MR. PROCTOR S ADDRESS. 7 



iiigs, and in our journeys to visit the farms of the 

 County, as among the most valuable lessons ever taught 

 to the farmers of Essex. 1 know of no man in Massa- 

 chusetts, unless I may except Mr. Lowell, of Roxbury, 

 who did more to elevate the character of the farmer, 

 and instruct him in his vocation. Fortunate were our 

 farmers, in having devoted teachers, like these, with 

 souls above all sinister purposes, and a readiness to 

 communicate that knew no bounds. At an age when 

 most men think their labors should be ended, he 

 was in his prime in handling the plough, and instituting 

 new experiments. He was not ashamed to soil his 

 hands or his clothes with the labors of the field. He 

 felt it no disgrace to work with those who work. In 

 whatever he engaged, he always took the part of the 

 working man. On the farm he was on a level with the 

 farmer, — in the Senate there was none his superior. 



Many who hear me, cannot but remember the sim- 

 plicity, energy and propriety, with which he spoke on 

 every subject that was introduced ; and no one who 

 listened to him with attention could fail to have been 

 instructed by his remarks. He did not speak to display 

 his own acquirements, but to instruct his hearers. And 

 while all others were admiring his superior wisdom, he 

 himself was the only one not conscious of it. Like 

 Franklin he always had some story to the point, some 

 illustration so apposite, that it would make an impres- 

 sion that would be remembered. To these lessons, 

 thus artlessly and informally given, among the think- 

 ing, practical men in all parts of the County, do I 

 attribute the germs of improvement, that have since 

 been developed. 



In taking a general view of the present state of culti- 

 vation within the County, it must be admitted, that 

 much, very much remains to be done. That there Is 

 no one town, and scarcely any one farm, that has been 

 made to yield more than half it is capable of yielding. 

 But it cannot be denied, I think, that important improve- 

 ments have been introduced within a few years ; — that 

 much more enlightened views of culture are becoming 



