no doubt that those nations are essentially
right, which leave this to individual choice, as a better guide to an
advantageous distribution, than any other which could be devised.
But when, by a blind concourse, particular occupations are ruinously
overcharged, and others left in want of hands, the national authorities
can do much towards restoring the equilibrium. On the revival of
letters, learning became the universal favorite. And with reason,
because there was not enough of it existing to manage the affairs of
a nation to the best advantage, nor to advance its individuals to the
happiness of which they were susceptible, by improvements in their
minds, their morals, their health, and in those conveniences which
contribute to the comfort and embellishment of life. All the efforts of
the society, therefore, were directed to the increase of learning,
and the inducements of respect, ease, and profit were held up for its
encouragement. Even the charities of the nation forgot that misery was
their object, and spent themselves in founding schools to transfer to
science the hardy sons of the plough. To these incitements were added
the powerful fascinations of great cities. These circumstances have long
since produced an overcharge in the class of competitors for learned
occupation, and great distress among the supernumerary candidates; and
the more, as their habits of life have disqualified them for re-entering
into the laborious class. The evil cannot be suddenly, nor perhaps ever
entirely cured: nor should I presume to say by what means it may be
cured. Doubtless there are many engines which the nation might bring to
bear on this object. Public opinion and public encouragement are among
these. The class principally defective is that of agriculture. It is
the first in utility, and ought to be the first in respect. The same
artificial means which have been used to produce a competition in
learning, may be equally successful in restoring agriculture to its
primary dignity in the eyes of men. It is a science of the very first
order. It counts among its handmaids the most respectable sciences,
such as Chemistry, Natural Philosophy, Mechanics, Mathematics
generally, Natural History, Botany. In every College and University, a
professorship of agriculture, and the class of its students, might be
honored as the first. Young men closing their academical education with
this, as the crown of all other sciences, fascinated with its soli