84 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



are conscious, it is asserted, of no kindling emotion, — no admir- 

 ing thoughts. 



The charge is probably exaggerated. I hope it is. But 

 whatever insensibility of this sort exists, it is to be attributed, 

 due allowance being made for the effect of familiarity, to want 

 of intellectual culture, especially culture of the two faculties of 

 observation and reflection. The habit of observation lies at the 

 foundation of the pleasures of a country life, as in fact, of 

 im])rovemcnt of every kind. Yet in nothing do persons more 

 differ than in the degree of activity of this faculty. There are 

 those who never observe accurately, — never see, unless a penny 

 is to be turned, — and whose minds are never, therefore, open to 

 the sweet influences of nature. The sun rises and sets, lights 

 and shadows vary and blend to infmitude almost, the green 

 earth smiles, the clouds assume their gorgeous forms and hues, 

 the seasons fill their circle, and processes full of marvels are 

 incessantly going on, but it is all the same with the unobservant 

 mind. There is no enjoyment of nature, because the faculty of 

 attention has never been awakened ; the habit of observation 

 has never been formed. This must be cultivated, and reflection 

 will follow, and where these exist the farmer's life can never be 

 barren of pleasures. He can never want occupation for his 

 thoughts ; phenomena, which are perpetually taking place within 

 range of his vision, will stimulate his curiosity ; the pleasures 

 of taste will be his, and the delights of knowledge will kindle 

 in his eye. Intellectual will blend with moral and religious 

 pleasures, for nature, to the seeing eye and thinking mind, is 

 full of God. 



There is nothing, — not the simplest and most familiar of 

 nature's processes, which, to the full mind, is incapable of afford- 

 ing pleasure, if a little attention and thought are bestowed 

 upon it. Take as an illustration the fall of the dew. What 

 sweet images are connected with it in the poetry of all nations, — 

 in sacred and common literature ! And how beautiful is the 

 provision made for its descent, and its deposit Avhere most 

 needed ! Do you say that it lights on the barren as readily as 

 on the fertile spot, — on particles of sterile sand as abundantly 

 as on the green earth and tlie drooping leaf? No, it does not. 

 A more beneficent law is concerned in its formation. As the 

 air cools off in the absence of the sun, a portion of the watery 



