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Whilst the pursuits of agriculture engross most of your attention, and you “live by the sweat of the brow,” your interest lies also in giving due encouragement to your mechanics and tradesmen. Every profession is honorable, it well followed–and mutual encouragement it is the policy of all to give. The advantages of education need not be mentioned: all must be ready to admit its value. It is therefore one of the first duties of magistrates and private individuals, as well as of communities, to cherish schools, and provide means for the attainment of this greatest of earthly blessings by the rising generation. What if our fathers, when they fixed their homes in the wilderness, were deprived of the benefits of education? Is it a reason why their posterity should be? By no means. In proportion as the light of knowledge illuminates the mind, does man become capable of happiness, and of sooner estimating the worth of that Light which is infinite and eternal.
To conclude, I would present for your consideration, the picture of a HAPPY SOCIETY, drawn by the worthy Dr. Belknap. It is partially applicable to your situation, and I earnestly hope your exertions will make it still more so.
“A town consisting of a due mixture of hills, vallies, and streams of water. The land well fenced and cultivated; the roads and bridges in good repair. Decent inns for the refreshment of travellers, and for public entertainment. The inhabitants mostly husbandmen; their wives and daughters domestic manufacturers; a suitable proportion of handicraft workmen and two or three traders; a physician and a lawyer; a clergyman of good understanding, candid disposition and exemplary morals; not a metaphysical, nor a polemic, but a serious practical preacher. A school-master, who should understand his business, and teach his pupils to govern themselves. A social Library annually increasing, and under good regulations. A decent musical society. No intriguing politician, horse-jockey, gambler, or sot. Such a situation may be considered as the most favorable to local happiness, of any which this world can afford.”
