direction of every cloud. But as four or five years of my life were passed
in practically acquiring a knowledge of every branch of this most valuable
and respectable occupation, I shall, by reciting the particular
occurrences of that period, as I pass along, convince the readers of this
work, of that which they little suppose to be the case, that it is
absolutely necessary for a man to be a philosopher, before he can be a
good farmer.

My father, having convinced himself of my capability, as well as my
determination to persevere in acquiring the practical manual knowledge of
the various branches belonging to husbandry, now said that he was not only
satisfied, but extremely well pleased, with the progress I had made; and,
therefore, I should now have a respite from such incessant labour, and
should take my poney and accompany him round the farms, to inspect and to
assist him in giving directions to the workmen. A fresh plough boy was
immediately found, and my driver, the vanquished under-carter, again
resumed his situation between the handles of the plough, very well pleased
with my removal. The scene to which I was now introduced opened to my
enquiring eye a new field for observation, and what I had heretofore
passed over as common occurrences, became intensely interesting to me. My
father felt great delight in satisfying my eager enquiries, and, instead
of being annoyed at my unceasing inquisitiveness, he encouraged me to
satisfy myself, and not to leave any one subject till he had made me
comprehend the cause as well as the effect.

About this time my mother, who had been for several years in a very
declining state of health, from a violent nervous affection, which
produced a constant oppressive head-ache, was put to bed of a son, her
sixth child, and to the great joy of my father, as well as all her
friends, as she recovered her strength, and the natural effects of her