24 MR. stone'saddress. 



grance with the zephyr's breath — the forest's green perspective, 

 and the soothing murmurs of the brook, — all, are to him wit- 

 nesses of a Maker's love, and teachers of Man's dnty to his 

 race. And all he sees of wisdom and goodness in the works of 

 God, inspires his heart with trust, confidence, and " loving 

 gratitude." If any man has reason to rejoice in his condition, 

 it is an American Farmer. Eating in quietness the bread of 

 industry, he knows nothing of the anxiety, envy and unprinci- 

 pled ambition, that rankle in the breasts of " trading politi- 

 cians," and he looks upon their struggles for " place and 

 spoils " with unutterable disgust. " Lord of the soil" he culti- 

 vates, an independence unknown to other pursuits, stamps him 



" Nature's own Nobleman, friendly and frank, 

 A man with his heart in his hand." 



Leaving this theme, I pass to consider a want of our times. 

 This is an attractive agricultural reading for the young. Man 

 is to no small extent, the creature of early impressions; and 

 the reading of childhood often gives complexion to the charac- 

 ter, and directs the aims, of manhood. Many a lad, not remark- 

 able for the preponderance of a particular propensity, has been 

 led to the choice of after pursuits, by the books he has perused. 

 The life of "Jack Sheppard" has made many a villain — of 

 Howard, many a philanthropist. One reads the life of Frank- 

 lin, and aspires to the honors of a Philosopher, or to lead pub- 

 lic sentiment through the press. Another peruses the life of 

 Washington, and makes him the model of his public career. 

 Art, Science, Law, Medicine and Theology, are indebted to the 

 reading of childhood for many of their brightest ornaments. 



Now what I wish, is, to make this exercise auxiliary to 

 Agriculture — through it, to awaken and deepen a love of the 

 beautiful in the works of creation — and by it, to wed many an 

 ambitious spirit to the cultivation of the soil. I wish to sec the 

 subject of Agriculture hold a place in our school books, as 

 prominent, at least, as that of War. If the spirit of the latter 

 IS to be fostered where young ideas bud, and often fruit, by the 

 charms of poetry, it cahnot be asking too much that the praises 

 of peaceful Agriculture be said in sober prose. The relation 

 which the latter holds to the former, in some of our school 



