MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: AN AGRICULTURAL AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
initial. 
For the Rural New-Yorker. 
THOUGHTS OF A HALF HOUR. 
I’m sitting on a mossy hank 
Beneath an olden tree, 
Soft blossoms laden all with dew 
Yield their sweet breath to me. 
’Tis in a calm and lovely vale. 
With forests circled round, 
And dear as life the scene to me. 
For all is hallowed ground. 
I'm thinking of the happy hours 
When here so oft I strayed, 
By yonder gently winding stream 
And through the forest glade. 
When all" my world was centered here, 
And joy forever smiled, 
And life was all a summer’s dream, 
For I was then a •child. 
I’m thinking of the parting hour, 
The soul-felt, sad adieu, 
When all I loved on this cold earth 
Receded from my view. 
When from yon distant mountain top 
A lingering glance I cast. 
Sad was my heart, for oh 1 I felt 
My summer's dream was past. 
I'm thinking of the stranger’s home, 
Where all was chill and cold, 
Where all the yearnings of my heart 
Were by my will controlled ; 
Of all the tears in secret shed, 
Liib dewdrops of the night, 
Which in the darkness glittering lie, 
But vanish with the light. 
I'm thinking now that I*m alone 
And loneliness is sad, 
Though all around me and above 
The world is bright and glad. 
I’m thinking that my cliildhood’s home 
No more can joy impart, 
The happy child of former days 
Now bears a saddened heart. 
Jenny. 
trade. As I had already determined to bo but a farmer.” ’Whenever I visited my na- party to visit Scotland 
<• anything but a farmer,” I expressed a tive town I expressed jpity for my old com- and made a land tour 
willingness to learn a trade; and preferred panious who were plodding along the old Sailing from thonce, 
that of printing, on account of its literarv but suro road to wealth. Among my former and made a tour of tl 
tendency. To this my father assented, and schoolmates wero many bright-eyed girls, length, being satisfied 
I was soon an indented apprentice, to be who grew up to be intelligent, accomplished world,” to some extent 
initiated into the mysteries of that “art young ladies. With these I loved to frolic America, and arrived, 
preservative of all arts.” At the age of my when at home; but the idea of matrimony, in Now York, 
majority, therefore, I was not only possessor nonsense ! I boasted of the “ freedom ” Such is a brief out 
of a collegiato education, but also master of which a bachelor enjoys, and prophesied a now for the applicatio 
a good trade. dull, dreary life to those who had “ tied. as much of the ivorld 
Most students immediately after gradua- themselves down ” by the silken bonds of plowboy. But hold ! 
ting from college, enter upon the study of wedlock. to balance my accoun 
a profession. This was at first my purpose, Receiving a small patrimony, on one of fore you decido upon 
and I accordingly entered my name as a these visits, I repaired to New York, and Follow me while I c 
law student. About this time, however, the invested it in a publishing establishment.— with that of some of m 
country became agitated with the political I was eminently successful, and in less than let me compare what 
contest of ’44, and being possessed of some three years became comparatively rich.— I might have had. 
oratorical talent, I entered the arena of pol- Now, thought I, is the time to put in execu- In the first place, I 
i itics as a stump speaker. The election tion my long-talked-of project of “ seeing or lost health. It is true I have frequently 
having passed, I felt loth to return to the the world.” With this idea I sold out my been placed on beds of sickness, and en 
study of law, being desirous of something business, changed my property into British dured much misery an 
more exciting than the perusal of tlio musty gold, and set sail for the old world. Before home and in foreign 1 
volumes of Coke and Blackstono. While this I had read of a “life on the ocean tution is still unimpa 
in college I had become intimate with some wave,”—of storms, of sea-sickness, of the pect I am about on 
half dozen young men, who evinced a par- monsters of the mighty deep, of waves roll- former companions, 
ticular fondness for adventure. How often ing mountain high, of tho various phenom- What I have gainec 
party to visit Scotland, sailed for Edinburg, not bo roquired to discloso her real name, 
and made a land tour through to Glasgow, until the correspondence shall have pro- 
Sailing from thonce, I arrived in Dublin, grossed sufficiently for tho two parties to 
and made a tour of the Emerald Isle. At j agree upen some place of mutual introduc- 
length, being satisfied that I had “ seen the tion. T. K. H. 
world,” to some extent, at least, I set sail for — ■ - -- — - ■ - 3 
rNow\o"k. anive<, ’ a fcw months si,1C0, lablw lifiartmrat. 
