16 



GROWING GOLD. 



justice ? A properly managed plantation of 

 a few thousand acres of oak trees would be 

 some equivalent to the future inhabitants of 

 these islands, for the charge of maintaining 

 the metropolitan adornments. The splen- 

 dour of public buildings is of trifling conse- 

 quence to a nation— a gorgeously built Admi- 

 ralty will do but little to preserve our naval 

 character. A good ship, well found in stores, 

 is essential to its existence ; while sailors can 

 say, hearts of oak are our ships," they will 

 sing, ''hearts of oak are our men." It is a 

 duty of no ordinary importance to provide a 

 supply of the best materials for the erection 

 and repairs of those buildings and things which 

 are absolutely necessary, nay indispensible to 

 the preservation of the commerce of a nation. 

 The benefits conferred upon posterity, are im- 

 perishable monuments of the greatness of the 

 donors. The age that relies upon buildings 

 to perpetuate its fame, is short sighted indeed ! 

 Truly did the poet exclaim — 



*' Ambition sighed, she found it vain to trust 

 The faithless column and the crumbling bust." 



