THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE SEINE.
GENERAL VIEW OF THE STATE OF AGRICULTURE IN FRANCE
[Sidenote: AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY]
Of all the institutions in Paris, the Agricultural Society afforded me
most satisfaction. It is unexceptionable and praiseworthy in a high
degree, and partakes of the innocence and simplicity of rural economy.
The formation of such an establishment in such a city as Paris is an
anomaly in politics, and, extraordinary to say, the members are nearly
all men of good character, fortune and talents.
This Society supplies the place of the old Royal Society of
Agriculture. Its members are limited to sixty resident in the
Department of the Seine, and not more than 150 Associates, one of
whom at least is chosen from each Department. It also elects foreign
Associates. The Society assembles for the present at the Préfecture de
la Seine in the Place Vendôme. I was present at the last meeting, and
sixteen members were there, including my excellent friend Grégoire;
also François de Neufchâteau, Huzard, Parmentier, Silvestre, the
Secretary and others. It was with extreme pleasure I perceived the zeal
manifested by all the members of the Society for the promotion of the
great and important science of agriculture. In old France the business
of the husbandman was considered the lowest and most grovelling form of
vassalage. The order of nature and of sound policy was thus reversed.
But agriculture in France may now be said to be progressive, and if it
be allowed time and be spared from vexation it will truly enrich the
Republic. When we take into consideration the immense extent of France,
the variety of its climate and the fertility of its soil, together
with the vast resources it contains, one cannot avoid looking with
affection on an establishment so well adapted to collect into one focus
the experiments, details and improvements, native and foreign, by which
these natural advantages may be rendered more politically beneficial to
the country.
The condition of the labouring classes of France has so far not been in
the least bettered by the Revolution; they are yet in the same abject
state for which they were heretofore distinguished. That mutual hatred
which existed between the inhabitants of the population of town and
country still prevails; notwithstanding that liberty and equality have
been written in characters of blood all over France. The Agricultural
Society are endeavouring to connect together the labourer and the
artisan, by pointing out their reciprocal obligations to each other,
and by giving rewards to such persons as shall point out the most
effective methods of rendering their common exertions serviceable to
the State. A variety of publications, some ingenious and lively, others
grave and argumentative, have been circulated to show the immense
importance of rural economy to a State, and to exalt the character of
the agriculturist.
The members of the Agricultural Society are well aware of the many
difficulties which they have to encounter, and the obstinate prejudices
they must remove, before they can hope to bring the rural economy
of France to that point of perfection of which it is susceptible. A
great obstacle in the way of agricultural improvement in France is the
astonishing multitude and diversity of local customs, which even the
violence of the Revolution has failed to alter much less eradicate.
[Sidenote: AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY]
Upon the whole, notwithstanding the present unfavourable appearance
of the general state of husbandry in the Republic, I entertain
little doubt that a peace of ten years will wonderfully alter the
face of things. The means of giving efficacy to the zeal and ardour
of the French I am sensible are wanting, nevertheless so long as
zeal prevails a well-founded hope exists that in defiance of the
poverty and extravagance of the Government, much will be done by the
people themselves. Unfortunately a general sentiment is at this time
predominant in France that nothing can be done or undertaken without
the Government. It is true the Government listens with attention to
every scheme, but their interest appears to go no further. The only way
to prevent all things from going to decay is by continually aiming to
better them in some respect or other, and to afford an attentive ear to
every project for that purpose. It must frequently happen that many of
those projects will be chimerical, but men who expose themselves and
desert the common and certain roads of gain in pursuit of advantages
for the public and not for themselves, must necessarily have something
odd and singular in their characters. It is the character of pride and
laziness to reject all offers, as it is that of weakness and credulity
to listen to all without distinction. Cromwell, partly from his
circumstances, but more from his genius and disposition, received daily
a number of proposals which were often most useful, and often remote
from probability and good sense. But he made a signal use of many
things of this kind.
Colbert spent much of his time in hearing every sort of scheme for
the extending of commerce, the improvement of agriculture and the
arts; and spared no pains or expense to put them in execution, and
bountifully rewarded and encouraged their authors. By these means
France advanced during the reign of Louis XIV. and under this Minister
more than it had done for a couple of centuries, and by these means
also in the midst of wars, which brought France and the rest of Europe
almost to destruction, amidst all the faults in the royal character
and many errors of his Government, a seed of industry and enterprise
was sown, which on the first respite of the public calamities, and
even while they oppressed the nation, rose to produce that flourishing
internal and external wealth and power for which France was afterwards
distinguished.