Such is a brief outlino of my history— . -.. 
now for tho application.. “J wish I had seen For the Rural New-Yorker. 
as much of the world!” says some honest THE PERFECTION OF NATURE. 
plowboy. But hold ! young man ; help me q nature j how beautiful arc thy works, 
to balance my account of loss and gain, be- Tho artiet gtrives in vain to give to the can- 
fore you decido upon “seeing tho world ! , afowin? tint, of the landscane he- 
For the Rural New-Yorker. 
THE PERFECTION OF NATURE. 
piowooy. uut no iu . young man, neip u 0 nature ! how beautiful arc thy works, 
to balance my account of loss and gain, be- Thc artiflt strives in vain to give to the can- 
fore you decido upon “seeing the world!’ yag th(J glowing tint of the ]andscapo bo _ 
Follow me while I compare my condition fore him The sunbeams which faU upon 
with that of some of my former companions; th0 ificcnt tree9 , he wou l d willingly 
let me compare what I have now, with what trangfer to tho miniature ones which stand 
I might have had. _ j n ^e background of his picture. But it 
In the first place, I have neither gamed ^ the han(J of tho Almighty to give the 
or lost health. It is true I have frequently ricl lden M ht . The architect puts in re- 
been placed on beds of sickness, and en- ^ ^ hig mechanical power t0 rear a 
Written for the Rural New-Yorker. 
“ANYTHING BUT A FARMER;” 
Or, the Adventures of a Youth who Wanted to 
“See the World.” 
AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
Where all the yearnings of my heart ticular fondness for adventure. How often ing mountain high, of tho various phenom- 
Were by my will controlled; have we met at each other’s rooms and re- ena which the vast sea presents to the hu- 
Of nil the tears m secret shed, lated in turn, tales of the “deep, deep, blue man vision—but now I felt, saw and real- 
Which in the darkness glittering Ue, sea,” generally intermingled with thrilling lzed all. To be suro I experienced that 
But vanish with the light. incidents of war and bloodshed ! Little most indescribable of all human nausea— 
rm thinking now that rm alone did I then dream that those meetings would sea-sickness; yet, knowing that this must 
And loneliness is sad, make so deep an impression upon tho fu- bo endured, I even gloried in the misery it 
Though all around rne and above turo conduct of thoso present. Of those afforded. 
The world is bright and glad. 1 . ,, , , . _ . , . T . T . . 
rrn thinking that my childhood’s home seven, but two now remain. One, the son At length I arrived m London. I had 
No more can joy impart, 0 f a celebrated American statesman, was read of the “Great Metropolis of the 
The happy child of former days soon after charged with mutiny, and hung World,” from my earliest childhood. I had 
Jenny. at the yard arm of the comers. A second read of the joy first experienced at the cry 
, - . -- : ' j-. .. —- - —-- - • fell while gallantly scaling the enemies walls of “land!” I had read of Dover Castle, 
fc* l Tllnrnf nn 1 v at Monterey. A third was killed at tho the chalky cliffs, tho English coast, the en- 
vbyE /tVUrill ^ fully jlOUUlX. battle of Buena Vista. A fourth was drown- trance to tho Thames, of the curiosities of 
—- - ed while crossing a river in Oregon. A fifth the great city; of St. Paul’s, Westminster, 
Written for the Rural New-Yorker. was s b 0 t with Col. Crittenden’s company in tho tombs of Shakespeare, Pope, Milton, 
“ ANYTHING BUT A FARMER;'’ the attempt to revolutionize Cuba. A sixth, j Dryden, &c., of the Thames Tunnel, the 
Or, the Adventures of a Youth who Wanted to the son of a great American novelist, is now j Tower, the British Museum, Bedlam Mad- 
“See the World.” a distinguished practitioner of law, and I house, Billingsgate, the Bridges, the Houses 
-- believe, resides in the city of Albany. The 0 f Parliament, and a hundred other celeb- 
AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. ’ . . ... . , , ’ , „ , . , 
_ seventh and last, is now preparing this nties, the bare mention of which would 
I no not propose to write a work of fic- sketch for Moore’s Rural New-Yorker, SW olI this narrative beyonds all reasonable 
tion ; of such tho world is full enough al- an d if the readers of that journal will par- bounds. Now I saw and realized them all. 
