ID MR. braman's address. 



whole cultivation of the soil was performed by the hands of 

 bondmen. Their number continued to increase, till, in the 

 times of the Roman Emperors, the free citizens formed but a 

 fourth part of the population. At one period, the whole of 

 the peninsula, comprising an extent of one hundred and eight- 

 een thousand square miles, was divided among 1760 proprie- 

 tors, who employed slaves to cultivate their iiimense estates, 

 while they, abandoning the oversight of the grounds, retreated 

 within the walls of the capital, to riot in the luxuries of their 

 vast accumulation. The consequence which followed, was, 

 that the whole agriculture of the country suffered great de- 

 cline. Some portions of its most luxuriant soil became wastes. 

 The productionis fell to more than half their former quantity. 

 And the land so distinguished by fertility, and its beautiful 

 summer sky, and which once supplied distant regions with its 

 abundance, was obliged to draw its resources from the banks 

 of the Nile. 



The ancient Greeks entertained some very correct opinions 

 respecting agriculture, and we have in the writings of distin- 

 guished authors, who employed their pens on the subject, some 

 of the most judicious and well tested maxims for the practice 

 of the art. For mental ability, and genius in its most diver- 

 sified forms, their renown is diffused through the earth, and 

 will be perpetuated to the latest time. But they regarded the 

 culture of the earth as a menial employment, they thought it 

 too degrading to engage the pursuits of free citizens, and worthy 

 alone of slaves ; and slaves performed accordingly, almost the 

 whole labor of tillage. Hence we see one reason for the im- 

 mense difference between the progress of agriculture, and that 

 of some other arts in which they have displayed most con- 

 summate skill. They rendered themselves so distinguished 

 for sculpture and architecture, that it is thought presumptuous to 

 attempt to surpass them, and it is considered proof enough of 

 the most exalted genius, and fame quite sufficient for any one, 

 to approach their illustrious models. The Parthenon, and 

 forms of Grecian statuary have been the wonder and study 

 of all succeeding ages. The felicity of their design, the sym- 

 metry of their proportions, the exquisite finish and beauty with 



