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effort will be relinquished; and though, by the camp, he is never satisfied to epose on

this practice, they may become sharp, and his laurels, won either in politics, business or shrewd men of the world, yet they are made war; he always looks for something more by it unamiable and selfish. They seek know- than he has yet attained. After Daniel Webledge for gain, and to surpass others; and ster had made his famous 7th of March speech, thus evil passions of the heart, cupidity and he was lauded to the skies by many who had envy, are in early youth stimulated into ac- followed him through life with a bitter and tivity. The result of this system of education vindictive hate. They had maligned him when, is a race of men, quick, shrewd and selfish, with the inspiration of genius and the conperpetually trying to outmanœuvre each other. sciousness of right, he had launched forth his Men are not virtuous because virtue is prof-thundering philipics against wrong and the itable, nor are they honest because honesty is wrong-doers. And now they had come round the best policy. Neither are men religious to praise him, and it would seem he could rest from the hope of heaven or fear of hell. If content from his labors. But it was not so: from such motives they appear so, there is no for a disappointed, wearied and heart-sick vitality in the religion they profess, but it is old man, he retires to his home at Marshfield simply a cloak, worn for its worldly advan- to die. tage, and its possessor is no better than other

men.

"If ye love them which love you, what thanks have ye?" "Love ye your enemies." The vilest wretch on earth will do a good deed for a reward, but the good man will do it regardless of selfish considerations. To him the act is its own reward.

It is to the fact that people are educated under such a false system, that we must ascribe the magnificent promise of so many, who end by a magnificent failure. They set out with the belief that they will be very great men. In fact, we have none who succeed according to their early anticipations. All come short to a greater or less extent.

The successful man, either in business, politics or literature, is not ontent. He feels at last that he has been chasing shadows, and that there is something beyond that he must attain, or else go unsatisfied to the grave. He who approaches nearest contentment, is the man whose highest aspirations are to surround himself with domestic comforts, and there, encircled by a wife and children whom he loves, to live for them, and through them enjoy the happiness which is not elsewhere to

be found.

For myself, I have neither wife nor children to provide for, and if I read my stars aright, I never shall have. And yet have I seen and do I fully realize, that the highest and most unalloyed pleasure vouchsafed to man is of a domestic nature. I care not how entire may be a man's success in the mart, the forum or

"The applause of wondering thousands" had brought to his mind no peace, nor had the assurance of posthumous fame. Weary and worn, he retired to his quiet home, and there, surrounded by friends whom he loved, and who, as he felt and knew, loved him, he laid himself down and died. The field of politics he left, wearied and wan; and we may imagine, as he turned from gazing for the last time on Bunker Hill Monument, and for the last time took his way from his beloved and adoring Boston, he exclaimed in the words of Tennyson's Marianna

I am aweary, aweary;

I would that I were dead."

In reading the biographies of men of eminence, we find that nearly all of them, when wearied with the chase after the bubbleReputation—and having found out the emptiness of everything else, turn at last to the

domestic hearthstone.

Napoleon acknowledged, in his later years, that his highest happiness had been of a domestic character. In fact, go where you will, and you will find that a bed of glory is a bed of thorns, and that the bed of roses is only within one's own comfortable and quiet home, from which ambitious cares and aspirations are shut out.

It has probably been the lot of most of us, at some time or other, to have known more or less people of distinction. But I question if any of us ever found one who died satisfied with himself or with the world. And the

higher the eminence attained, the greater the high and no higher will be the type of enterdisappointment has been. prise and progress.

The young man at first desires to be-per- We see at a glance that education is of vital haps a member of the lower branch of a State importance, and the facilities afforded for the Legislature. If he fail then, the disappoint-improvement of the mind are great indeed, ment will be slight; but if he succeed, he will and are accessible to all, No one can offer a next aspire to a higher position, and he will reasonable excuse if ignorance and superstition go on looking for something higher than he is his destiny, when there are so many means has yet attained; but when at last he falls, devised for education, the disappointment and chagrin will be proportioned to his former eminence and success. The higher the position, the greater the fall. 'Tis the price of fame. Nature has fixed it as a law, and it is not in the power of man to change it.