ready. My narrative is ono of facts, and it don this digression, he will return to his Indeed, I remained in London, until I was 
the readers of tho Rural New-Yorker do narrative. as familiar with all the gi-eat thoroughfares, 
not find in it adventures quite as marvel- Having determined upon traveling, I t b 0 bridges, the parks, tho monuments, the 
ous as those of Sinbad the Sailor, or Baron procured an apparatus with which to amuse docks, tho squares, and other important lo- 
Munchausen, thoy may bo assured that it and instruct the people, and set out for tho calities. as I am with those of New York or 
contains much more of that rather obso- \y es t as an itinerant lecturer. I was toler- Rochester. 
lete ingredient y’clept truth. An idea seems ably successful in this pursuit, and should But was I contented ? Not at all. I had 
to bo somewhat prevalent among the com- probably have continued in it much longer, no t yet “ seen tho world.” Making myself 
munity, that if a person is able and willing had it not been for one incident. In ono ot familiar with a*good cane, valiso in hand, I 
to give his son a liberal education, that this the Western States I encountered an old so t 0 ut on a pedestrian tour through Eng- 
of itself is a sufficient reason why that son college friend, who was getting up acorn- bind. I visited cities, villages and factories; 
should obtain a livelihood through almost pany for tho Mexican War. A desire for I explored castles, cathedrals, and mines ; I 
any other means than that of cultivating military adventure suddenly seized me, and W alked over battle grounds, around towers } 
tho soil. Indeed wo frequently hear far- I determined to enlist. One evening G. aiu l through cemeteries; I talked with far¬ 
mers themselves, speak of some youth who and myself went into a small coffee-house m ers, mechanics, and peasants on their rc- 
has risen from a plowman’s fate, to the pro- 0 n business, when ho was insulted by a half spe ctive occupations; indeed, I sought infor- 
fossion of law, medicine, or divinity. If any drunken mestizo. Doubling up my fist I mation from all classes, in every way, and 
hint that I may throw out in this narrative, g e nt him reeling across the room. Soon f rom every source. I saw Queen Victoria, 
shall be received and acted upon by far- righting himself, however, ho drew a largo Prince Albert, and all the Royal family; the 
rner’s sons in general, or any farmers Spanish dirk, and aimed it at my breast. I Iron Duke, Lord John Russell, and half of 
daughter in particular, I shall consider my- turned aside, and received tho weapon on the nobility of England. I visited Chartist 
self amply ropaid for writing it. my left shoulder. An instant more, and meetings, and felt flattered when I saw it 
My father was what might bo called a my companion had put a pistol ball through announced that -.the young orator 
“forehanded” farmer. His income was his heart. Fearing that an arrest might f r0 m America, would address the assembly- 
sufficient to provide for his family, and give bo made, C. took a steamor for New Orleans, Rut was i ye t satisfied ? No ! 1 had only 
them the best education the country afford- and I never saw him more. Do remained j ust begun to “ see tho world.” I must visit 
ed. I was born a few miles from the city in that city until his company came down tbo Continent. I sailed for Calais, took tho 
of Rochester, in tho town of -; but tho river, then joined them, and fell at thc Chemin de Fcr for Paris. I arrived there a 
hold, this is a true narrative, and as tho capture of Monterey. short time after the abdication of the French 
dured much misery and suffermg away from stl . uct , vhich slll . pass „ r oqua l some- 
homo and in foreign lands; but my const.- in natura B „, when comp l e t c d ho 
tution is still unimpaired, and in this res- looks arouml M and the delicate tinted 
poet lam about on an equal.ty w.th my flower peops tVom boliea tl. tho green grass, 
former compamons. and put3 him t0 shame. The sculptor toils 
What I have gained may be comprehend- day and night to give the cold, lifeless mar- 
ed in one word—information. I have “ seen blo the appea rance of life; but he fails, and 
the world. I have seen it, it is true, in va- j g obliged to own that there is but One who 
ed in one \ 
the world. 
