SCO [Assembly 



friends, on his return at dewy eve ; and in the cool twilight, satisfac- 

 tion of reading news from all quarters of the globe, and gathering 

 from books useful knowledge, as well as sound morals, and in express- 

 ing thankfulness to Providence, under his own roof, his castle in our 

 free country, for his fortungite lot of liberty and independence, over 

 the slaves of despotism in less favoured lands. 



"O fortunatus nimium, sua si bona norint agricokiS,*' 

 The mechanic and manufacturer, by cultivating a taste for like ha- 

 bits and reflections, must be able to participate more and more in 

 some of these enjoyments ; and will find all the nobility of their na- 

 ture more excited and gratified as becomes men, by taking an active 

 part in the agreeable business of self-government, in attending the 

 polls, and the debates of the stormy forum, and in helping as jurors, 

 to administer " the stern decrees of law," The children of com- 

 merce, likewise, though not without anxieties, find many beauties and 

 and pleasures strewed over their paths, as the sailor, however rough 

 or hardy, gazes at times on the sublimity of the deep blue ocean with 

 rapture, and, after the vicissitudes of calm and storm, hails a glimpse 

 of land with an exultation, which makes him forgetful of all past 

 danger. And the merchant, for whom he freights riches from every 

 clime, amidst some fluctuations in fortune, often enjoys a prosperity 

 which opens new avenues to happiness, in making munificent Tiona- 

 tions to public charities, in adding to his country public buildings of 

 architectural splendour, and in becommg inspired, like the Lorenzo 

 De Me<lici, to fill the marble palaces where is treasured his household 

 goods, with furniture still more chaste and classical, with books more 

 practical, and with richer paintings and statuary, even American Sta- 

 tuary, which may rival that of Phidias or Praxitiles. , 



By cultivating pleasures like these, and a love for all which is or 

 can be made beautiful in these pursuits, no doubt exists that the as- 

 pirations or excellence in them will become constantly stronger. 



A single other suggestion, which belongs to the encouragement and 



protection of all these kindred pursuits, and I have done. It is to 



treat them all with increasing respect. 



" L«t aot ambition mock their useful toil — 

 Th»ir homely Joya and destiny obxmre.** 



