24 MR. perry's address. 



community, and that as the design of the annual exhibition is 

 public improvement, whoever has it in his power to promote 

 this end and yet withholds his assistance, fails in some of the ob- 

 ligations of a good citizen. All should be forward to learn, and 

 all according to their means to communicate information. Al- 

 most all persons have some skill or success in their efforts pecu- 

 liar to themselves, and therefore have it in their power to do 

 something for the general benefit. Every thing of a useful char- 

 acter adds something to the interest of the occasion, while the 

 amount of good must depend greatly on the number and variety 

 of the specimens brought forward. All who can, should be pre- 

 sent on such occasions, and those who come should bring some- 

 thing with them : even should it not prove the best, its exhibition 

 may still be useful. The man who brings the best he has, is en- 

 titled to praise, while he who has brought nothing, certainly has 

 no right to complain if he find but little to interest or instruct 

 him ; and least of all should those complain who affect to be 

 dissatisfied with the way in which things are conducted here and 

 yet do not devise and set in operation better ways. 



I must take the liberty to address a few observations to the 

 numerous and respectable assembly of ladies present on this oc- 

 casion. I regard with peculiar interest the part they take in 

 the object for which we are together, for a sentiment early em- 

 braced has been confirmed by observation in every succeeding 

 year, that the enterprise, industry, the moral character, gentle- 

 manly conduct, and love of home in men has a most intimate 

 and close connexion with the order, taste and skill with which 

 things are managed at home. I should not be at all appre- 

 hensive in bringing the correctness of this sentiment to the test, 

 by carrying this assembly to the houses and showing them the 

 husbands, the fathers and brothers of those who have contributed 

 by their invention and industry to the interest of this day, or 

 now favor us by their presence. 



I suppose the females in this county have contributed their 

 full proportion to the interest and usefulness of these exhibitions, 

 and very sure ami that they have derived their full share of ad- 

 vantage from them. I have in several instances been personally 



