There are hundreds of families that have no small income, yet they are poor, and will remain so for life, unless they turn

over a new leaf, and live as they ought. The members of such

COLLEGES FOR THE SONS OF FARMERS.

377

of light received at the alma mater. No, this is a species of light not to be confined within walls of brick and stone or enclosures of wood; there are no elements of the cloister appertaining to it; expansion and diffuseness are its very essence; its rays, as free as the rays of the material sun, are cast in rich and varied profusion upon the face of the earth; causing vegetable life and beauty to spring up all around us like the dense exhalations of a summer morning. Our young family lecturer ceases not his efforts with the evening discourse or the breakfast-table colloquy, without illustrative experiments. In the morning he equips himself with appropriate habiliments for manual labor, of which he had not become ashamed. Otherwise, even more than ever, he considers it an honor and a pleasure to be a co-worker with nature; using his own hands in those processes by which infinite wisdom gives perfection and sustenance to animal and vegetable life. Thus he exhibits to his associates in daily toil what he saw and what he did on the model farm of college; making an impression as distinct and complete as the daguerreotype, which tells with unbribed accuracy the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Let there be such an agricultural department in each of our colleges, and it will no longer be a proverb that college spoils the sons of farmers, unless it be for the learned professions, in which comparatively but few recruits are required. With such a mental regime for our yeomanry, we shall no longer be disgusted with a long period of indecision in our sons, with their bachelor diplomas spread before them, marveling what profession and occupation they shall adopt, yielding them the means for a subsistence suited to their dignity; and, at last, ninetenths of them probably failing in this, become literary paupers for life, alike disgracing themselves and their families. Whereas, under the culture we prescribe and recommend, they would become a blessing to their families and to society, and at last would acquire an honorable position not reached by one in a thousand in the learned professions. On the plan we propose a farmer's son is sent to college, ordinarily, in a measure to become a teacher to the members of his own family, and to be its representative in society. Hence, what would be expended for his education is not a tax on the family for his individual benefit, but a kind of family investment, by which the whole, in its collective capacity, is to be improved and enriched; which also is the fact to each one individually. Nor are the advantages of his education confined to his own family; they extend more or less to the neighborhood, Few men are aware of the importance of rigid economy.

families are proud and extravagant, and expend a large amount to keep up appearances, and continue in the ranks of fashion.

If there is anything to be despised, it is the union of pride and poverty; the keeping up of appearances to the sacrifice of comfort

38

and health. The money in a few years thus expended by such

COLLEGES FOR THE SONS OF FARMERS.

and even to the town in which he resides. The light of the
sun might as well be shut by high fences and walls to a par-
ticular farm, as the light of science. In both cases it is diffused
freely within given spheres. Its reflections go from one to
another, and from object to object, till all become cheered by
its genial irradiations, and there springs up a vast panorama of
living splendor. Our social habits, moreover, are favorable to
the most enlarged results. The example of one individual be-
comes a type of action to a whole mass of mind and physical
power. Does the agriculturist stand with folded arms, de-
murely gazing upon his own lands, sterile as if smitten by the
everlasting anathema of the Almighty, when those of his neigh-
bor adjoining, by a cheap process of culture and manuring, have
been made fruitful like a garden? Does he cast a glance of
proud complacence on his own farm animals, meagre like shad-
ows, when those of his neighbor are plump and sleek; made
so, simply by better supervision? No. He will blush with
shame. He will resolve to be wiser. What one does, a whole
community, under favorable auspices, will do. In this way an
entire community may be regenerated and made bright with
deeds of beneficence and glory; or, on the other hand, may be
degenerated, as often seen, and made a moral and physical
waste-place.

persons, if taken proper care of, would place them in comfortable circumstances, and ultimately, in independence.