From the Melrose (Mass.) Advertiser.
Improvement of the Mind.

AMONG the many subjects within the limits of every person's consideration, there is no one that is of so much importance as the improvement of the mind, to every individual, especially the young men in the middle of the ninteenth century, in whose hands the destiny of this country is soon to rest. The affairs of this government, the whole doings in the vast emporium of this progressive and enterprising land, is soon to be entrusted in the hands of the rising generation. What an important trust? what a responsibility is about to fall upon those that are now in budding youth, unconscious of their approaching responsibilities that the future has in store for them? who are now in the nursery, indulging in the first rudiments of learning, led on from step to step by the counsels of their benefactors, forming the character for weal or woe, as they emerge into futurity, for a life of perpetual usefulness, or misery and degradation,

But the fruits of early training cannot be fully realized until the key of time effects an entrance into their capacious storehouse. Time alone will tell the value of a well-disciplined mind.

We learn from the pages of antiquity, from the teachings of the present and the prospects of the future, that the welfare and prosperity of every country depends upon the intelligence and ability of the people; just so high the standard of civilization' and learning; just so

Every young man, when launching out into the arena of life, having this purpose in view, that he will be somebody, that he will acquire a liberal amount of education, will enrich his mind with useful knowledge, is quite sure to effect his object; and the result will not only be accomplishing the object of his own existence, but be of great service to his country, at the same time securing the blessings of happiness, and throwing within the reach of all around him, to an eminent degree, the same desired blessing,

In studying the constitution of man, we see that he is endowed with an intellect, which was primarily intended for cultivation, to refine and elevate the whole of humanity, to expand and develop the mind; and he who does not use means to accomplish this important end, is perpetrating a deed debasing upon himself and his race; violating the laws of his being without a reasonable cause.

The importance of improving the mind is sanctioned by the living oracles of the world, and is indeed paramount in its tendency. There is no reasonable being that can deny this assertion. It it a universal fact that education is what makes the man; it brings the true dignity of his being into requisition. But it is a lamentable fact to see how few there are apparently conscious of this fact. Cast the eye where we will, it rests upon many that can be reckoned only as drones in the hive of existence, live and pass away like a shadow without a substance, making no impression whatever upon the world, leaving it as they found it, no better or worse.

It is passing strange to see the countless numbers that live without a purpose, without half a dozen thoughts in their lives, mere slaves to perverted passions, drudges and nothing more, without aspiring to higher ends. If a person wishes to be a man, that is, somebody, he has got something to do: he is

obliged to labor and toil early and late, and tongue to say, 'In with your carriage, man! sacrifice much self-denial, or he will never and not let it stand here blocking up the accomplish his object; but if he does this, the passage.' But a better influence prevailed; result will be life, health and happiness to I went to the rear of the carriage and said, himself, an ornament to society and a blessingNow try again, my good fellow!' while to the world. A man clothed in the robes of knowledge and wisdom is indeed a beautiful sight to behold. This can be said of only a few, though the blessing is within the reach of every one. A well-disciplined mind is a rare thing. Whenever this priceless jewel is found, it is an ornament to society, making it as it should be; it is an orb in the constellation of man's genius that shines with a lustre, bright and unclouded as the noon-day sun, and never will grow dim with age.

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It has been too much my way to let others take care of themselves while I took care of myself. If some little trespass was committed on my rights, or if I suffered some slight inconvenience from the thoughtlessness or selfishness of others, I was greatly annoyed, and sometimes used harsh, reproachful language towards the offender.

"I am now satisfied that my own happiness was greatly impaired by this course, and that my conduct and example contributed to the irritation and unhappiness of others.

"It was but the other day," continued the gentleman, "that I was passing along the street, and a coachman was attempting to draw a light carriage into a coach house. He tried once or twice without success, and just as I came up, the carriage occupied the whole of the sidewalk, and prevented my passing. The fellow looked as though it ought not to be exactly so, and there was something like a faint apology in his smile. It was on my

with the end of my umbrella I gave a little push, and in the carriage went, and out came the pleasant Thank ye, sir; much obliged.' I would not have taken a twenty-dollar bank note for the streak of sunshine that this one little act of kindness threw over the rest of my walk, to say nothing of the lighting up of the coachman's countenance.

