ABOUT FRUITS, FLOWERS AND FARMING. 141 



they do not care ? Some one ought to see that there are 

 good gravel walks in each village. You can have them in 

 this way : Take your horse and cart and make them before 

 your own grounds, and then go on no matter who owns, 

 and when your neighbors see that you have public spirit, 

 they will, by and by, be ready to help you. But the grand 

 way to do nothing, is, not to lift a finger yourself, and then 

 to rail at your fellow-citizens as selfish and devoid of all 

 public spirit. 



PROTECT PUBLIC PROPERTY. What if it does concern 

 everybody else as much as it does you ? Some one ought 

 to see that the fences about every square are kept in repair. 

 Some one ought to save the trees from cattle ; some one 

 ought to have things in such trim as that the inhabitants 

 can be proud of their own town. Pride is not decent when 

 there is nothing to be proud of; but when things are worthy 

 of it, no man can be decent who is devoid of a proper 

 pride. The church, the schoolhouse, fences, trees, bridges, 

 roads, public squares, sidewalks, these are things which tell 

 tales about people. A stranger, seeking a location, can 

 hardly think well of a place, in which the distinction 

 between the house and stye are not obvious ; in which every 

 one is lazy when greediness does not excite him, and where 

 general indolence leaves no time to think of the public 

 good. 



When politicians are on the point of dissolving in the 

 very fervent heat of their love for the public, it would 

 recall the fainting soul quicker than hartshorn or vinegar to 

 ask them Did you ever set out a shade-tree hi the street ? 

 Did you ever take an hour's pains about your own village ? 

 Have you secured it a lyceum ? Have you watched over its 

 schools.? Have you aided in any arrangements for the 

 relief of the poor? Have you shown any practical zeal for 

 good roads, good bridges, good sidewalks, good school- 

 houses, good churches ? Have the young men in your place 

 a public library ? 