I have seen it, it is true, in va¬ 
rious forms, and nearly all its conditions.— j can bestow the look of vitality. 
I have seen kingdoms, empires, and repub¬ 
lics ; I have seen—but I need not enume- 
“ Nature hath a thousand tongues.” The 
numberless leaves of the forest are all dif- 
rato; you can imagine all. And this infor- f eren fr y formed. Tho variation shows how 
mation I have gained. But now look at the infinito the power that formed, and the 
cost. See what I have paid for all this, and m j nd that conceived. Tho beautiful blue 
then judge whether we may not even pay of the yiolet) the delicate hue of the rose,- 
too dear tor knowledgo. the pure white of the lily of tho valley, and 
1. I havo expended not less than six thou- t ho rich black of the dahlia, all speak of the 
sand dollars in the accomplishment of my m i g ht and goodness of the Creator. The 
purpose of “ seeing thc world.” With this co id, freezing breath of winter, tho mild, 
sum I might have purchased an excellent bracing air of spring, the sultry heat of 
farm, a snug farm house, and procured a smn mer, and the cool breeze of autumn are 
library sufficiently large to gain all the in- attestations of His wisdom and love." Tho 
formation concerning foreign countries that voa ring of the cataract, the howling of tho 
books can afford. wind, and the gentle murmur of tho quiet 
2. I have expended about ten years of s t ream as it flows so peacefully through the 
time. Although I am still in the vigor of va n ey> together with tho deep toned thun- 
youth, yet ten long years of the best portion d er, and the pelting of tho rain rornind us 
of my life has been devoted to roving from 0 f t bo power of the Almighty, n. H. B. 
country to country, for the great purpose 
of “ seeing the world.” 
3. I havo neglected to enter into ono of 
the most important social relations of lifo. 
Medina, N. Y., Sept. 13, 1852. 
RULES OF POLITENESS. 
■It is tho privilege of every per- 
But was I contented ? Not at all. I had 
Start not, gentle reader. This is no unim- g0Ilj paying another the compliment of a 
portant consideration. The girls of my visit, to expect reciprocity, “ One good turn 
youth are all—married; they are scattered deserves another is an old trito saying; 
, c , i and cerles. nothing: can be more consistent 
around among the farm houses now owned . : ’ ^ , ,, , « 
by those boys whom I onco designated as 
with our own respect and that for others, 
than to manifest a proper estimate of what 
mere “ clod-hoppers,” who had not spunk i s justly due. It is not necessary—nay, not 
enough to “ sec tho world.” even possible—to live with every one on a 
Now scan close* tho two conditions. Tho 
tarry-at-home farmers are independent and our tj m o in unprofitable visits ; but it is re- 
wealthy ; they havo good farms, excellent quired that we should return one lent us for 
wives, with sundry little “olive plants” to that purpose, though it may bo considered 
grace their firesides. Thoy ride to church th e ^ rst ami the last, without the intention 
in their own carriage on Sundays, send their a renewa • , 
.... , , , , , , Correspondence. —Many otherwise po- 
ch.ldren to school on week days, are good ^ individu al S are guilty of a violation of 
neighbors and respectable citizens; while I the co d e of politeness—i. e. of not answer- 
am only known as the educated, talented, ing letters. It is an erroneous impression 
gentlemanly bachelor, who has “seen the pretty generally labored under, that it is 
world,”—but who, though warmly welcomed n0 ^ necessary to acknowledge the receipt of 
. x , , v , j , . , . every letter. Now, it must be generally 
at the homes of a hundred others, is him- con / eded that a q Uesfci on couched in be- 
self without a farm, without a house, and corn i n g language deserves, if not requires 
Rural circulates pretty extensively in that 
region, I fear the author will be too readily 
capture of Monterey. short time after the abdication of tho French 
As for myself, tho wound inflicted gave king, and found tho excitement not yet 
me some pain, and I was obliged to keep subdued. I joined in the festivities of that 
rewgnized, if I describe the locality with my room for several days, I also had an at- gay city, as soon as I was ablo to adapt my 
above all, without a wife. an answer. The principle herein involved 
Now, Mr. Editor, having finished my ap- bears a striking analogy to that of answer- 
.. . . , . \ \ mg a letter, for generally they are either 
plication to farmers sons m general, I ask a ffo. m ative, interrogative, or narrative, and 
your permission to make an application of j u each case meriting some sign of recogni- 
another sort to some farmer’s daughter in tion. There is no excuse for silence, unless 
