240 
STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
otherwise wretchedly uncomfortable school-rooms, into play¬ 
grounds where there is nothing but a parched earth beneath a 
blistering sun. Eor the depraved dispositions they manifest, 
and the mischiefs into which they plunge, they are about as 
responsible as the mad dog which snaps at whatever crosses 
its path. 
On the other hand, those who go out from the embowering 
shade of trees into grounds beautiful with trailing vines, and 
shrubs, and flowers, and tempting groves, pass as naturally into 
the indulgence of rational pastimes as the birds—food procured 
and nests prepared—to their carols amid the summer boughs. 
“As the leaves of trees,” says Irving, “are said to absorb 
all noxious qualities of the air, and breathe forth a purer 
atmosphere, so it seems to me as if they drew from us all sor¬ 
did and angry passions, and breathed forth peace and philan- 
throphy.” One whose song is full of that of which he sings, 
has written, 
- “Friendship with the flowers some noble thought begets; 
Come forth and gather these sweet elves; 
Come forth and gather them yourselves; 
Learn of these gentle flowers whose worth is more than gold;— 
Which not in solitude dwell, 
But with each other keep society, 
And with a simple piety, 
Are ready to be woven into garlands for the good.’’ 
And again, 
“Send the children up 
To the high hill’s top, 
Or deep in the wood’s recesses 
To woo Spring’s caresses; 
Better men, hereafter, 
Shall we have for laughter 
Freely shouted to the woods, till all the echoes ring.” 
As a fourth moral advantage resulting from such embellish¬ 
ment, let us consider its influence upon the cultivation and 
refinement of taste, between which and morals there is so ob¬ 
vious a relation. * * * * * 
A relish for the common beauties of nature is one of the 
safeguards of virtue implanted in the constitution of the soul. 
