1S40.] SENATE— No 36. 169 



manual exertions, his own and the wants of his family. To a 

 clergyman, then, in the retirement of the country, living upon 

 the uncertain, scanty, and too often begrudged support, which 

 is allowed him, what a vakiable resource may the cultivation 

 and care of this invaluable insect afford. — By the labor of 

 a few Aveeks in a year, and then only a part of the day, he 

 may, with the aid of an industrious family, procure by his hon- 

 est exertions, a sum perhaps equal to that which his people 

 feel able to afford; and thus obtain for himself, the means of 

 many an innocent indulgence ; perhaps too, of educating his 

 children, and of providing for a dependant family, a comforta- 

 ble subsistence in the event of his removal or death. I hope, 

 my brethren of the clergy, will not consider these suggestions 

 as in any measure disrespectful. They are dictated by a feel- 

 ing, totally opposite to this. I should be the last to recom- 

 mend to them the silk culture or any other business, as matter 

 of mere pecuniary gain, but only on the ground of a just re- 

 gard for their own comfort and that of their families. A lit- 

 tle knowledge of human nature, will convince them that their 

 people will be always the more ready to help them, as they find 

 them able and ready to help themselves. The clergy, from 

 the earliest times, have been the pioneers in agricultural im- 

 provements in our country ; and among a rural population, I 

 know not how, in a secular view, a minister can render a higher 

 service to his people, or make a stronger claim upon their res- 

 pect and gratitude, than by promoting among them the study 

 of the natural sciences, the exercise of the mechanic arts, and 

 giving them an example of sound domestic economy, and fru- 

 gal, intelligent, skilful, and improved husbandry. There are 

 too many such laudable examples within my own knowledge, 

 to allow me to doubt that this may be done without in any 

 measure interfering with his own intellectual improvement and 

 the most conscientious, faithful, and useful discharge of his sa- 

 cred duties.* 



2. For Pauper Establishments. — I cannot doubt, likewise, 

 that the culture of silk may be introduced with advantage into 



* Appendix V. 

 22 



