HISTORY OF BOWMANVILLE

Part 48

By Mr. J. B. Fairbairn, P. M.

 

During the last twenty years there has sprung up all over the Province a tendency , which I fear is still growing, for the boys to leave the farm. This is much to be regretted. They seem possessed with an idea that a living can be obtained and success achieved by an easier method. Granting that in some exceptional cases this may be a correct rule; still, I am convinced that in by far, the greatest number of cases, it is a great mistake. I was recently talking to Mr. Charles Williams, son of one of the Darlington pioneers, the late Mr. Jesse Williams, who lived north west of Enniskillen, that highly elevated spot, named after the great historic town in Ireland. Speaking about that part of Darlington, the conversation turned on farming, I expressed my conviction that it was the best of all pursuits. He said, "I have no fault to find with it or with what I have financially achieved as the result of my efforts." He is still on the place his father owned and cultiv ated. He said, however, not in a tone of satisfaction, that his son could not be induced to remain on the farm, giving as a reason, the difficulty of getting proper help, and the high wages that had to be pad, necessitating undue labor on the part of the proprietor. In some instances, this state of things may exist though on the whole I do not think a greater mistake could be made by an intelligent boy, as there is no occupation to which he may devote his time with a fair chance of making his mark, but what is attained with equally hard labor and where it is combined with great mental application is doubly trying. It is true that the professions must be largely recruited from the ranks of the farming community, as it is the first and best constituency from which to draw strong men, the rural life creating in them vigorous constitutional life. This applies to both the mental and physical. There is no question as to the correctness of the statement that among the foremost men of the day in every department of human activity-there are many who have risen from the sons of the soil. Taking the rank and file of those who have taken up mercantile and other pursuits, I honestly believe, could the facts be obtained, the majority would have been better off in every way, had they trod in the steps of their forefathers. The noblest way in which to make a living, is that of tilling the soil. The outdoor life is certainly, if not abused by overdoing it, the best means of obtaining health and strength, the pure air and wholesome exercise giving a good appetite, sound sleep and _____ dinner. I forget why it was given, but think it was in connection with the opening of our High School building. It was held in the Bennett House, and the Hon. Edward Blake was present at it. There was a large, distinguished gathering. Among the toasts was-"The farmer of Darlington." This was responded to by Mr. Peter Werry, of Tyrone, and well he did it. He spoke to the point and gave a capital address. He laid great stress on the importance of a well educated yeomanry, and showed how important it was in every department of their work. I felt at the time proud of my Darlington friend and realized how much the High School course had done for him. Why should not the greater part of the rising generation of the farmers’ sons emulate each other and strive to make themselves among the foremost people in the Dominion? They have the chance if they only utilize it. It has always been a wonder to me why more of them do not come to the surface in literary matters. If they would only give more of their time during the long winter evenings to the earnest study of some special lines, the grounds of which many of them get at school, they might become of greater use to themselves and to others. There is no reason that Canada might not become a second Scotland, where so many famous men have risen bouyant hope. It occurs to me that for all that makes for sensual enjoyment, in passing through this existence as well as the opp ortunity to cultivate the higher side of our lives, it is far ahead of anything else. I admit that there is no place for the sluggard-hard toil at certain seasons of the year lies before him, but then there are compensations. In this climate the long winters give them plenty of leisure to read and study to visit friends and to attend meetings and gatherings of different kinds. There is no finer field for our growing youth to train and fit themselves for the great contest which lies before them all, if they only appreciate and take advantage of the vast possibilities that so conveniently surround them. In those days much is within their reach, our excellent schools affording the means whereby all may be educated up to a standard which will give them access to the widest realms of intellectual culture. Our high schools offer them first class subjects on which to feed their mental powers. I would strongly advise all parents who can manage it, to give their sons and daughters a full course at them both. Th e odd thing it seems to me is where one lad only is selected from his brothers and sisters and gets this chance on the supposition that he is cleverer and will devote his energies to some other calling than that of his sire, as if the farmer does not as well as the others require the best education he can get, to enable him to excel in it. I remember that on one occasion at a from the humblest surroundings to the highest stage of world-wide usefulness and fame. Are there not embryo Hugh Millers and Thomas Carlyles in the thousands of Canadian homes? I fear parents are too anxious to instill into the minds of their children, as the one great end, the acquisition of wealth, leaving out the higher aims that should actuate every one who has the ability to grow into a power for good in the higher region of intellectual life.

End of the Series, Hope you enjoyed, Many thanks to Barb Douglas for her great job in typing up these files... Michael Stephenson

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