TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. 113 



acres, he was struck with amazement ; he had never before wit- 

 nessed such a crop. His foret'atliers had none of the kind. It 

 was indeed uncommonly tine ; he viewed it, and handled it, and 

 exclaimed, " Well, surely this is a lamentable fine thing : I will 

 immediately set about tive acres : Oh ! fool that I was ! but I 

 really could never believe it was possible to have so weighty a 

 shew in so dry a season." He added, scratching his head, *' I 

 now perceive that you gentlemen farmers are not so much to be 

 despised as we thought of." I thanked him for his compliment. 



Thus, by perseverance and example, I succeeded in removing 

 from Homespun, and the rest of my mulish guests, who were all 

 attracted by my lucerne, the strong prejudice under wliich they 

 laboured to.vards old custom, and against book-farming. Their 

 visits daily became more frequent ; my opinions were listened to, 

 and received, with more respect and decorum than was usual at 

 the commencement of our acquaintance. There was an end of 

 their sly jeering and jokes, which did not escape my penetration ; 

 and I soon became a sort of oracle amoiig them, whom they 

 eagerly consulted at those times when they came to see my " new- 

 fangled husbandry," as they called it, many parts of which they 

 did not, however, fail to imitate ; but not till they saw it was 

 their interest to do so. 



In turning the minds of men from ancient custom, or deep- 

 rooted prejudice, we must naturally expect to encounter difficulties. 

 The most forcible arguments are of no avail : but once shew them 

 a successful example ; prove to them, practically, the advantages 

 they will derive, and self-interest will do the rest. 



By such means no one need despair of converting the most 

 obstinate. Enlightened and liberal minds are, indeed, far more 

 easy to persuade. Indubitable testimony of what has already 

 been done, and even the opinions of men who have been dislii;- 



Q 



