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elated, whose patriotic ardor has experienced no retiring ebb, 

 and whose munificent contributions, lessons of instruction and 

 practical labors will be enduring monuments of their fame. 

 Other portions of the republic can boast of like benefactors. 

 Still there is much to be done ; and if there is an earnest and 

 generous co-operation, much can be accomplished by individual 

 enterprise, numerous and active associations, and governmental 

 encouragement. We have already experienced, in this State, 

 the beneficial consequences of all these influences. It is to be 

 traced in our gardens, orchards and fields in our flocks and 

 herds, our farm-houses and villages, from the bleak shores of 

 the ocean, to the luxuriant banks of the Housatonic. 



Within a few years the occupation of a farmer has been ele- 

 vated in general estimation ; a residence in the country has 

 become more desirable among those who have accumulated for- 

 tunes in other pursuits, and a taste for useful and ornamental 

 culture evinced, which are full of promise for the future. But 

 to rival other nations, there must be a more thorough change 

 effected in public opinion. Here, unfortunately and inexplica- 

 bly, the fashion has been in favor of congregating in large towns 

 and cities, as well among such as have been reared or acquired 

 fortunes there, as those who were born and reached affluence in 

 the interior ; while in England the reverse has been the univer- 

 sal taste. There the nobleman and commoner, the statesman, 

 orator and poet, the generals of armies and the admirals of fleets, 

 the merchant and manufacturer, and men of fortune and intelli- 

 gence in every rank and station, consider the country not merely 

 the most desirable, but the only proper residence of a gentleman. 

 It is in fact an indispensable prerequisite to the assumption of that 

 character, and obtaining the position in society which it com- 

 mands, while the towns and cities are deemed but as temporary 

 abodes, or as the places where means may be acquired by such 

 as do riot inherit an estate, for indulging, at some future period, 

 in the comforts, honors and luxuries of a country life. It is to 

 this enlightened sentiment that may be traced all that there is 

 of freedom in that flourishing empire. It was in consequence 

 of this condition of society, that civil liberty was there so early 

 established, and has been so gloriously maintained, while it has 

 either never been enioyed, or been speedily cloven down, in all 



