8 DR. spofford's address. 



in many instances have led to happy results ; but how many, 

 even of those who have succeeded well in their plans, while en- 

 during their tremendous responsibilities, their anxious cares, and 

 their ruinous risks, have envied the farmer, who free from those 

 cares, is tranquil by day, and finds repose and refreshment at 

 night, in sound oblivious sleep ; and who, independent of the 

 breath of popularity, or the fortune of trade, depends for prosper- 

 perty only on himself and heaven. 



Agriculture at the present day, instead of being a mean, servile 

 employment, is now justly ranked as an important science ; and 

 the studies of the learned are now often directed to the most 

 laudable employment of multiplying the fruits of the earth, and 

 improving the quality of the fruiis produced. 



Chemistry no longer examines the material worid in search of 

 fictitious wealth. Philosophers have become convinced that in 

 transmuting the simple elements into grain and fruit, fit for the 

 nourishment of men and animals, they perform a much more 

 useful service than they would have done had they succeeded 

 in transmuting iron into gold, or lead into silver. 



The long sought art of transmuting metals, though it might 

 enrich the discoverer, would now be considered of questionable 

 utility. The art of multiplying the fruits of the earth, has 

 already spread the most sohd comfort over this and other lands : 

 and nearly banished want and famine from the civilized world ; 

 and yet so far is that art from having reached its maximum, 

 that even in this State, though more thickly inhabited than any 

 other portion of this Union, no doubt can reasonably remain but 

 that three times its present inhabitants might be sustained oa 

 our own soil. 



When our soil shall be thoroughly analyzed, and every acre 

 applied to its appropriate use, and when the increase of popula- 

 tion, or a diminished supply from abroad, shall turn our attention 

 to our own resources, our now naked plains will be loaded with 

 luxuriant vegetation, and our hills shall wave with the golden 

 harvest. 



Even that vast extension of manufactures which already strains 

 the Merrimack through flumes and wheels, and threatens even to 



