310 On architectural, rural, domestic, and other Improvements. 



The other he followed from one thriftless and quarrelsome parish to 

 another, till he reached the poorest and most desolate section of 

 New England. He afterwards visited the first at his residence in 

 Hartford, and the other in a wretched tenement, surrounded by rag- 

 ged children, in a parish which could boast only of such a minister, 

 with no meeting-house, no school, and scarce a single entire glass 

 window. 



But there are other and far more important consequences to be 

 looked for, than those which relate merely to temporal comfort and 

 prosperity ; consequences which involve the intellectual and immor- 

 tal interests of men. And in that improved and cultivated state of 

 society which the scriptures teach us to expect, when the present 

 causes and occasions of degradation and sorrow will be resisted and 

 overcome, when the evils we endure will be obviated by the Divine 

 blessing on a wise and proper exertion of our faculties, this reforma- 

 tion will be universal and complete. 



There" is then every encouragement of growing and ultimate success 

 to cheer those whose part it is to promote this object. And there 

 surely are not wanting those in every place, who by their education 

 and circumstances are qualified to take a part in it, and who by a 

 common effort may soon do much for its advancement. 



Let such fancy to themselves a town or village in a location free 

 from all material objections, and possessing every essential advantage, 

 and laid out and built in such a manner as to secure all the objects, 

 public and private, which are desirable ; let it be supposed that the 

 benefits of such an arrangement are appreciated by the inhabitants, 

 and that they agree in their tastes and opinions on this subject ; and 

 can there be any more doubt of the good effect of such a state of 

 things on all the interests, character and welfare of the families con- 

 cerned, than of the actual difference between the worst and best 

 sites, buildings and occupants, in towns as they now exist? 



Let them also consider what evils might be easily obviated, and what 

 benefits secured, in their own immediate neighborhoods, by the im- 

 provements which attention to this subject would suggest ; and to 

 what more useful or creditable purpose their talents, knowledge, and 

 leisure can be applied. 



The subject may fitly be commended to the attention of Lyceums, 

 and other existing institutions in different parts of the country, with 

 particular reference to their respective localities. 



With great regard, I remain your obt. st. 

 Eleazar Lord. 



