MR. gray's address. 27 



course, unalloyed by care or apprehensions of the future. 

 Ambition, and envy, and discontent, find no sympathy 

 there — the waves of anxious busy life, in crowded cities, 

 break not in upon his security. He lays himself down to 

 rest, contented and happy ; no distressing dreams disturb 

 his slumbers ; no visions of falling stocks and broken 

 banks, or disappointed hopes, prey upon his nerves, and 

 lead him to wish for the morning, but it is as true now 

 as it was in the days of the Wise Man, " the sleep of the 

 labouring man is sweet." His h'iends are few, and hence 

 he takes a deeper interest in the affairs of his neighbors 

 All meet on common ground ; artificial distinctions, 

 which give rise to so much alienation and selfishness 

 where different grades are mingled together, are un 

 known. Hence, there arises, that natural interchange 

 of kind offices and good wishes w^hich contribute power- 

 fully to strengthen the social relations, and to develope 

 the humane and benevolent affections. 



Finally, the condition and employment of the farmer 

 are most favorable for cultivating the moral sentiments 

 and religious affections. He is removed in a great mea- 

 sure from the temptations which are incident to other 

 branches of industry ; away from crowded streets, and 

 artificial excitements, there is the best opportunity for 

 sober reflection. The motives for dishonesty, for fraud 

 and deception, are much less powerful, and fewer occa- 

 sions present themselves for vicious indulgences. The 

 hope oi sudden affluence, which stimulates the merchant, 

 the manufacturer, and the speculator, and which excites 

 the selfish, ambitious propensities, has little power to 

 weaken the moral sentiments of the farmer. There is, 

 moreover, in labor itself, a tendency to guard the mind 

 from the assaults of vice. An indolent people are al- 

 ways a vicious and an irreligious people. 



" All is the gift of industry, whate'er 



Exalts, embellishes, and renders life 



Delightful. Pensive winter, cheered by him, 



Sits at the social fire, and happy, hears 



The excluded tempest idly rave along. 



His hardened fingers deck the gaudy sprino-, 



Without him Summer were an arid v/aste, 



Nor to the Autumnal months could thus transmit 