"And when I look back upon my intercourse with my fellow men all the way along, I can confidently say that I never did a kindness to any human being without being happier for it. So that if I were governed by mere selfish motives, and wanted to live the happiest life I could, I would just simply obey the Bible precept, to do good unto all men as I had opportunity."

All this was said with an air of sincerity and deep conviction, which we cannot give to our report of it. And does the experience of the youngest of our readers confirm or contradict the statement? Is there a boy or girl among all of them who can say, "I did a kind act once to my brother or sister or playmate, and was afterwards sorry for it. I should have been happier if it had been an unkind one?" It is very likely that a kind act has been ill requited, perhaps misconstrued; but if it was performed with proper feelings, it is as certain to produce happiness as sunshine is to produce warmth.

We counsel our young friends then to seize every opportunity of contributing to the good of others. Sometimes a smile will do it. Oftener a kind word, a look of sympathy, or an acknowledgment of obligation. Sometimes a little help to a burdened shoulder or a heavy wheel will be in place. Sometimes a word or two of good counsel, a seasonable and gentle admonition, and at others a suggestion of advantage to be gained and a little interest to secure it, will be received with lasting gratitude. And thus every instance of kindness done, whether acknowledged or not, opens up a little well spring of happiness in the doer's own breast, the flow of which may be made permanent by habit.

For the Schoolmaster. The Monks of Old.

UNDER the cold gray stone,

In many an ancient cloister,
Lies a grim old monk alone,

Like a pearl within an oyster.

His bones have rotted long, But his daily matin song Still wails along the crumbling walls, And lingers in the massive halls, And still its pater noster calls

The shivering piers among.

There hung the clanging bell

In the tower the Reformers blasted;
And this is his little cell

Where he wrote and prayed and fasted.
The hand that held the pen
Stiff many a year has been.

The weary fingers and aching head,
The tongue which so many prayers has said,
Lie stark and cold in the narrow bed,
Never to work again.

Safe, on the dusty shelves,

Lie the yellow and musty pages, Which the good old monks themselves Have written and stored for ages. All glossed and gilded o'er, Those books of ancient lore Look out grim from their dusty boards: But the learned man with care records The stories which, in those valued hoards, Were written so long before.

And thus, though the noble men

In their gowns and shrouds are sleeping, Their cherished old works have been In a safe and jealous keeping.

Though crossed and chaliced gold And apostles of wealth untold Have taken wings and flown away, The ancient manuscripts still, to-day, From their faded pages and bindings gray, Their silent debt of homage pay

To honor the MONKS OF Old.

J. W. O.

NATURE AND ART.-Upon examining the edge of a very keen razor with a microscope, it will appear as broad as the back of a thick knife, rough, uneven, full of notches and furrows. An exceedingly small needle resembles a rough iron bar. But the sting of a bee, seen through the same instrument,

exhibits everywhere a polish most amazingly beautiful, without the least flaw, blemish or inequality, and it ends with a point too fine to be discerned. A small piece of exceedingly fine lawn appears, through a microscope, like a hurdle or lattice, and the threads seem coarser than a yarn with which ropes are made for anchors. But a silk-worm's web appears perfectly smooth and shining, and everywhere equal. The smallest dot that can be made with a pen appears, when viewed by the microscope, an irregular spot, rough, jagged and uneven. But the little specks on the wings or bodies of insects are found to be most accurately circular. So great is the contrast between the works of God and man.

NOT VERY COMPLIMENTARY. A Spanish gentleman has been in the habit of visiting one of our public schools at the south end, partly to observe and familiarize himself with our mode of education, and partly because he was on intimate terms with the master. At one of his visits, last week, the teacher being desirous of paying him a compliment, instructed one of his pupils to draw a map of Spain, and to describe the same at the next visit of his friend. The little fellow made an excellent map, and at the appointed time proceeded to show the map and give his views of Spain, by stating that " Spain was once the most powerful and warlike nation on the face of the earth; but now it was reduced and had become one of the most degenerate, weak and enfeebled," &c., quoting from Mitchell's Geography. The master, much confused, stopped the boy by telling him that he did not exactly meet his expectations in the explanation, although the map was very good.Boston Post.

