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must be independence of thought, and freedom of action, with 

 an energy of disposition which constantly aims at improvement 

 and is never satisfied until it is reached. And where are we to 

 look for the greatest display of these qualifications ? where are 

 they most certainly induced 1 Is it not in those climates which 

 are embraced between the southern and northern extremes of 

 the temperate zones, and in those localities too, where the soil is 

 not naturally the most remarkable for its fertility, or the physical 

 conformation of its area, the most favorable to the efforts of til- 

 lage; for there the greatest intelligence, genius, skill and in- 

 dustry are required to produce the desired effects ; and it is most 

 common, that in countries where these difficulties are to be 

 encountered, the best farmers are to be found, and the most in- 

 structive, as well as valuable results are obtained. This arises 

 from the constant demand of expedients, to surmount the numer- 

 ous obstacles to complete success, which the asperities of the 

 soil, the rigor of the climate and the labor of fertilization present; 

 as impediments in this, as in all other pursuits, have a direct 

 tendency to challenge enterprise and create the means for over- 

 coming them. Activity is thereby given to talents, ingenuity 

 is roused and that determination of character formed, which nei- 

 ther admits of impossibilities, yields to adverse circumstances, or 

 halts in its course, until the object sought is attained. 



But there never has been anything great achieved where there 

 were not difficulties to be encountered. It is thus that the 

 noblest faculties of the mind have been wrought up to the exer- 

 cise of their highest powers, and man to the display of his 

 immeasurable resources. Every conception of an important truth 

 is accompanied by the cheering belief of witnessing its verifica- 

 tion ; and the triumph over obstructions in its developement is 

 as exhilarating to the philosopher and artist, as victory to the 

 warrior. It matters not what is the exaggerated magnitude or 

 apparent insignificance of the inquiry, it cannot be prosecuted 

 with any prospect of success, unless there is an ardent disposi- 

 tion, accompanied by that indomitable spirit of perseverance, 

 which puts at defiance all hazards and all odds. Whether the 

 object of accomplishment or investigation be the construction of 

 a Roman aqueduct or the stringing of a lute, the geology of 

 the globe or the anatomy of a beetle, the discovery of a new 



