THE RUKAL SOCRATES. i8i 



Advertifement by the French I'ranfiator, 



THAT I might leave nothing omitted (fays the 

 Tranflator) capable of clearing up the important quef- 

 tion refpedling oxen and horfes, at \^z9i with rei- 

 pedt to Switzerland, I addrefTed my inquiries to 

 one of the Swifs mofl worthy to contend with M. 

 de IVlirabeaii ; to a perfon to whom antient Greece 

 v/ould have erected flatues, and to whom thofe of his 

 countrymen capable of eflimating his m.erit have eredc- 

 ated flatues in their hearts. This friend of mankind 

 and excellent citizen i.-. M. Tfchiffeli, Secretary of the 

 Supreme Council and Vice-Prefident of the Economical 

 Society of Berne.** It is to his excellent views and 

 indefatigable exertions, that the latter, which is one of 

 the fineft inflitutions in Switzerland * * owes its cxifl- 

 ence and active principles.^ *j 



l^etier addrcjjed by M. Tfchiffeli to the French Tranjla- 



tor, 



ALL the obiervations of the Marquis de Mirabeau on 

 the contracted and difadvantageous fcale cf hufbandry 

 purfucd by our Kliyogg, may be reduced to this general 

 queftion — Is it more profitable to plough with horfes or 

 with oxen ? a very material inquiry, which deferves a 

 thorough examination in every country, diflrid:, or par- 

 ticular eflate, and under all poflible circumflances. 



The autbxjrity of Monfieur de Mirabeau, the ^rfl 

 genius, perhaps, of the age in comprehending the true 

 principles of agriculture, is undoubtedly of confiderable 

 weight : nor can any perfon have a more exalted re- 

 ipe£t for that nobleman's knowledge and zeal ioT the 

 good of mankind. I know him under the title, fojud- 

 ly acquired^ oi l^ami des hommes [the friend of men :] — 

 but we are each of us in fearch of truth ; and I am under 

 rjo apprehenfions of offending him by differing in opin- 

 ion on a capital point of ?.griculture, 1 



