The historical relations
[11]
of China mention a ceremony
[12]
of opening the ground which the emperor
performs every year. The design of this public and solemn act is to
excite the people to tillage.
[13]
Further, the emperor is every year informed of the husbandman who
has distinguished himself most in his profession; and he makes him a
mandarin of the eighth order.
Among the ancient Persians
[14]
the kings quitted their grandeur and
pomp on the eighth day of the month, called Chorrem-ruz, to eat with the
husbandmen. These institutions were admirably calculated for the
encouragement of agriculture.
