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MORALS OF THE DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS. [Part V.

and abundance in which he lives, give him much leisure, and, alongwith it, the virtues of firmness, consistency, hospitality, and gen-erosity, — the general independence of his circumstances, placinghim above any temptation of concealment or disguise, and hisreliance on Providence for seed-time and harvest, setting himabove the necessity of consulting or deferring much to others,give him independence of mind, energy and frankness of expres-sion, manliness of tone, dignity of manners, and self-respect.Such is the combination of qualities, which may be looked for inthe planter and independent farmer, so far as this character isformed under the influence of the pursuit.

The standard of this agricultural character, as it may he called,will, it is true, be lower or higher according to incidental circum-stances ; such, for instance, as the kind of labor which is chieflyemployed ; and for this reason, a difference may be expected be-tween the agricultural character of the northern and southernUnited States. The advantage, in this respect, has been claimedfor the latter, on plausible, if not on convincing grounds. It hasbeen said, “ The general occupation ” (of the southern and south-western States) “is and must be agriculture ; and in it, we shallbe able to practise a less exact economy, than is used where thelaborer’s compensation depends on his care and diligence. Theplanter who disposes of his crop in the gross, will have less of thespirit of trade, than the farmer, whose daily occupation is one oftraffic. We find the fact to correspond with the inference. Butthis may not be without its compensation. A circumstance inwhich the great nations of antiquity are said to have mainly dif-fered from those of modern times, is, that the people of theformer lived less for themselves and more for the public and theState. The latter, in consequence of the commercial spirit, livemore for themselves, for their domestic concerns, and the acqui-sition of wealth. Resembling the ancients in our institutions, weshould resemble them in their public spirit. Where every citizenis raised to the rank of patrician (unless he be degraded from itby his own qualities), he should be more anxious to do honor tohis rank by his personal character, and feel more interest in theprosperity, and more pride in the fame, of the commonwealth.He should know, that, however laudable and necessary may be