8 



One should weigh well this matter, and consider 

 whether, for the sake of covering a larger surface Avith 

 his title deeds, he is willing to lose the associations of 

 his childhood, the fellowship of brothers and sisters, and 

 the loving presence of father and mother, with all the 

 privileges and enjoyments of a New England home. — 

 These are things for which breadth of acres and depth 

 of soil are not to be reckoned as equivalents. 



When the paternal estate is small, and the family is 

 large, so that the farm Avhen divided would not afford to 

 each a fair opportunity for success, then it may be ne- 

 cessary for some of them to exile themselves ; and, if 

 their tastes are for agriculture, the West affords an am- 

 ple and inviting field. It needs those who, imbued with 

 New England principles, will use their influence in be- 

 half of a high social and moral culture, and it presents, 

 to the enterprising and industrious, abundant opportuni- 

 ties for the acquisition of Avealth. We should be willing 

 to admit that the chances of ])econiing rich — especially 

 in farming — are greater for that portion of the family 

 which emigrates than for those who remain at home. 



But the actual value of wealth is in its power to pro- 

 cure that which, in some way, will promote the comfort, 

 enjoyment, or improvement of its possessor. Judged by 

 this criterion, the lesser amount secured by him who 

 remains at home, may be, to the larger share gained 

 by the other, as gold to silver — less bulk}^, but more 

 valuable ; for, while the fields are not so broad, nor the 

 soil so deep, while the enclosures are more contracted 

 and the crops are less luxuriant, while occasional steeps 

 and knolls and boulders, and ledges of rock, present 

 more difficulties to the cultivator, and the same number 

 of acres do not yield such full and generous returns, it 



