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independent management and personal culture of a part 

 of his father's farm. I mention these things, not because 

 it is to be expected, or desired, that the young men here 

 present should pursue exactly this course, but to shew 

 them the noble aim of one who was only a few steps 

 before them in the journey of life, and while he thought 

 of the same occupation with theirs, and to stimulate 

 them by his example though they may not have the 

 same advantages to make the best use of such as they 

 have. The result in his case, you know. His acquisitions 

 in this country encouraged him to seek higher and rarer 

 acquisitions abroad ; and in consequence of these, in his 

 twenty-fifth year, he led the way in this country in one of 

 the most interesting and useful applications of science to 

 practical purposes which the age affords. Providence may 

 not have the same honor in store for you all, but its gifts are 

 not exhausted. Worthy objects are not few, not far off. 

 Seek, and you shall find. It was not by a single, happy 

 choice alone that he whose example now calls you to 

 this, was what he became. The useful and the good 

 determined his general aims. I may mention, as an 

 instance, that when he began to be extensively known, 

 and tempting offers were made him to a more lucrative 

 application of his talents and acquirements than he had 

 proposed, he adhered to his original purpose, as being 

 the more improving and useful. So, also, when he was 



