was a meteor visible at the same instant, which was reckoned the burial torch of the Old Year, while others talked of a strange form that came flitting on the midnight wind, and such mournful and unearthly groans as would make the boldest heart beat quick to hear; and many an eye-witness was ready to testify, that precisely at twelve o'clock, the cattle of the farm yard all knelt in silent devotion at the solemnity- it may be this was on Chrismas-eye; but all the other circumstances were indubitable facts connected with the change of the year. And the annual ebbings of curiosity had so long worn and fretted my patience, that I last night determined, if the thing was practicable, to fathom the mysteries of old Father Chronos and, perchance, give a peep at these short-lived children of his.

Accordingly I repaired to a spot, the location and general description of which, it is far from my present intention to reveal, neither can I say precisely how I came to the selection, but have no doubt it was by the influence of some instinctive premonition, for the place was most opportune for the occasion, as propitious for my object as Kirk Alloway for Tam O'Shanter's adventures. It was prodigious cold. There was no raw wind to annoy me, not the least breeze, but I verily believe it was because the atmosphere was congealed, subjected to a complete stagnation by the action of all the frosts that ever hovered about the North Pole, and it seemed as if I were in an atmosphere of frozen quicksilver. Yet there was no retreating, for having come here with the intention to watch until past midnight, had I bolted now, the jeers and raillery of a certain duo, who constitute two thirds of a certain trio, would have been more insufferably sharp than the keen age of a Greenland night; and right lucky do I deem my fortitude. It may have been a quarter of an hour before the "witching time" of night, when a long drawn groan was audible from a distance. It might be the moaning of the wind over the hills-no, it was repeated, and lo! that august personage, the Genius of 1833, suddenly appeared in view. I shall not attempt his description, but if any one is curious about his appearance, or his noble spreading wings, for he had a magnificent pair before they were soiled and worn by use, go to the same spot a twelve month hence and watch for his successor. For my own part, I thought myself frozen up to a preparation for any thing which might present itself to my view, but really I was unprepared for a sight so awe-inspiring. As he approached the spot where I stood shivering, he slackened his pace, and thus outspoke the grave OLD YEAR.

The goal! the goal! how welcome to my sight; and yet that goal which makes the close of my toilsome course must surely prove my grave-the end of my existence. Yes, 'tis finished, and cold oblivion comes-then let it come. Already the New Year appears to take this ponderous load. Advance, my laughing youth, and put a period to my toil, for weariness has conquered me, and I am unable to make the two ends of my course meet."

Really, sire," said the New Year, "I cannot conceive why you should talk of toil. Prithee, haste on the little remnant of your course, and let us see that trifle of yours, which you deem so wonderous weighty; it surely is not such a world that it can tire my vigorous limbs.”

"My boy of the ruddy cheek, I see the smoke curl out from those eyes of thine, which will gladden the hearts of men in winter. But I once felt as fresh as you now do, and thought to finish my course in half the allotted time. Now I am old, my joints are frozen, and every sinew a slave to frost. My time has come, and I shall be remembered only as one who bore a mighty load of care. Even the grand illumination, that was to light me to my grave, some meddlesome spirit has hindered, and set fire to all my starry rockets some forty nights ago."

"Father, this is no time for groaning. Give us that trifle in your hand, and name each parcel that I may know what it is which outweighs all my conjectures."

"Nay, importunate boy, should I tarry to name the half, half your journey would never be performed. First, comes a host of hard times, a mighty heap of weighty rubbish; for all imaginary as they are, there is such a continuity of groans, and such rivers of tears, that they well might load one less vigorous than yourself.Here is a little bundle of cayanne, which Yankees call Nullification, the lesser half of what I started with. Best reserve it to season the Congress stew this winter. And here is a world of doubt upon the merits of thirteen candidates for the next Presidency.- Now let me hang the Union on one side and the States on the other, "to keep the balance true." But Randolph is gone and your load will lag heavier, for he was like hydrogen, of a buoyant nature.-Here, take the Bank Specie and tell the old General"

"Father, the time is up. I must away."

