8 



shores, he would in behalf of the meeting, pledge to 

 him, on this occasion, their respectful and undivided 

 attention. 



Mr. Webster began with stating that he regarded 

 agriculture as the leading interest of society ; and 

 as having, in all its relations, a direct and intimate 

 bearing upon human comfort and the national pros- 

 perity. He had been familiar with its operations in 

 his youth ; and he had always looked upon the sub- 

 ject with a lively and deep interest. He did not es- 

 teem himself to be particularly qualified to judge of 

 the subject in all its various aspects and departments ; 

 and he neither himself regarded, nor would he have 

 others regard his opinions as authoritative ; but the 

 subject had been one of careful observation to him, 

 both in public and private life ; and his visit to Eu- 

 rope, at a season of the year particularly favorable 

 for this purpose, had given him the opportunity of 

 seeing its improved husbandry, and as far as it might 

 be interesting, or would have a bearing upon the sub- 

 ject of the evening's discussion, the agriculture of 

 Massachusetts, he would, as the meeting appeared to 

 expect, say a few words upon what had attracted his 

 notice. 



How far, in a question of this kind, the example of 

 other countries was to be followed, was an inquiry 

 worthy of much consideration. The example of a 

 foreign country might be too closely followed. It 

 would furnish a safe rule of imitation only as far as 



