PRACTICAL FARMER. 



155 



of China, whicli contains only one thousand square 

 jniles, being less tiian a seventh part of this State, 

 vvhicli has a jiopulation of 400,000, or 400 to a 

 square mile. There is not a town upon it, the 

 inhabitants living in hamlets and single houses 

 scattered all over the surface, and the oidy articles 

 cultivated are rice, cotton, millet, an<l culinary 

 vegetables. 



The dit!^*erence between the number of inhabi- 

 tants to the square mile in the United States and 

 th.it of China is still more striking, as in the for- 

 mer there are only six while in the latter there 

 are 268. if, therefore, our whole country should 

 be as thickly po])ulatcd, the census would be 589,- 

 600,000, and if the increase should continue in 

 the ratio which it has done, during the last forty 

 years, it would require only 125 for this vast ac- 

 cumulation, a period, but little exceeding twice 

 that of our brief existence, as an independent na- 

 tion. 



If our climate is as congenial, our soil as teem- 

 ing, and our skies more bright, why is it thai a 

 country life is not so fervently desired, — -^o much 

 the theme of universal disquisition, and so nuich 

 the object of unqualified admiration, as in other 

 and far less propitious lands ? Where, under the 

 broad heavens, have been more lavishly bestowed 

 whatever man can ask of a beneficent Providence, 

 to supply his wants, administer to his comforts, 

 and insure his felicity ? 



The topographical features of 3Iassachusetts 

 are more diversified, more interesting, and can be 

 more speedily and perfectly embellished by culti- 

 vation, than even the northern Hesperides. The 

 state is traverseci in all directions, either by ma- 

 jestic rivers or copious streams. Lofty mountains, 

 from whose rugged tlanks gush forth jjerennial 

 springs, and beautiful hills, clothed with forests to 

 their very summits, give grandeur to the scenery ; 

 picturesque vallies everywhere invite attention, 

 and promise as smiling and happy aspects as 

 those whose loveliness is preserved in Grecian 

 song ; innumerable lakes, s| angled with verdant 

 islets, and floral stars, are scattered over the whole 

 area of our territory. The sea coast abounds in 

 capacious bays, broad estuari'fs, commanding pro- 

 montories, and beetling cliffs ; and in addition to 

 our catalogue of superb forest trees, there is a 

 profusion of shrubs, and wild flowers, which are 

 so unrivalled in variety and splendor, that they 

 constitute some of the most choice collections in 

 the conservatories, sumptuous gardens and rural 

 plantations of Euro|)e. 



The comruon idea associated with a residence 

 in the counirj', is that of profit, — that an income 

 should be realized from all expenditures there 

 made. But why, it may be asked, make this dis- 

 tinction, so unfavorable in its eflects, to the [)ros- 

 perityand improvement of the country ? Are the 



magnificent edifices, costi}' furniture, and luxuri- 

 ous indulgencies in cities and large towns, sources 

 of income ? Are they not, rather, intended to 

 administer to the comfort anil gratify the taste of 

 the proprietors, without any regard to the cost, or 

 any expectation of revenue ? Why then should 

 it be urged, that such investments siiould yield an 

 income, because the location is on ihe borders of 

 a river or stream, in the midst of a forest, or em- 

 bowered in some secluded vale ? The answer is 

 difficult. Yet, on the other hand, it can be shown 

 that a less extravagant expenditure in the country 

 M'ill produce infinitely more interesting and im|)o- 

 sing results. It is not in buildings that n]OJiey 

 should be expended. Ihe more simple and neat 

 their structure, the better will they comport with 

 our laws for the distribution of projjerty, the ge- 

 nius of oiu- government, and the habits of tho 

 people. Here architectural taste should be guided 

 by economy. It is in the improvement of the 

 grounds which surround the establishment, that is 

 so nuich required, to render the country desirable 

 as a place of residence. Here it is that wealth 

 and intelligence and taste can do so much, — can 

 produce such striking efl^ects, and contribute more 

 to the enjoyment of- life, than it is possible to 

 accomplish in the midst of a city, even by the 

 lavish expenditures of a Semiramis. 



Is not a garden, extensive grounds, umbrageous 

 waiks,, verdant lawns, and sj arkling cascades, 

 quite as interesting objects, as tho massive piles of 

 brick and stone, which are wedged in continuous 

 ranges, on the thronged and dusty avenues of a 

 metropolis. Is not the distant landscape, whether 

 radiant in the ricli and various tints of vernal lux- 

 iM'iance, or clad in the gorgeous dra|)eries of au- 

 tumn, — the melodious concert of the birds, — 

 the sunset splendors of the western sky, — the 

 congenial serenity of summer's bland and dewy 

 eve, — 



The breezy call of inconse-bieathing' morn, 



The cock's shrill clarion, and the echoing horn, — 



quite as elevating to the mind, soothinir to the 

 soul, and congenial to the heart; as sublime and 

 inspiring as "the slir of the great Babel," and the 

 deafening surge of that living deep, which resounds 

 through all her gates? 



Refinements of all kinds have a powerful influ- 

 ence in elevating the character of mankind, by 

 enlarging the sphere of observation, curbing the 

 out-breakings of the passions, fostering private 

 virtue, and improving the public morals; and to 

 prescribe the line of denjarcation, within which 

 taste shall be restrained, is as pre]josterous as to 

 establish the limits of intellectual attainments. 

 Every amelioration which has been made from 

 the rudest, wildest, and most savage comjition of 

 the human race, niay, with as much propriety be 

 denounced as superfluous and extravagant. It is 