It would be difficult to over-estimate the importance of a healthful example in the various details of agriculture any more than, in morals and religion. It is an engine of power, moving forward with increasing velocity, till resistance becomes unavailing. And were I to resolve to revolutionize the world in 88 some one of its great features, I would exhibit an individual of commanding influence, in bold relief on a broad picture, and others in situations to receive, severally, impressions from him in every possible aspect. These impressions I would again and again have imparted and transmitted from one to another; from mass to mass, till the whole were made identical in all the attributes for which he is signalized. Thus, while the mere declaimer in axioms and syllogisms-in dogmas and theories, is raising his ramparts and his engines for defence and for assault, I would, taking advantage of the sympathetic impulses of our nature, carry conquest and victory with irresistible sway; and, while he would be establishing allegiance by statutes and manacles, I would, as before, establish it by a spontaneous and universal gush of kind affection and perpetual fealty.

But a model farm, of the character named in connection with each of our country colleges, would be advantageous, not simply to boys and young men educated in particular reference to

He who denies his sins, does not atone for them.

The Wife's Influence —Though the romance of the castle, the helmet, the waving plume, and the "clarion wild and high,"

may have vanished from the scene, the charm of woman's

COLLEGES FOR THE SONS OF FARMER'S.

39

practical agriculture. It would be useful to others also; to those designed for the learned professions, and even to such as are not designed for any regular occupation in the way of labor. What an influence it would have upon their general health! Let those engaged in collegiate study, especially prior to the full development of their physical energies, spend a few hours daily in manual labor suited to their years and their strength, and the effect on their health will be incalculably great. Were this done through the whole period of elementary education, we should not have so many dyspeptics among the educated classes as we now have; so many would not have all their worldly hopes blasted by pulmonary complaints; and we should not be compelled in sadness and sorrow to see so many eminent scholars, with genius to reach the highest grades of fame, going down to an early grave!

With proper physical education, to be had on a farm school thus connected with college; and then, thus connected with the professional school-or, in the absence of this, something else as a substitute for systematic bodily exercise-scholastic life might be blessed, even to old age, with vigor and all the elastic attributes of youth. Especially as a taste for rural occupation and enjoyment, thus formed and rendered a kind of instinct or second nature, would lead ever afterward to a due measure of active labor for the preservation, in its full integrity, of the mus cular system. Nor should it be forgotten that this physical exercise, this invigorating of the animal system, conduces equally to the strength and the development of the intellectual man. If the feeble mind does not invariably inhabit the feeble body, it frequently does; and it is not unphilosophical to conclude. that feebleness in the latter indisposes, at least, to great strength in the former. Or, if the elements of mental power actually exist in a frail physical structure, they exist, like latent heat, undiscovered till the application of external agents makes it manifest. There is no want of facts to render certain this hypothesis. They exist all around us. Society is full of them.

The suggestions here made would be found, on experiment, to be no worthless theories. The best interests of society would result from them. Indeed, society would then present some prominent characteristics, now discoverable only as exceptions to its general contour. What a desideratum would it be, to behold a generation of scholastic and professional gentlemen enjoying, during the course of natural life, and presenting to the world all the internal and external rich attributes of hale manhood! Now, too many of these classes of our brethren, in appearance, carry about with them the pale visages and the Of no day can the retrospect cause pain to a good man.

influence lives as brightly in the picture of domestic joy, as when she placed the wreath of victory on the hero's brow.

There are scenes within the sacred precincts of the household, which not the less, because no stranger's eye beholds them, repay,

40

and richly, too, dark days of weary conflict and toil, and long

COLLEGES FOR THE SONS OF FARMERS.

feeble footsteps of that curse. entailed on the human species in
paradise; not, indeed, literally death in the day of first trans-
gression; but, from that day a gradual wasting of animal
strength, till nature becomes unable to sustain itself. This, on
some accounts, is less desirable than death itself. When this
takes place during the full possession of mental vigor, the soul
seems clad in all its glory, to wing its flight to another and a
world.