particular. I do not doubt that ninety-nine the subject or tho writer is beneath our no- 
out of every hundred of our farmers dough- ««»• Silo ”' e u " dor an J other circumstan- 
J ° ces may often be construed into want ot 
greater exactness. tack of tho fevor, but at length recovered, knowledge of tho French language to a 
At fifteen years of ago I had made such and returned to “ York State.” On learning correct Parisian pronunciation. I visited 
rapid progress in my studies at-Acad- that Capt. Ely, of Rochester, was forming the Palais Royale, the Palais Nationalo, tho 
omy that I was deemed fitted for College; a company to join Col. Stevenson’s Cali- Boulevards, tho Tuilleries, the Jardin des 
and I was soon after cloistered within tho forma regiment, I made his acquaintance, Plantes, the Louxemburg, the rues, tho 
walls of the institution at Geneva. My and accepted his invitation to become a quays, the bridges, tho cathedrals, the pub- 
father used to say that a farmer’s education member. I was, however, doomed to dis- lie buildings, and indeed every place of in- 
should not be one whit inferior to that of appointment; for after holding myself in terest, of which I had previously read in 
the lawyer, physician or clergyman. Ho readiness for six weeks, we learned that the history of that nation. I attended balls, 
therefore felt willing to educate me liberal- President Polk had decided not to accept feasts, shows, and festivals—saw military 
1 but a t the same time designed that I the company, and wo wore accordingly dis- parades, mingled in mobs and assemblies, 
out of every hundred of our farmers’ daugh- tice ’ fellen + .f er an J ot , . circumstan- 
J ° cos may otten be construed into want ot 
ters would prefer a young man as a com- friendship, want of politeness, as an evi- 
panion for life, who has a good farm and a dence of hostile contempt, or at least into 
comfortable home. Still there is no ac¬ 
counting for taste, and there may be one 
an indifference to our feelings. • 
Laughter. — There is nothing so truly 
should becomo u farmer at last. I confess, banded. 
however, that my notions did not coincide As my military ardor was in no way 
with his in this particular. I looked upon cooled by this denouement, I set out for New- 
all my acquirements in Latin, Creek, math- York for tho purpose of joining Col. Ste- 
ematics, and tho natural sciences as “ labor venson’s regiment, then encamped on Gov- 
nded. and heard addresses by Louis Blanc, Ledru 
As my military ardor was in no way Rollin, Odillon Barrot, Lamartine, &c.; also 
olod by this denouement, I set out for New saw Louis Napoleon, Gen. Cavignae, and all 
jrk for tho purpose of joining Col. Ste- the notorieties of that groat city, 
mson’s regiment, then encamped on Gov- Still I had not yet “seen the world.” 1 
if I did not engage in ono of the ernor’s Island. 
remained nine left Paris for Belgium, arrived at Brussels, 
learnod professions. When, therefore, my weeks, and I began to doubt whether our and spent several days in walking over the 
father took mo from college “to commence military career would not end whore it had battle field of Waterloo. I then went to 
the study of Agriculture,” as ho was pleased commenced. Ono day while I was in tho Antwerp, saw its curious works of art, and 
to term farming, I was but ill satisfied with c ity I learned that the sheriff had made an thon sailed for Holland. I visited Rotter- 
tho change. I derived more pleasure from attempt to arrest some of tho officers, and dam, Amsterdam, Now Utrecht, and all the 
tho perusal of Homer, Ovid, and Livy, than that tho vossols were ere that time, outside principal cities of the Dutch dominions. I 
from all tho “ Genesee Farmers,” “ Albany 0 f Sandy Hook. I then determined to en- thon went up the Rhino, visited Cologne 
Cultivators,” and “ Essays ” on cattle, shoep ? ter the New York volunteer company ; but and other Prussian cities. Thence I pro- 
and fruit trees, that graced my father’s before one was formed, news arrived that ceeded to Frankfort, and traversed several 
library. negotiations for peace wore just boing con- of the German States. Going still farther 
One day my father callek mo to him, and summated, and I gavo up the project. up the Rhine, I arrived at Basle in Switz- 
gave me a serious lecture on what ho des- p 0 r about two years subsequent to this erland. I ascended the Alps, overlooked 
ignated an important branch of education, I traveled from city to city, sometimes work- the vallies of Italy, and continued to visit 
viz., tho “ science of living.” IIo dwelt on fog at my trade, sometimes lecturing, some- country aftor country, until I had passed 
tho importance of so combining physical times teaching, and sometimes peddling or over nearly all Europe. 
