The Farmer

Of all the conditions of men, and I liave ningled with every variety, I believc in t-utfi -hut none is so independent asthat of an indusirious, frugal and sober farmer - none affords more ineans of contentment and substantial enoyment - none wlierc the education liaj not jcei; neglectcd, presents better opportunities Tor moral and intellectnal improvenienl- none calis more loudly for religious gratittide - none is suited to give a more lively and deeper impression of the goodness of God. Some years since, iri one of the most rugged paris of New Hampshire, among its craggy cliffs and rude, bold mountain3, I was travelling on horseback, and carne suddenly upon a plain and mosá-covered cottage in the very bosom of a valley, where the brave settler had ?)lanted himself on a few acres of lanu which nlonc seeuiei] capable of cultivation. - Every thing about the residence bespoke indu et ry and care. Being fatigued, I stopped to ask refreshments for myself and horse. - A hale young girl of about 15, bareheaded and barefooted, but perfecüy modest and courteous, with all the ruddiness of Hebe, and all the nimbleness and vigor of Diana, went immediately for an armful of hay and a measure of oats for my horso ; and then kindly spread a table with a cloth as white as the driven snow, and a bowl of pure milk and brown bread for his rider. J never enjoyed a meal more; and offered the family páy for their hospitality; but they steadily refused, saying that I was welcome. I was not willing thus to fax their kindness, and therefore took out a piece of money to give to one of the children thal stood near. "No," said the parents, Lihe must not take it; we have no use for money here." "Heaven be praisuvd,': said ij "that I have found a people without avarice. Now hee wero these hurnble people, with a home which, if it were burned down to-day. iheir neiglibors would re-build for them to morrow - with clothing made from their owr flocks by their owh hands - with bread enougl and beef, pork, bulter cheesc, milk, poultry egg Ml abundance; a good school for l months in the year, where their children prob nbly learned morp, because thcy knew the va lue of time, than those who were driven t school every day in the week, and every wee! in the yenr - wilh a plain religious meeting obmiday, wliere, without ostentation and parade, they meet their neighbors, to gat lier the gossip of the noighbornood, to exchange friendly solutations, to hear words of good moral counci!, and to worship God in the most simple, but not the less acceptable form - and, above all, here were hearts of peace with the world, and with eacti other, full of hospitality to the passing stranger, uncankered by avarici?, and undisturbed by ambition. VVhere upon earth, n a humble cundition, shall we ]ook fora more beautiful example of true independence, for n brighler picture of the true philosophy of life?