114 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Never, before, in our country, have we so deeply felt our de- 

 pendence upon agriculture. We were, indeed, in a hazardous 

 condition. Though the early season gave goodly token, yet the 

 drought dried up the roots and the sun wilted the blade. We 

 had nothing to send abroad, to meet the foreign demand upon us, 

 but cold, hard cash. The circumstances in which Europe found 

 herself, the withdrawal of her industry from productive depai't- 

 ments, the conversion of the pruning-hook into the sword, the 

 necessity of supplying the contending hosts on the shores of the 

 Euxine rendered the demands upon us yet more frequent and 

 imperious ; and the great magnet she applied towards our pre- 

 cious metals drew them all away. Still were we indebted to 

 her, and still her cry was gold. The busy diggers in the shining 

 sands of California, could not meet the deficiency. Fast as 

 steamers brought it to us, faster yet faster, steamers took it away. 

 A commercial crisis was upon us. Our banks were nervous. 

 Our merchants, some of them gave way, and others looked with 

 di-ead into the future. All was doubt and fear. It was evident 

 that another year of leanness would sweep away all our commer- 

 cial accommodations and break the country. Disaster and bank- 

 ruptcy thrust their haggard visages in at the door. Eut what 

 news was that which gave us sudden hope and joy, and dispelled 

 the fearful apprehension? It was, that the earth gave promise of 

 abundant increase. Every tongue became suddenly inspired to 

 talk of crops. Every newspaper rejoiced to send forth its hopeful 

 intelligence. Men, who had vainly supposed that their own oc- 

 cupations were the most important of all, began to feel, how in- 

 significant they were, if the farmer should fold Ms hands, or the 

 sun and sky withhold their blessing. Even commerce, who had 

 flapped her idle wings, and cried for bread, partook the general 

 joy. The promise was not illusory. Ne'er looked the sun on 

 broader fields of waving grain. Ne'er fell more laden swarths 

 before the scythe, the sickle and the reaper. Never stood up 

 sturdier sheaves as sentinels of prosperity, and never did the 

 searching hoe find thicker treasures waiting the light. All over 

 the land are granaries bursting with fullness; and every avenue 

 is crowded with the offerings of the earth, seeking the markets 

 by the sea. Placed beyond fear or doubt, by this profusion of 

 the soil, business resumes its wonted channels, the hammer again 

 rings on the anvil, the adze is active in the ship-yard, the builder 

 rears his free-stone palaces, the marts of the merchant are filled 

 with purchasers, and activity reigns in every department of life. 



