FRANKLIN SOCIETY. 63 



ornamental grounds, it arises from their knowledge of the con- 

 nection of which we are speaking, and they would seem to be 

 virtuous by exhibiting the garb of virtue. The virtuous family, 

 whether in the crowded city, or in the wilds of a new settle- 

 ment, in connection with supplying their physical wants, will, 

 gratify their moral feelings in the production of articles that are 

 ornamental. But the vicious man, if uninfluenced by the vir- 

 tuous about him, and especially if he be alone, will always live 

 in filth and rags. Verily his heart and his external condition 

 should, and they do correspond. The good taste, which we 

 sometimes see in the productions of men of great genius, yet of 

 corrupt morals, is too inconstant to mistake its origin. It is 

 exhibited by such men only when their moral feelings are some- 

 what correct. 



It is true, however, not all those who are equally virtuous 

 spend the same time in rendering the products of their own 

 hands beautiful. Indeed, it is not the duty of the poor to de- 

 vote the same amount of time, even if they desire it, in orna- 

 menting articles of dress for their own wardrobes, or in shaping 

 and polishing into good taste the various implements manufac- 

 tured by themselves for carrying on their own craft, as the indi- 

 viduals who have more money, and consequently more time, at 

 their command. But as poverty gives way to competency, 

 and competency to affluence, through personal labor, there will 

 be an increasing desire in all virtuous minds, to have every 

 thing in the house, in the shop, or on the farm, in good taste. 



The products of the hands being appropriate expressions of 

 the moral feelings, we may say then to the gentlemen, and es- 

 pecially to the ladies, who have so cheerfully labored to make 

 the fair a beautiful one, you may study ornament in the produc- 

 tions of your hands, and at the same time be answering one of 

 the noblest ends of your being. 



It is too true, that we have, in our own community, some in- 

 dividuals, of various employments, who need salutary impres- 

 sions from some source on this subject. We might specify some 

 farmers, and those, too, who are abundantly able to have things 

 in better taste, whose ploughs, carts, wagons and tools of various 

 kinds ; whose cattle, horses and harnesses are so poor, miserable 



