more 

 ba; Duroiis predecessors ; we &re morally bound, in oui* 

 exertions for our deeeendents, to ie])ay the obli- 

 gations which we have received from the viriuons ex- 

 ertions of those who have preceded us. Every year 

 of a good man's life will be marked by some act, 

 the ad. aiitages of which shall be felt by his pofterity. 

 The tree he plants, the sj^r'ng he opens, the house he 

 builds, are valuable donations to posterity.— they 

 prove the utility of his existence, and he may look upon 

 him^el^as an instrument in the hand of Providence, for 

 diliiisiuii, h > bouities. If theiefore, we can be useful 

 to ourselves whilst here, and benevolent to succeeding^ 

 generaUons, let us lose 2> ) !ime in indecision and api»- 

 th>', for the opportunity soon passes by. It is in so- 

 ciety only that great objects can be accomplished; for 

 what is beyond the })0\ver of the individual, can be effec- 

 ted with ease by the ui) ted exertions ol many. So uni- 

 versally is this truth felt, that in every modern nation 

 exist numerous societies, each of u hieh is employed in the 

 pursuit of useful knowledge, in some art, or science, con- 

 nected with the public weal. To collect facts, to analise 

 or combine them, and diltuse the useful results of that 

 labor, on any imj)ortant subject, requiies the leisure 

 and /talents of several individuals. If connected witli 

 botany and agriculture, it requires in addition, both pe- 

 cuniary resources and a considerable lapse of time. 

 Highly important toanaton, as respects its support^ 

 its Strength and its commerce, it becomes an object of 

 considerable impoi tance to its government, especially 

 when the interest of the government is thai of the peo- 

 ple. If Agiicuituie and Botany, , claim and receive 

 th- national aid and indn idual j)atronage in countries 

 lull of people; aau whose prguucis are Known, — is lliat 



