tion and recollection that prompt self-command, and readiness of that aptitude and availableness of knowledge, which, in their ultimate and combined results, make up the efficient man of

resource

sense.

After that period of early childhood which has been indicated, our young master may take a slate, and a writing-book, and geography, into his hands, and spend an hour or two daily over them, within doors. Coming to these studies with an organization healthfully expanding, and with a spirit, not broken and subdued by confinement, but

'Whole as the marble-founded as the rock

As broad and general as the casing air,'

he will learn more in six months, than his rival, the infant-school prisoner, has acquired in as many years.

Advancing into the estate of youth, and hobbledehoydom, of course he becomes capable, gradually, of a greater and greater amount of application the caution, for the conduct of that application, still being, not to let it defeat its own object, by causing the neglect, or taking the place, of physical exercises, or by producing more action and excitement of the brain, than can be balanced by impartial exercise of the whole system.

Under this caution, what should be the first and great aim of juvenile studies? Acquisition? No. Development.

What is education? Can you define that noun, Sir? Nay, be not affronted. You, then, at least, fair lady, who have not, I hope, devoted your blooming years to lexicons, may not object to be informed, or reminded, that educatio is Latin for leading forth. To educate a pupil, is to lead forth - bring out, or develope, the principles and faculties of his nature. Another may help him do this, but cannot do it for him. A wise teacher attempts nothing more than to supply the means and aids; to inspirit and direct his pupil in the great work of self-education. God has set this example to all subor dinate teachers.

He does not make us wise and good, but invites and enables us to make ourselves so. He does not educate (otherwise than cooperatively) his most blessed child-the saint, the poet, or the sage. He but opens before them the awful and shining pages of existence; and they read, therein, aright. The moments and ages atoms and worlds of creation, make the words and sentences of that infinite book - dead letters to us, and worthless, if we do not study out their meaning - which is Truth - the divine aliment, the vital breath, of the Soul.

Life has been said to be a series of schools, concluding with a great university the world. This last is the best; for its President is Omniscient. Let the subordinate ones make it their model.

A young student's memory, if forcibly crowded with more facts than it can associate, and more, therefore, than it can permanently retain, is strained and weakened. If exercised naturally and pleasantly, according to its capacity, and in company with his understanding he being skilfully moved and occasioned so to use it- it is developed, or educated. The object is, not to fill his memory, but to strengthen and enlarge it to furnish it with bonds of associa

--

Rules

tion, topics for reflection, data for judgment. The opinions of others should be submitted to him, to excite activity of comparison in forming his own. Illustrious examples should be holden before him, to mature his appreciation of the greatness they illustrate. should be taught him, not as the end, but as a mode, of investigation. So that, by incessant reference of doctrine and example to his own experience and instincts, however crude, he may gradually develope, out of the mental elements of his nature, his own conscience and reason the only reason or conscience for him.

Those of his faculties which (from any of the mischiefs, whether immediate, or accumulated by inheritance, that damage nature's germs) appear least forward, will be specially cherished, in order to a complete and symmetrical development. But there will be no attempt to foist the extrinsic into the place of the intrinsic; to patch (O absurdity!) the vital and expanding growth; to supply, by adventitious substitutes, the imputed deficiencies of nature. A character, or a mind, so formed, cannot endure; its materials cannot assimilate ; it must ever want unity and truth. What is thus done, must be undone. Foreign accretions, by which it has been vainly thought to fill up nature's imperfect work, must be thrown off, however cemented by time, before that mysterious work can complete itself, from its own self-generated and immortal substance. If aided, in so doing, by true education an honest furtherance of nature - the mind will expand constantly toward its own proper perfection; and however little of it may, at any stage, have been developed, that little will be sound, native, and indestructible.

W. H. S.

TWILIGHT.

BY THE LATE J. HUNTINGTON ERIGHT, ESQ.

I LOVE thy quiet, vision-haunted hour!

Dearer its breathings than the voice of morn;
Nor need I seek some dim, sequestered bower,
Where gaudy flowers the latticed walls adorn;
Where'er my rest, I feel the mighty power

Of thy subduing spirit, heaven-born!
On the mind's ear its whispers gently fall,
Like some loved voice, sad, sweet, and musical.

Still as each hue grows fainter in the west,
And tint by tint wears stealthily away,
High, chastened feelings, gather in the breast,
And worldly fancies cease their sportive play;
And cares are laid like buried ones at rest,

And Mirth's loud song is a forgotten lay;
No earthly thoughts, no vain imaginings,
Enchain the soul, and stay the spirit's wings.

