AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 45 



and the pines were interweaved in the same manner as you see 

 them in the adjoining woods. Here the owl told her nightly 

 tale, here the deer sported along the sides of yonder trout stream. 

 Gentlemen, if you will permit me a little egotism, allow me to say, 

 that a Caledonian came along here, armed to the teeth, with the 

 implements, not of war, but of civilization, the plow, the spade, 

 the axe, and tlie pruning knife, and by steady perseverance, and 

 with application of fertilizers, I may safely say, that the redemp- 

 tion of these broad acres is complete. I wish it to be distinctly 

 understood, that it is to the Caledonian (to whom I have referred), 

 a stalwart, industrious and energetic man, who has won many 

 prizes at various plowing matches in this country, and who has 

 touched with his own hands every stump and root which has 

 been taken off this land, that we owe the present condition of it. 

 I have furnished the means it is true, but it is to his industry, 

 perseverance and faithfulness, that the credit is really due. I 

 have no speculation in view. Gentlemen, it is not only the profit 

 and advantages of a farm whim, that have given me energy and 

 spirit, it is because I look upon a farmer's life, as one associated 

 with the finest and deepest emotions of the human mind. In the 

 month of August, after one very warm night, I awoke early in 

 the morning and went out doors to receive the fresh air. The 

 sun had just arisen above the surrounding pine trees; my chickens 

 came tripping along one by one, and bounding to meet the open- 

 ing day; the birds came hopping from bush to bush, their voices 

 although humble were given by the deity. Gentlemen, here 

 was a shrine to which a Christian and a philosopher might come 

 to worshij). No polemical squabbles can touch this subject. I 

 looked on the scene around me, and the whole aft* seemed to be 

 embalmed in the divinity. 



Well, gentlemen, a man knocked about in the vicissitudes of 

 business, when he comes down to a place like this, why, it is a 

 redeeming point in his green old age, that he does enjoy the 

 farmer's life. Such, gentlemen, are my views. I have no selfish 

 plans before me. My sole object is to sit down here and enjoy 

 this peaceful retreat in these latter days of my life. 



The first thing I thought of in this farming was, that it should 

 be rendered capable of supporting the laborers uj^on it. This 

 farm now does that. Now, gentlemen, allow me to offer the 

 health of Mr. Embury, of Brooklyn. 



Mr. Embury remarked, that he had too long noticed and re- 

 gretted the negligence as to Long Island, and his great plea- 



