Rural Culture: Selections From “Tablets” by Amos Bronson Alcott (vegan), Part 2 of 2

Let us continue with selections from “Rural Culture” in “The Tablets” by Amos Bronson Alcott (vegan), in which he discusses the blessings of simple country life, living in harmony with nature, and earning a livelihood by sustaining human life.

The Garden Rural Culture

“[…] ‘Tis impossible that he who is a true scholar, and has attained besides the felicity of being a good gardener, should give jealousy to the state in which he lives.’ Civilization has a deeper stake in the tillage of the ground than in the other arts, since its roots are fast planted therein, and it thrives only as this flourishes. Omit the garden, degrade this along with the orchard to mere material uses, treat these as of secondary importance, and the state falls fast into worldliness and decay.

‘[…] The birds that dance from bough to bough, And sing above in every tree, Are not from fears and cares more free, Than we who muse or toil below, And should by right be singers too. What Prince’s quire of music can excel That which within this shade does dwell? To which we nothing pay or give? […]’

Methinks I see great Diocletian walk In the Salonian garden’s noble shade, Which by his own imperial hands was made; I see him smile, methinks, as he does talk With the ambassadors, who come in vain To entice him to a throne again. ‘If I, my friends,’ said he, ‘should to you show All the delights that in these gardens grow, Tis likelier much that you should with me stay, Than ‘tis that you should carry me away; And trust me not, my friends, if every day I walk not here with more delight Than ever, after the most happy fight, In triumph to the capitol I ride, To thank the gods, and to be thought myself almost a God.’ […]”