ADDRESS. 21 



stitutions, and plunge in infamy so many bright intellects. 

 Besides, the farmer, in a great measure, escapes the contami- 

 nations that spread, as if contagious, among a crowded popu- 

 lation. In comparative retirement, fully occupied with healthy 

 and innocent, or rather, useful occupations, and out of the 

 way of unhealthy excitements, he can pursue an even course 

 of life which a philosopher might envy, and which is most fa- 

 vorable to all the manly virtues. 



No less decidedly can we speak of the reflex influence of 

 sound morality upon agriculture. Indeed, most of the moral 

 virtues are indespensable to the success of the farmer. Let 

 him, for instance, become indolent, a tavern haunter, a bar- 

 room politician, a news monger, a speculator, and especially 

 an intemperate man, and the efiect upon his farm will be as 

 fatal as if burnt over every three months. On the other hand, 

 inquire of our merchants and artisans what has been the eff'ect 

 of the modern reformation in temperance upon the farmers of 

 our land, and they will tell you that the result has been won- 

 derful in multiplying among them the comforts and luxuries of 

 life. Their enlarged and improved barns, their more tasteful 

 and elegant houses, their carpeted rooms, their elegant mirrors 

 and sofas, and stoves, their enlarged libraries, and many other 

 luxuries and elegancies, found now in three times as many fam- 

 ilies as twenty years ago, testify to the mighty influence of the 

 cardinal virtue of temperance upon our agricultural population ; 

 though, in fact, the influence has been no less decided upon all 

 other classes ; except, perhaps, some of the wealtliy and fash- 

 ionable, who still cling to the wine cup : but whose wealth, 

 unless they do speedily dash that cup from their lips, will as- 

 suredly pass from them to the hands of those, into whose path 

 cold water is washing golden sands. 



But the crowning excellence of all pursuits and all classes 

 remains to be noticed. I mean pure and undefiled religion. 

 And really, if agriculture is favorable to its reception and de- 

 velopment, this is the greatest recommendation of that pursuit. 

 Now what religion reasonably asks, is, that its claims should 

 be examined by a mind in a liealthy state, free from prejudice> 



