CLASS THE SIXTH. THE SOURCES OF OUR NATIONAL IN recommending agriculture and commerce, as proper subjects of attention in a general scheme of liberal education, I am am not only justified by the importance of the subjects themselves, but by the institutions of respectable seminaries, and the opinions of writers of high character. The art of agriculture has been for several years publicly taught in the Swedish, Danish, and some of the German universities; and I am informed that a professorship' for this purpose has been founded at Edinburgh. In addition to the advice of Milton and Locke, I have moreover the concurrence of Bishop Watson. His remarks upon the best mode of improving academical education are so much to the purpose, that my readers, I doubt not, will be pleased with the following remarks. "I have spent the best part of my life in the university of Cambridge; and have not been wholly incurious in observing what, I thought, were either excellencies or defects in our mode of education. I mean not, upon this occasion, to enlarge upon either, but simply to take the liberty of suggesting an hint, which has often engaged my attention. The hint respects→→→→ the utility of an academic institution for instructing young men of rank and fortune in the elements of agriculture; in the principles of commerce; and in the knowledge of our manufactures. "This kind of study would agreeably solicit, and might probably secure, the attention of that part of our youth, which, in being exempted from the discipline of scholastic exercises, has abundant leisure for other pursuits; which, in being born to opulence, is (I will say) unhappily deprived of one of the strongest incentives to intellectual exertion-narrowness of fortune; it would prepare them for becoming at a proper age, intelligent legislators of their country; and it would inspire them with such a taste for husbandry as might constitute the chief felicity of their future lives. "When the treaty with Ireland was agitated in parliament, the utility of a comprehensive knowledge of our commerce and manufactures was perfectly understood both by those who possessed it, and by those who lamented their want of it. The commerce of wool, corn, cotton, hemp, flax, silk, beer, wine, spirits, salts, sugar, tar, glass, earthen ware, iron, copper, lead, tin, &c. &c. are subjects of great importance to this country; and it is humbly apprehended, that they are subjects also on which there are but few persons in either house of parliament, who have had an opportunity of being instructed during the course of their education. "Of all the amusements or employments in which country gentlemen are engaged, that of superintending with intelligence the cultivation of a farm is one of the most useful to the community, as well as to the individual who applies himself to it. Great improvements have been made in agriculture within the last fifty years; there is a chaos of printed information on the subject, which wants to be digested into form, in order to be made generally useful. The several agricultural societies which have been established by gentlemen in different parts of the kingdom, have done great service; we owe to their endeavours, and to the patriotic exertions of one deserving citizen, (A. Young,) the present flourishing condition of our husbandry; but far more gentlemen would probably have been induced to turn their thoughts that way, and all of them with better prospects of succeeding in their inquiries, had they, in their youth, been carefully instructed in the principles of vegetation, in the chemical qualities of soils, and in the natures and uses of different manures." AGRICULTURE. The pursuits of agriculture are connected with that love of the country, which may be called an universal passion. The charms of nature are there fully displayed; and every mind, which is not debased by vicious refinement, or enslaved by irregular desires, is eager to enjoy them. A principle so universally felt has never failed to call forth the powers of genius; and writers of all ages have expatiated on rural scenes and occupations with the most lively satisfaction. Every poet more especially claims the country as his peculiar province; from it he derives the most beautiful and striking descriptions, and is enabled to represent E those various prospects of nature, which are so highly gratifying to every ingenuous mind. But rural scenes and occupations, considered as conducive to the support and comforts of life, become far more important and useful objects of speculation, than merely as they please the eye by their beauty, or charm the fancy by the images with which they enrich it. They lead to enquiries, which are worthy of the particular attention of every lover of his native country; inasmuch as they present a view of the powers of art combined with those of nature to improve the soil, to the greatest degree of fertility; and thus minister to the subsistence, the increase and the happiness of mankind. Agriculture may properly be considered with respect to the eminent writers upon the subject, and the countries where it has chiefly flourished-its superiority to commerce as a source of permanent abundance and power the improvements made since it has occupied the attention of English gentlemen-the condition of the husbandmen-its comparative state in France, Ireland, America, and England-and the best methods for its farther advancement in our island. Agriculture is the art of causing the earth to produce the various kinds of vegetables in the greatest perfection and plenty. It is not only essential to the well being of society, in a rude and unpolished state; but is equally requisite in every stage of its refinement. As an incitement to its constant and uniform pursuit, it repays the exertions of mankind with regular and abundant returns. From the remotest ages it has been esteemed worthy of general attention. The simplicity of ancient manners rendered it an object not inconsistent with the rank and situation of persons of the greatest eminence. Gideon, the renowned champion and judge of Israel, quitted the threshing-floor to preside in the publick assembly of his countrymen: and Cincinnatus, the conqueror of the Volsci, left his plough to lead the Roman armies to battle; and afterwards declined the rewards gained by his victories, to return to his native fields. In modern times this occupation has been held in no less esteem. There are not wanting those among our nobility, who take a lively interest in all rural improvements, and preside at the annual meetings of Agriculturists, with no less reputation to themselves, than benefit to the art. Washington, the late celebrated president of the United States of America, found the most pleasing relaxation of publick care in the superintendence of his own estate. The emperor of China, at the beginning of every spring, goes to plough in person, attended by the princes and grandees of his empire; he celebrates the close of the harvest among his subjects, and creates the best farmer in his dominions a Mandarin. 1. An art like this, which from its obvious utility must necessarily claim not only the patronage of the great, but the general attention of mankind, in proportion as they are civilized, has been not less distinguished as a subject to exercise the talents of eminent authors. In various ages many have written to explain its principles, and celebrate its excellence. Some have adorned it with the elegance of fancy, and others have methodized it with the precision of rules. Hesiod was one of the earliest of the Grecian poets to sing the praises of the plough, and in a work nearly coeval with the Iliad itself, has combined with the principles of the art many curious observations on the seasons most propitious to its various employments. At a pe |