278 



ADVICE TO A YOUNG FARMER. 



Too true was the assertion of Lord B;icon, that all the 

 crimes on the earth do not destroy so many of the hu- 

 man race, nor alienate so much property, as drunken- 

 ness. It expels reason — drowns the memory — is the 

 beg-gars companion — and the true and only cause of the 

 vast increase uf crime in the work). There is certainly 

 no character which appears so despicable as that of a 

 drunkard ; he displays every little spot in his soul in its 

 utmost deformity. When once the youth become^^ a 

 devotee at the shrine of Bacchus, and fond of his liba- 

 tions, it is time for him to think. Let Iiim not lull his 

 conscience with the delusive idea of quitting when he 

 chooses, but take a noble stand, and from that moment 

 cease indulging- in his cup. Drunkenness, that fell de- 

 stroyer of mind and morals, has elicited the exhortation 

 of the preacher — the pen of the moralist — the warning 

 of the physician — the remonstrance of relations, and the 

 yawning of the grave — but all will not do. It has 

 reached an awful and alarming height — it daily in- 

 creases. It is known to require an extraordinary and 

 noble firmness of the heart to resist its blandishments 

 end allurements. Is it then the temptation you are to 

 quit when you choose ? — Ah ! no — young friends, heark- 

 en to advice ; when the seductive goblet is offered to 

 your lij)s, think not you will once more sip the liquid 

 poison because you can quit when you choose ; but con- 

 sider that cup may probably be the one that will establish 

 that habit with j'ou, which you will never be able there- 

 after to conquer, and dash the proffered cup with indig- 

 nation to the ground. (For suitable drinks in hot 

 weather, see the article Harvesting.) 



When youn^ men take to gardening nnd planting, it 

 is an happy circXmistance, arjd they should lose no time 

 in the business, for it is a tiling that persons advanced 

 in years have often repented of. It produces considera- 

 ble satisfaction, and a peculiar pleasure, in the evening 

 of life, when a man can point at good trees, and say, 

 *■'• These are my own planting /" but it v.ere a superior 

 thing to add, " And of my own raising too."" 



It is the simultaneous duty of th=> tarmer, (says Mr. 

 Cowen^ of N. York.) to superadd to the cultivation of 

 his farm, that of his mind ; and to extend the same care 



