CROPS AND PROFITS. 163 



profitably, by serving as an advertisement to some 

 venturesome landlord, from whose table the reeking 

 fat goes to the soap-pot. 



Grossness does not absorb excellence, or even 

 imply it either in the animal or vegetable world. I 

 have never yet chanced to taste the monstrosities 

 which the generous Californians sometimes send us 

 in the shape of pears ; but without knowing, I would 

 venture the wager of a bushel of Bartletts, that one 

 of our own, little, jolly, red-cheeked Seckels would 

 outmatch them thoroughly in flavor, in piquancy, 

 and in vinous richness. 



Shall the flaunting Dahlia match us a Rose ? Yet 

 the dahlia has its place too ; it gives scenic effect ; 

 its tall stiffness tells in the distance ; but we have a 

 thousand roses at every hand. 



I sometimes fear that this disposition to set the 

 mere grossness of a thing above its finer qualities, is 

 an American weakness. We do not forget, so often 

 as we might to advantage that we are a great 

 people. That eagle which our Fourth of July 

 orators paint for our delighted optics, dipping his 

 wings in both oceans, is the merest buzzard of a 

 bird, except he have more virtue in him than mere 

 size. 



