MR. DRAM AN 's ADDRESS. 23 



gained prevalence, that, those who bestow their attention ex- 

 clusively upon soil, are less active in their intellectual habits, 

 less inquisitive, have less aptitude for making improvements, or 

 adopting those suggested by other, than those who have devot- 

 ed themselves to other branches of manual labor. 



There are some kinds of manufactures that exert the sam© 

 influence in a more indirect form. The powers that move 

 them, render their operations exceedingly rapid and exciting. 

 The incessant whirl and noise of the machinery, the quick 

 movement on the part of those who exercise superintendance 

 to supply the material for process, and regulate the work, the 

 close attention demanded, the regularity and precision, and 

 despatch with which every part of the fabric is elaborated 

 and brought into shape, communicate corresponding impres" 

 sions to the mind. The ideas of operatives are moulded by 

 the processes about them, and acquire an energy, order and 

 quickness which give a new cast to the intellectual character. 

 Agricultural operations are generally of a slow and quiet na- 

 ture. They do not admit of the application of that exten- 

 sive, complicated and rapidly moving machinery, which is made 

 use of in the manufacturing arts. The force of steam is said 

 to have been, in some instances, made use of to move the 

 plough, but then the celerity with which it is drawn through 

 the furrows, must be limited by the power of speed in the persou 

 who follows ; unless an apparatus should be invented which 

 should sustain and guide itself, or admit of being directed by 

 a person to whom it should at the same time, serve as a con- 

 veyance, the use of this wonderful agent, for such purposes is- 

 of questionable practicability ; and even then, it could be em- 

 ployed only in those smooth and clear soils, where no fast 

 stones and other impediments exist, to render a rapid progress- 

 destructive to the implement. 



Now the mental habits of the farm laborer, take, where 

 no counteracting circumstances exist, the cast of his em- 

 ployment. The slow manner in which it is conducted, and 

 its unexciting nature exercises an assimilating influence up- 

 on his temperament. The ox has little elasticity in his move- 

 ments. The farm horse has a reputation for spirit, certainly 



