If we pause for a moment, to glance at the civil institutions of this wonderful people, we discover how soon and how deeply it entered into their policy, not merely to promote, but to dignify agriculture and its professors.[6] When Cicero said, that "nothing in this world was better, more useful, more agreeable, more worthy of a free man, than agriculture;"[7] he pronounced, not merely his own opinion, but the public judgment of his age and nation. Were troops to be raised for the defence of the republic? The _tribus rusticus_ was the privileged nursery of the legions![8] Did exigencies of state require a general or dictator? he was taken from the _plough_! Were his services rewarded? this was done not with ribbands or gold, but by a donation of _land_.[9] [6] Tanus and Numa were deified for services rendered to agriculture. [7] Cicero de officiis. L. 2. [8] This continued till the time of Marius. [9] As much as he could plough in a day. With such support from public opinion, it was not to be supposed that the laws would be either adverse or indifferent to this branch of industry. We accordingly find the utmost security given to the labours of the husbandman;[10] no legislative interposition between the seller and buyer, neither forced sales--nor limitation of prices--and a sacredness of boundaries never disturbed;[11] fairs and markets multiplied and protected against invasion or interruption,[12] and highways leading to these every where established, and of a character to call forth benedictions and admiration.[13] [10] To cut or destroy in the night the crop of his neighbour, subjected the Roman to death. [11] Terminus was among their gods. [12] Assemblies of the people on days designated for fairs, and on subjects other than those of trade, were not lawful. [13] The Appian way, yet remains the wonder and reproach of modern times. Nor were these regulations confined to the proper territory of Rome. What of her own policy was good, she communicated to her neighbours; what of theirs was better, she adopted and practised herself. Her arts and arms were therefore constant companions. Wherever her legions marched, her knowledge, practices, and implements followed; and it is to these we are to look for the foundation of modern agriculture in Italy, France, Spain, &c. _[Albany Argus_. (To be continued.) _The Moral Plough Boy_. "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand."