44 



old tools to lay aside, and old rules and regulations to 

 abolish. Above all, as proprietors, you work every man 

 for himself and for the profit of his family. Not only are 

 feudal superiorities, servitudes, serfdom and tithes, un- 

 known among you, but even rents are not, as with us, to 

 be made up on two dark days of every year. What ought 

 to stand in the way then of your rapid progress in this 

 most important art ? 



Another great advantage possessed by the agriculturists 

 of this country, you will both understand and estimate. As 

 a nation you commence your agricultural career at the point 

 which we have attained. The eminence which we have 

 reached after long climbing, you start from. You have the 

 benefit of all our knowledge and experience, and — unwearied 

 with previous labor, or satisfied with the idea, as too many 

 of our farmers are, that you have already done very much — 

 you must progress beyond what we have at present at- 

 tained to. And with the intellect and energy you inherit, 

 you must and will progress. It cannot fail indeed to prove a 

 great blessing to mankind at large, that so many new minds, 

 unfettered by old restraints of prejudice or partial legislation, 

 or conventional custom, are now directed in this country 

 towards the varied arts of social life. Especially must in- 

 tellectual exertion on your part, in reference to any of the 

 arts of life, benefit us in Great Britain — whom a common 

 parentage, individual ties of blood, and a unity of speech, 

 connect, and whom now the broad Atlantic, more than 

 bridged over, almost brings together again into a common 

 home. What you think, reacts upon our thoughts ; what 

 you speak, insensibly affects our speech ; and your literature 

 and ours, are read and have their influence in both coun- 

 tries. What each discovers sooner becomes property of the 

 other, than in the case of nations who speak different 

 tongues ; and a step in advance on either side of the 