Swift as a ray of unobstructed light,

To her high home unfettered Fancy steers,
Nor faints, nor droops, but holds her mystic flight,
Onward, still onward, mid thick-clustering spheres,
And scans the stars, those records of the night,
Living in moments, ages of dull years;
Scatters the shades that dim the mental eye,
And roams unchecked, a pilgrim of the sky!

THE LOVER'S LAMENT.

AN EXTRACT FROM THE 'FAIRY COURT', A MANUSCRIPT POEM.

'FALLING, ere he saw the star of his country rise; pouring out his generous blood like water, before he knew whether it would fertilize a land of freedom or of bondage; wheresoever among men a heart shall be found, that beats to the transports of patriotism and liberty, its aspirations shall be to claim kindred with thy spirit.' WEBSTER.

THERE is a mournful pleasure in turning aside from the active duties of life in forgetting its busy hum and bustle to contemplate the lives of those who, having acted the parts assigned them usefully and honorably to themselves and their native land, have passed to the undiscovered country.'

In examples worthy ever to be imitated and extolled, no land. surpasses that of our birth. Without seeking, then, in foreign climes, or reviewing foreign history, for fit subjects of eulogy, we need only revert to a period distinguished in our own, to find some of the noblest monuments of bravery, heroism, and virtue. The pages of Grecian or Roman history furnish us with no brighter examples of pure and elevated patriotism, of disinterested ambition, of devoted attachment to country and her best interests, than is to be found in that hour which tried men's souls' the revolution of '76.

Upward of fifty years have now elapsed, since the American army, in the person of NATHAN HALE, lost one of its fairest flowers. For more than half a century, he has lain in his cold grave, neglected and forgotten; and while the names of many who have only served their country, have been trumpeted by the breath of Fame throughout the world, the name of him who died in its defence, has been suffered to fade away from the memories of his countrymen.

Born on the eve of that awful tempest which shook the old world to its very centre, he arrived at manhood just as its gathering clouds began to concentrate in their wrath. It was at this period in our country's history, that he closed his academic course; and having graduated at a sister institution, it is from this hour we may date both his public and military career.

Endowed with a mind of no common mould, he had gathered from the paths of science her richest and sweetest flowers. Possessed of genius rarely bestowed, and rightly guided and directed by unusual taste and ardor in scientific attainment, he became distinguished as a scholar. Beloved by all who knew him, for those traits which never fail to excite esteem and affection, he was equally distinguished for the correctness of his morals, the innocence of his habits, and the purity of his principles.

In his manners, pleasing; in his disposition, mild and ingenuous; in his understanding, vigorous and powerful, he bade fair to arrive at an eminence which few of a similar age could hope to attain. Thus favored of heaven in the morning of life, no one ever commenced to tread its chequered path with brighter prospects. Assisted and encouraged in his career by the best wishes and heart-felt prayers of his associates and friends, he went forth to the fulfilment of his high destiny. Alas! how little did he imagine that Disappointment had marked him for her own!'

The period had now arrived, when the secret fires, long struggling in the breasts of our fathers, burst from their confinement. The friends of liberty had begun to rally in her defence, and the slumber. ing spirits of her sons were aroused:

'Then said the mother to her son,

And pointed to his shield,

Come with it, when the battle's done,

Or on it, from the field!'

The daring spirits of the land had assembled, and their cry was heard rising high above the cannon's roar: Our country first — our country last our country always! The voice of Nathan Hale was heard in that cry. He had seen his country's danger, and he was among the first to enlist in her defence. The flowery paths of science, intellectual honor, and advancement - self-interest, present happiness, and the endearments of home were all forgotten, and merged in one feeling love of country.

Having obtained a commission in the army, he commenced the active duties of a soldier, with the same vigor and activity which marked his character when engaged in the fields of literature. Prompt to every duty, his influence here was extensive as it had been in private life.

Passing over intervening events, we now arrive at one of the most critical epochs into which the American army had ever fallen; and it was during this period, that the fate of Hale was sealed. The battle of Long Island had been fought; and for a little time the guardian spirit of freedom seemed to have withdrawn its protecting hand. But it was only momentary. Under the guidance of the 'Father of his Country,' the army was led to a place of safety. To the prudence of Washington, under God, are the people of America indebted for the rescue of their army at this hour of its peril. Having retreated to New-York, it became a matter of moment to the commander-in-chief to ascertain the situation of the British forces; their strength, and their future movements. It were needless to spe