12 MR. gage's address. 



ed generation, who had been reared up to mental 

 independence and bodily vigor, amidst the pursuits of 

 agriculture. 



Much as the institutions and condition of ancient 

 Greece have been praised, we have reason to believe 

 that, in portions of her territory, the cultivators of the 

 earth feared to inhabit the open country and detach- 

 ed dwelhngs, at certain seasons. They were exposed 

 to the lawless depredations of marauders. We are 

 informed from sources* entitled to high credit, that 

 after the toils of the day, in the open country, the 

 husbandmen sought safety and shelter, by night, with- 

 in some walled city. They carried their arms into 

 the fields, and, like our fathers in New England, took 

 up the weapons of defence or the implements of hus- 

 bandry, as circumstances required. 



There is no man more fully independent, both in 

 spirit and condition, than the farmer. Receiving the 

 means of subsistence directly from the bounties of 

 Providence, he relies less than others, upon the aid 

 of those around him. If diligent, he may, ordinarily, 

 count upon a competency in the return of his labors, 

 and his mind is free from those perplexing cares con- 

 nected with pursuits liable to great and sudden fluc- 

 tuations. 



" Sure peace is his ; a solid life, 



Rich in content ; in nature's bounty rich." 



You are associated, gentlemen, to encourage and 

 improve a department of industry entitled to special 

 respect, as the supporter and protector of almost all 

 other arts and pursuits. What would become of com- 



* Mitford'a Greece, Xenophon's Anabasis. 



