from those sources which belong to the whole civilized world. In knowledge and letters, in the arts of peace and war, they differ in degrees; but they bear, nevertheless, a general resemblance. 5 On the other hand, in matters of government and social institution, the nations on this continent are founded upon principles which never did prevail, in considerable extent either at any other time, or in any other place. There has never been presented, to the mind of man, a more 10 interesting subject of contemplation, than the establishment of so many nations in America, partaking in the civilization, and in the arts of the old world, but having left behind them those cumbrous institutions which had their origin in a dark and military age. 15 Whatsoever European experience has developed, favorable to the freedom and the happiness of man; whatsoever European genius has invented for his improvement or gratification; whatsoever of refinement or polish, the culture of European society presents, for his adoption and 20 enjoyment, all this is offered to man in America, with the additional advantages of the full power of erecting forms of government on free and simple principles, without overturning institutions suited to times long passed, but too strongly supported, either by interests or preju25 dices, to be shaken without convulsions. This unprecedented state of things, presents the happiest of all occasions for an attempt to establish national intercourse upon improved principles; upon principles tending to peace and the mutual prosperity of nations. 30 In this respect, America, the whole of America, has a new career before her. If we look back on the history of Europe, we see how great a portion of the last two centuries, her states have been at war, for interests connected mainly with her feudal monarchies; wars, for particular 35 dynastics; wars, to support or defeat particular successions; wars, to enlarge or curtail the dominions of particular crowns; wars, to support or to dissolve family alliances; wars, in fine, to enforce or to resist religious intolerance. What long and bloody chapters do these 40 not fill, in the history of European politics! Who does not see, and who does not rejoice to see, that America has a glorious chance of escaping, at least, these causes of contention? Who does not see, and who does not rejoice to see, that, on this continent, under other forms of government, we have before us the noble hope of being able, by the mere influence of civil liberty and religious toleration, to dry up these outpouring fountains of blood, and to extinguish these consuming fires of war? 5 The general opinion of the age, favors such hopes and such prospects. There is a growing disposition to treat the intercourse of nations more like the useful intercourse of friends: philosophy,-just views of national advantage, good sense, and the dictates of a common religion, and an 10 increasing conviction that war is not the interest of the human race, all concur to increase the interest created by this new accession to the list of nations. LESSON CXXXIV.—THE TIMES, THE MANNERS, AND THE MEN.— New times demand new measures and new men But better almost be at work in sin, Than in a brute inaction browse and sleep. 15 The man who stands with arms akimbo set, And he who waits to have his task marked out, Where outworn creeds, like Rome's grey senate, quake. Is called for by the instinct of mankind. 10 With endless change, is fitted to the hour; 15 Let us speak plain: there is more force in names LESSON CXXXV.—LIBERTY TO ATHENS.--JAMES G. PERCIVAL. The flag of freedom floats once more It waves, as waved the palm of yore, As bright a glory from the skies, Pours down its light around those towers, And once again the Greeks arise, As in their country's noblest hours; While man shall live, and time shall be! The pride of all her shrines went down; Her helm by many a sword was cleft: 5 10 15 20 She lay among her ruins low, Where grew the palm, the cypress rose, And sounds redemption to the Greeks. It is the classic jubilee, Their servile years have rolled away; And beauty wakes a fairer spring; LESSON CXXXVI.—THE ARSENAL AT SPRINGFIELD, This is the Arsenal. From floor to ceiling 5 Ah! what a sound will rise, how wild and dreary, When the Death-Angel touches those swift keys! What loud lament and dismal Miserere 10 Will mingle with their awful symphonies! I hear, even now, the infinite fierce chorus, On helm and harness rings the Saxon hammer, 15 And loud amid the universal clamor, O'er distant deserts sounds the Tartar gong. I hear the Florentine, who from his palace Beat the wild war-drums made of serpent's skin. 5 The tumult of each sacked and burning village; The shout, that every prayer for mercy drowns; The soldiers' revels in the midst of pillage, 10 The wail of famine in beleaguered towns! The bursting shell, the gateway wrenched asunder, The diapason of the cannonade. Is it, O man, with such discordant noises, 15 Thou drownest nature's sweet and kindly voices, 20 Were half the power that fills the world with terror, There were no need of arsenals and forts. The warrior's name would be a name abhorred ! Would wear for evermore the curse of Cain ! 25 Down the dark future, through long generations, The echoing sounds grow fainter, and then cease; And, like a bell, with solemn, sweet vibrations, 30 I hear once more the voice of Christ say, "Peace!" Peace! and no longer from its brazen portals The blast of War's great organ shakes the skies! The holy melodies of Love arise. LESSON CXXXVII.—IMMORTALITY.-RICHARD H. DANA, SEN. Is this thy prison-house, thy grave, then, Love? 5 The Eternal Mind,-the Father of all thought,— |