■with mental labor, as to educate the whole other agencies, until I had traversed most Again I returned to London, was present 
man, and finally concluded with a request 0 f the American Union and the Canadas, at the opening of tho Crystal Palace, and 
that I would immediately either apply my- I wa s frequently invited homo, to work at saw the Exhibition of Industry from all 
self to agricultural pursuits, or choose a farming, but I felt disposed to bo “ anything Nations under Heaven. I then joined a 
among the numerous readers of the Rural blamoable as the excess to which the open- 
who would prefer a companion that may * n § °I safety valve of our mirth is ot- 
, , ten carried m company. No lady who en- 
bo destitute of these appendages, provided tQrtains the wish bo J considered sensible, 
ho is well educated, good looking, and has Intelligent or polite will over allow laugh- 
“secn the world.” Perhaps there may be ter to border on tho boisterous, or indulge 
ono, who, herself possessed of a superior in such an unguarded detection of our neigh- 
mind, would find more companionable qual- b°r s ridicule. 1 o a sensith e mind there is 
. ^ . ... r j nothin? more galling, more mortifying than 
ities m one, who, like your correspondent, tQ ima | ine one \ se if th e subject of such an 
can appreciate and hold communion with ebullition. It often happens that ladies 
such an intellect; one who can talk intelli- will burst into a laugh after having scrutin- 
gentlv on every science, designate the beau- ized the appearance of a stranger, though 
ties of every art, who is familiar with no that lau § ht ? r ma - v h . avc "° ret ^ e “ ce to 
, n , , , , , victim writhing under the affliction. We 
less than tour languages, and who at the ad k now that the smiling countenance of a 
same time, would make a kind and affec- ] a dy, drops cheerfulness into hearts but a 
tionate husband, ambitious to please his moment before filled with sorrow; but laugh- 
wife, and make his fireside tho circle of do- ter, loud, immoderate laughter, except in 
,. r. ,. ., cl , private, is a violation of all that is polite, 
mestic felicity. Such a one there may be, F ’ , ... , , . v - n ’ 
, . , J ’ decorous and sensible; it is at best a silly 
who is herself possessed of a farmer s homo, display of one’s own ridicule. 
and who requires such a youth as the wri¬ 
ter of this sketch to take charge of and 
Whispering in Company. —This habit, so 
often indulged in by young ladies in the 
manage it for her. I havo at length aban- presence of friends or strangers, savors 
doned the notion of being “ anything but a strongly of rudeness, if not of gross ignor- 
,. „ , , ,, .. ance. The vainest being, the most conceit- 
farmer, and should esteem it the most ^ or ^ m08t perfec f' Baffors a , ile un . 
honorable and pleasing ot all earthly em- der ema ncipation from tho government 
ployments to cultivate the soil. of true politeness. We cannot help though 
Should any young lady think propor to perfect we may imagine ourselves, to con- 
a . J J .. r A 'li sider our humble self the theme of a mer- 
answer this application of mine, she will whi and the pain rankling in our 
please send a letter through the post, to the W ounded self-love leaves a thorn which 
following address: sooner or later will sting the aggressors, and 
Theron K. Hammond prove a thorn to them. Whispering in the 
j. .* ’ jv* V presence of strangers, without 6omo co- 
Jittica, /v. i. gne nt apology, is therefore entirely out of 
The lady may, of course, use a fictitious place, and ought to be avoided, cost what it 
name iu the first communication, and will may.— JYational Intelligencer. 