better

There is another point of view in which the importance of a farm school, connected with a college, becomes apparent. It is still to be kept in mind, that the appropriate instruction for practical agriculture is to be a part of the regular course of collegiate study. This and the farm should go together; either alone will be deficient in meeting the wants of young men. The primary, ostensible object of a college is to prepare men for the learned professions. Formerly, in our country, nothing else was thought of in relation to it. Since the benefits of education are more widely diffused in society, it is found necessary to adapt the instruction of colleges to other objects, or else to establish separate schools for them; to wit, Norman schools, so denominated, and agricultural schools. To our apprehension it is far preferable to have such establishments and all kindred ones connected with our colleges, and made distinct departments of them, with distinctive professorships. Let there be a professor whose special duty it shall be to give instructions in relation to agriculture; and one, if needful, with his appropriate cognomen, to perform the offices of the Norman school-teacher. So, if the circumstances of our country require the highest grade of instruction in other departments of knowledge for instance, civil engineering-let there be a special professor in every college for it. If such organizations in our colleges be made, they will become universities furnishing all the higher grades of mental culture demanded by the age in which we live; and, the affections of the people and the pecuniary resources of the whole country, so far as needed, will there become concentrated and combined, producing an elevated standard of intellectual endowment not otherwise attained. It is not possible in separate establishments to effect that elevation of purpose which is here attainable. The amount of funds required in separate establishments is much greater than is requisite for the accomplishment of the same end in one large institution. With large means, in education as well as in business, large achievements are within our reach. With small means the results will be proportionably small. Besides, where a very large number of young men are Imitate the dove in innocence, and the serpent in wisdom.

nights of anxious care and deep peril. But who shall paint them? Are they not engraven on the heart of the faithful wife!

Its strength is sublime; what fabrics of man can resist it The depth of the sea is sublime; who can sound it i

Its voice is sublime,

whether in the prolonged sound of its ripples or the stern music of its

COLLEGES FOR THE SONS OF FARMERS.

41

brought in contact with each other, youthful impulses are more readily made operative than where only a few act in this way on each other. There is likewise a respectability, a nationality, and consequently a wide-spread controlling influence in one case, not to be expected in the other.

As already intimated, a knowledge of agriculture, as it may be thus acquired, in connection with other collegiate studies, will be found in our professional men of immense value to the community. There is scarcely a county town in New England or the Middle States but what has within its limits more than one professional gentleman who has been graduated at college; ordinarily from four to six; and, it is believed, making an average of four to each town. These are clergymen, lawyers, and physicians. Suppose, as it often happens, that these gentlemen should uniformly spend their leisure in making agricultural improvements, and thereby stimulating their fellow-citizens to do the same. What a change thereby, in a few years, would be wrought! A new aspect would be given wherever this was done. Waste lands would be converted into fertile fields. Small crops would be succeeded by large ones. Good, substantial fences would take the place of those which had for years existed in ruins. Tidy and well-painted houses would everywhere greet the eye, instead of those which had previously exhibited a spectacle of neglect and decay. The farm animals would all participate in this marvelous change; and, instead of an appearance of poverty, there would be the most gratifying evidence of plenty, of comfort, and of thrift.

If the clergyman, in making his pastoral visitations, were to avail himself of the opportunity to introduce casual suggestions to his parishioners on all matters connected with this subject; to point out defects in their habits of husbandry; to specify particulars in which they would find great advantage from change, his presence would be doubly acceptable: he would promote their temporal as well as spiritual interests; and, in many instances, it might be ascertained that his counsels in relation to the former had yielded to them a pecuniary advantage equal, and more than equal, to the sum they annually contributed to his support. Indeed, it is confidently believed that every clergyman in a country town, in the way named, and without the least interference with his appropriate labors, might benefit the farmers of his flock, in the aggregate, more than his entire salary; that they would be enriched, though never attending his ministration, to an amount beyond their quota of ministerial tax or contribution, by his residence among them. It is well known that some clergymen have done far more than this; It were no virtue to hear calamities, if we did not feel them.

roar; whether it utters its hollow tones within the labyrinth of wave-worn caves, or thunders at the base of some huge promontory.