MARKET DAYS. 841 



turn the current of trade into the new channels ; but it would 

 come, and the wonder would then be that the work had not 

 been undertaken long ago. 



It may be objected to these fairs, too, that they are not 

 adapted to the habits of our people ; that tliey partake too 

 much of the character of holidays to be favorably received by 

 them. But, it may be asked, how can this be determined with- 

 out making the trial ? In fact, it is in our power to give to 

 them just such a character as we please. And should they 

 become the means of inducing our farmers to spend a few 

 hours occasionally in innocent and rational recreation, it may 

 well be questioned whether the effect on their minds or morals 

 would be at all injurious. It is the bow that is always bent 

 that looses its elasticity, so the mind that is constantly intent 

 on business and is never unstrung in social intercourse, loses 

 its quickness of perception and its keenness of judgment ; the 

 heart that is never warmed into a genial glow of cheerfulness 

 and pleasure, becomes cold and torpid. We should not be 

 sorry to see as an effect of these fairs, more of the " good 

 humor and all social affections and generous sentiments among 

 the people," which the constitution specially enjoins upon legis- 

 lators and magistrates in all future periods of this Common- 

 wealth to countenance and inculcate. 



Other objections might be raised to an enterprise so novel 

 and untried as this would be among us. It is not necessary, 

 however, to go into the further consideration of them for the 

 reason that we cannot conceive of any sufficiently serious to 

 require it. It should be borne in mind that the practical ques- 

 tion is, not whether there are any evils to which these fairs 

 might be liable, but whether they would be overbalanced by 

 the positive benefits resulting from them. And this question 

 could best, and perhaps only, be settled by an actual experi- 

 ment of establishing them. And this brings us to the 

 consideration of the best practical method of commencing and 

 continuing these fairs throughout the State, so as to create new 

 markets for the farmer. 



And first it would be highly desirable, if not essential, that 

 the farmers of the Commonwealth should be more fully 

 informed as to the working of these fairs, and the advantages 

 to be expected from them, in order to their co-operating with 



