^IDIDI^ESS. 



Mr. President^ and Members of the Ussex Agricultural So" 

 ciety. Ladies and Gentlemen : 



It is a matter of the most interesting nature, calculated to 

 call forth our most sincere congratulations, that we come up 

 to our annual festival covered and crowned with so many 

 blessings, which the good and gracious God of the seasons 

 has been pleased to vouchsafe unto us. 



We have come, inmost instances, from homes oi peace, 

 and plenty, from fruitful fields and meadows, rich with corn 

 and crops of various kinds in great abundance. We have 

 come from our flocks and herds, bearing it may be upon our 

 persons the invigorating breath of our healthful companions, 

 mingled with the aroma of new mown hay and the fragrance 

 of the wild flowers upon which our careless feet have trodden. 

 We have come from the scenes of our toil and our triumphs, 

 where we have learned many a valuable lesson, both in suc- 

 cess and defeat. From the earth that received the seed into 

 her generous soil and returned it back to us increased a thou- 

 sand fold, and from our helpers in our work, in the house, 

 in the stalls, and on the farm, lessons oi faith and trust, of 

 h(ype and courage, oi patience and perseverance, even from the 