INEXHAUSTIBILITY OF Books.-Books are the cause of books. Were there no books in the world, it might be difficult to write one; but because there are so many there may be so many more. The rays of intellectual light are, by the prismatic operation of books, broken into an infinity of lines and colors. Men may as soon cease to talk, as to cease to read and write books. All our daily and hourly talk may be made matter of literature,

The

ay, and of interesting literature, too.
more books that are printed, the more food is
given to the mind; and the more nourishment
the mind receives, the more vigorous its
powers; and the greater its strength, the
more valuable its thoughts, and the more
exalted its powers and capacities. There is
no one topic in the whole range of literary
interest that can be conceived capable of ex-
haustion; and in matters of imagination there
is no intellectual foresight, however sagacious,
that is capable of conjecturing what may be
done.-London Atlas.

A Hearty Laugh.

From Chambers Journal.

Genteel Economy.

Ir would be well for some of the more highly-waged of our operative classes to know what is sometimes done, in the way of economical living, by persons whom they regard as their superiors. It often happens that a clergyman, a medical man, a teacher, or some other person of the so-called middle classes, has less income than an artisan. We lately heard of active ministers of the established church of England living on eighty pounds a year. We know that there are Episcopalian ministers in Scotland-officiatAFTER all, what a capital, kindly, honest, ing chiefly amongst the gentry-on similar jolly, glorious thing a good laugh is! What stipends. Were there an advertisement for a tonic! What a digester! What a febri-instances of surgeons and country schoolfuge! What an exorciser of evil spirits! masters not realizing over a pound a week, Better than a walk before breakfast or a nap we apprehend there would be an inpouring of after dinner. How it shuts the mouth of answers like a spring tide in the Severn or the malice and opens the brow of kindness! Solway. Yet all of these people live with Whether it discovers the gums of infancy or their families in a style notedly more elegant age, the grinders of folly or the pearls of and sightly than do the generality of such of beauty; whether it racks the sides and de- the working people as enjoy equal or larger forms the countenance of vulgarity, or dim-incomes. And not only this; but they often ples the visage or moistens the eye of refinement-in all its phases, and on all faces, contorting, relaxing, overwhelming, convulsing, throwing the human form into the happy A remarkable instance of this has lately shaking and quaking of idiocy, and turning been revealed through a privately printed the human countenance into something appromemoir of Mr. Thomas Tomson, advocatepriate to Billy Button's transformation-under an eminent legal antiquary, and the man to every circumstance, and everywhere a laugh is whom the public has been indebted for the a glorious thing. Like "a thing of beauty," arrangement of the national records of Scotit is a "joy forever." There is no remorse in land. This gentleman, who was the intimate it. It leaves no sting-except in the sides, friend and associate of Jeffrey, Cockburn, and and that goes off. Even a single unparticipaall that set, sprung from a manse in Ayrshire, ted laugh is a great affair to witness. But it where the family income was one hundred is seldom single. It is more infectious than and five pounds sterling a year. The worthy scarlet fever. You cannot gravely contem-clergyman not only gave his son Thomas the plate a laugh. If there is one laugher and education required for the bar, and the means one witness, there are forthwith two laughers. And so on. The convulsion is propagated like sound. What a thing it is when it becomes epidemic.—Dublin University Magazine.

WHAT you keep by you may change and mend, but words once spoken you can never recall.-Roscommon.

contrive to educate their children, and bring them forward in life, in a way never dreamt of by the most highly salaried operatives.

of paying his fees on passing advocate, but reared another son to his own profession; besides whom there were other children to be provided for. How such feats were accomglished on so small means, while all the time the usual hospitalities of a rural parsonage were maintained, surpasses conception; yet we are assured they were performed, and the means were strictly no more than what is here

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