MR. Oliver's address. 39 



formation. Some of the maxims of the Roman farmers are 

 almost identical w.th those recently, if not still in use among 

 the best modern English farmers. It could not be uninterest- 

 ing to the studious farmer, nor " altogether useless," as Dick- 

 son rightly observes in his elaborate work on " The Husband- 

 ry of the Ancients," to communicate to him a kriowledge of 

 the practices of ancient nations, famous for their wisdom, and 

 whose greatest men applied themselves to the study and prac- 

 tice of Agriculture." 



I have said thus little in reference to the husbandry of an- 

 tiquity, that I may not be misinterpreted in being said to have 

 spoken lightly of it. It is not that I esteem or love ancient 

 husbandry, its old modes and old tools and devices, less, — but 

 that being nearer and more interested in things of my own 

 day, and desirous of their good, I love modern husbandry 

 more, and greatly desire its further improvement. In secur- 

 ing that improvement, you will take all the good you can find 

 in the store-houses of former days, and add all the good you 

 can get, from the studies, the researches, the suggestions and 

 the implements of modern times. 



Be, then, more liberal and enlarged in your views ; more 

 ready to examine into what is going on in your line of life 

 in other localities ; more earnest to test alledged improve- 

 ments ; more willing to examine, than to sneer at them, 

 when proposed for your consideration ; more willing to let 

 your natural good sense, by its own unimpeded action, deliv- 

 er you from the shackles of old prejudices and old obstinacy 

 against progress, and you shall find light shining upon your 

 way with a brilliancy before unknown to you, and guiding 

 you to the attainment of results that your best imaginings 

 had never conceived. Every thing about you will be bet- 

 tered. That tasteless, ungraceful and awkward ''palace of 

 pine boards, grown venerably black with time, — but so 

 rickety, flimsy, that every blast of wind gives it a fit of the 

 ague,"* — and shall give way to a structure, which, with its sym- 

 metrical proportions, its thorough workmanship, and its beau- 

 tiful home-expression and harmony with the rural objects 



* Washington Irving. 



