[CIRCULAR.]
We take the liberty of bringing to your notice the accompanying, brochure, enitled "Hints from Hesiod," which we venture to say contains, with but a few rare exceptions, more practical wisdom, in a smaller compass and at a smaller cost to the purchaser, than any publication that has been made during the present century. As will be seen, it is simply a free and easy translation, or rather reproduction in modern dress, of an ancient Greek poet, by occupation a shepherd and farmer—of nearly three thousand years ago; and, as it was for ages regarded among the ancients as a sort of vade mecum, or practical guide for the moral and religious conduct of the husbandman, (in fact, of all classes and conditions of society,) so, it is hoped, its reproduction may be favorably received by the husbandman of the present day, to whom the work is dedicated. It makes no pretensions towards instructing the farmer in the details of his occupation; but may be regarded rather as a friendly companion, which accompanies him in his labors, scattering here and there valuable hints, and sometimes—in fact, quite frequently—applying the goad by way of a sharp incentive to industry and economy. With precepts inculcating these two virtues of industry and economy, as well as the practice of justice and benevolence, we may say the work is replete; and it contains not a few political maxims, too, which it would be well for rulers and all other in authority to study and observe. Indeed, this old Greek farmer poet was