"Then take this bale of English stuffs--Reform! Reform! and petitions longer than the Chinese wall! And here is old Ferdinands empty seat and Portugal's crown if no one comes

to claim them, let John Bull take them as toys for his children to play with. Ah! take the whole load, in confusion as it is; one charge I have however, for your special care. It is my last my dying request, that you will see that it receives no harm."-Imagine my astonishment, reader, (to say nothing of gratification,) to see him produce our own editorial drawer, replenished with a superabundance of manuscripts, and the six firstlings of sprouting intellect. He was proceeding in his charge to the impatient youth, when the notes of the village clock, which was just beginning to strike twelve, drowned every word he spoke, and he was every moment growing more Edson-like, I even thought I could see the stars twinkle through his flitting form, when at the instant the hammer struck the twelfth blow upon the bell, the New Year by a dexterous maneuvre tumbled him in among a confused heap of sundries, seized his voluminous bundle, and in an instant was under way on his new and untired course. I did wish for a few moments, that I knew what directions he gave about the "charge," but we have only to wait and we shall know this and much more, As the new fledged son of Time, sped on his way, a little zigzag at first until he recovered his equilibrium, I observed he scattered his various commodities on every side, and with a profuse hand, so I have no doubt we shall soon hear of strange events that have happened; but whatever may como, Heaven grant that he may scatter blessings upon the heads of our patrons and correspondents, and when he shall have finished his course may he find us all in the enjoyment of health, peace and happiness, present and prospective. Tt.

THE PHILOMATHESIAN.

Vol. 1.

February, 1834.

No. 8.

"'TIS VIRTUE LENDS TO INTELLECT HER CHARMS."

THOUGHTS ON THE CHARACTER OF THE SULTAN SALADIN.

WHERE ever we find a charatcer strongly marked, with great and generous qualities, we are ever disposed to do it reverence.— It is an involuntary, but noble impulse of the mind. Greatness of soul, wherever discovered, will always command respect. However vile, and abandoned a man may become, a disposition to honor exalted virtue, will yet remain in him,-a star that shines through the most clouded atmosphere. It is hard to conceive of an intelligent being, where its influence is not felt. When every other good sentiment or impulse is driven from the heart-a deep and settled consciousness of the worth and dignity of virtue and a disposition to admire and esteem it in others will always remain fastened to the soul, surviving the wreck of all else that is excellent. A bad man, indeed, may be disposed to deny its influence, but it burns within him; so unwilling is he to endure the pang it occasions, that he is careful to shun the society of the good, in order to escape the pain. So that wicked men seek the company of the wicked, where there is little to trouble them.

But what the base, unwillingly admire, a good man loves to honor, and endeavours to imitate. Thoughts of exalted moral excellence are familiar and pleasant to his mind. He feels himself honored in the society of the truly great, and attains to higher moral dignity by looking upon its portrature. There is too a glory in

hearing of great men, for they are of the same great family of which we are one; and we seem in some measure to reflect their greatness. For this reason a truly good man, is always striving to elevate the condition and character of the community, by shedding the light of truth, through all its members; and for the same reason, his thoughts dwell, with intense eagerness, and he studies with keenest relish what ever is revealed of the future state, as presented in the Bible, where the virtuous and redeemed soul, will shine with ever-brightning lustre, and glow with purest radience unstained with impurity, unclouded by error,

The Sultan Saladin was a man of wonderful energies of mind, and if we consider the age in which he lived, and the people over whom he reigned-we must confess the probity and integrity of his character truly admirable. The greatness and strength of his mind, at once appear, in the fact, that notwithstanding, the obscurity and meanness of his parentage, he rose to an Empire over the whole of Syria, and in a short period under one closely Knited government, widely separated tracts of territory, that had always been rivals and enemies, and concentrated in his own person, the hopes and fears of a vast people. His active spirit, awoke energies which had never before been excited-instituted harmony and order, where all had been confusion-and reigned undisturbed by feuds and rebellions, over a people of the most restless and turbulent character. He disciplined armies, that had obeyed little but the impulse of their own wills, to sustain long and suceessful wars, against the chivalry of all Europe, inflamed by the strongest passions that can operate in the human soul, and finally he died quietly in the Holy City which he had so bravely defended, beloved by all his subjects, and the terror and admiration of his enemies.

But the boldness and active energy of his mind, is not yet so much to be admired as its lofty moral greatness. He lived in a country where craft and cunning, were the only instruments men used to get power-in an age, when the most barbarous cruelties were practised, towards a conquered foe-and when successful duplicity, was the grand political throw of ambitious potentates-Saladin rose superior to the genius of the age. While he was wisest in the cabinet, and most daring in the field, he was generous and forbearing to the vanquished -candid and even handed, to a scruple, to all with whom he had dealings. Towards him and his race, the christians, exercised a deep and unyielding hate; to them he was ever gentle and kind. He offered every facility in his power,