[FOR THE RURAL MAGAZINE.]
Letters of a Citizen to his Friends in the Country.
No. III.
If the form of government with which we are blessed, is to be durable, it will depend upon the virtue and intelligence of the people. Ignorance and vice cannot sustain a republican system. It becomes, therefore, a duty of the highest order, to spread practical learning over every mind, and cultivate piety in every heart. To do this, the establishment of good schools, on the plan suggested in my last letter, is of great importance. But other means are also to be employed. Parents, guardians, and masters, should discharge their duty toward those who are entrusted to their care, by judicious advice and good example, for the conduct of life. The domestic circle ought to be regarded as a moral garden, under the especial care of the head of every family. Here he may plant good seed, and this he is bound to protect from all pernicious weeds. Let him therefore frequently examine the premises; he cannot be too assiduous, and vigilant. In this particular department, more is to be accomplished, than many are disposed to admit. And if ever our condition as a people is improved, in the degree to which it is susceptible, it will owe much to judicious family discipline. In the city, as well as in the country, we have been too relax in the performance of these manifest obligations. Private happiness and the public welfare are intimately connected with the minute government, and careful training, of the minds of youth.
Among other auxiliaries, I would take the liberty to recommend the establishment of libraries, to be composed of useful books. These might be located in the school-houses of each neighbourhood, and the teacher should be appointed to the care of the establishment. In the country, it is customary to assemble but once, in the day assigned, for social worship; in the afternoon of that day, the library might be opened for the delivery and reception of books. How much better would it be, to witness the people passing, in an orderly manner, to, and from the library of the vicinage, than assembling at taverns, or employed in idle and pernicious sports, on the evening of a day, set apart by Christian professors, for the worship, which is publicly due to the Sovereign of the world!
You may suppose, fellow citizens, that these suggestions are the offspring of a visionary brain; but the period is coming, with no tardy step, when sound morals and undefiled religion will be found to be the best estate. Men and governments prosper solely in proportion as they are regulated by principles which God approves. It is idle, in the last degree, to expect prosperity from any other source. All history, sacred and civil, teaches but one lesson; VICE AND IGNORANCE CONDUCT NATIONS TO THE TOMB!
This epistle is shorter than I had designed it to be; various avocations have claimed my attention. I have only to solicit your attention to the subjects submitted in it to your notice, and to assure you of my good will.
Civis.
[Treatise on Agriculture.]
SECT. II.
Of the actual state of Agriculture in Europe.
8. Holland, though essentially commercial has, from causes rarely occurring, become also highly agricultural. To the descendants of Dutchmen, the following description of her industry, in this respect, cannot but be acceptable. It is from the pen of an excellent judge and faithful narrator.[1]