TO MY MOTHER.

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Original.

CHARACTER OF DANIEL.

CHARACTER OF DANIEL.

BY. G. WATERMAN, JR.

FEW men are distinguished for many traits of superiority. Alexander could conquer a world, but could not govern himself, much less his subjects. Napoleon was unsurpassed in military tactics; but in that only he excelled his compeers. Homer was renowned only for poetic powers, Demosthenes for his eloquence, Aristotle for his metaphysical subtilties, Newton for his powers of analysis, Mozart for those of music, and Burritt for his extensive acquaintance with different languages.

There are, however, a few—although but very few whose names stand emblazoned on the historic page as either possessing a universal genius, or at least as having made attainments varied as well as rare. Such men were Luther, and Paul, and David-men who appear as stars of the first magnitude in the great constellation of human excellence. Of this class no one is more worthy of study and imitation than the Chaldean statesman and prophet, DANIEL. In whatever point of view we consider his character, it stands out in bold relief, unsurpassed in symmetry and beauty by any of the fair group which surrounds it.

"skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the King's presence." This was only preparatory to a much higher course of instruction. For during the three years of their noviciate, they were taught "the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans." Among these Hebrew youths Daniel and his three friends were pre-eminent. The course of strict regimen which they pursued gave them clear heads and vigorous intellects. Unlike their companions, they lost no time in reveling and dissipation; and consequently their minds were never unhinged by protracted sensual excitements and pleasures. These two causes would of themselves be sufficient to account for the superiority of Daniel and his friends. But in addition to these they were assisted by wisdom from on high. "As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom." And the testimony of the King himself, upon the thorough examination of them at the close of their noviciate, was, that none was found like them. "And in all matters of wisdom and understanding that the King inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm." These magicians and astrologers were the most enlightened and scientific men of that age. They devoted themselves exclusively to the cultivation of the sciences; and their renown as men of letters stands emblazoned upon the historic page of high antiquity. Yet Daniel surpasses them all; and at the age of twenty-one was found ten times better in all subjects requiring wisdom and understanding than any member of this learned body.

Daniel was a Hebrew noble. In his early youth the royal city of his nation was besieged and taken by the invading armies of the King of Babylon. The reigning monarch, Jehoiakim, together with all the members of the royal family were taken prisoners, and many of them carried into Babylon. Among these were Daniel and his three friends. At the age of eighteen he was brought into the royal household of the King of Babylon, and, after a preparation of three years' duration, was advanced to the dignity of courtier of that mighty realm. For more than seventy years, and under no less than seven different monarchs, was he employed in the most honorable, and, at the same time, most ardu-height of his rage and vexation, had commanded all the ous and difficult affairs of state.

But besides this direct testimony we have much of an indirect character, which we shall notice hereafter. The honest fearlessness of character, as manifested in the execution of duty, is that which first attracts our observation, and which strikes the mind of every attentive reader with feelings of admiration and awe. When the haughty and disappointed monarch, in the

wise men to be destroyed, because they could not show him a dream which had escaped his own memory, Daniel did not hesitate to tell him that he had com

In contemplating his character, we shall view him in his relations to the state, to society, and to God; or, in other words, as a statesman, a civilian, and a Christian.manded a thing of them which none but the God of In a good statesman we expect to find high intelligence combined with fearlessness in the execution of duty, and unimpeachable political integrity. It is not necessary to stop here in order to show the relations which these several elements of character bear to each other and to the complex whole, or the necessity of their existence in the formation of a thorough states

man.

heaven could perform. On another occasion, having interpreted a vision which foreshadowed approaching calamity to the King, he stands up before that most powerful and wicked monarch, and admonishes him of his guilt and danger, and advises an immediate reformation. "Wherefore, O King, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by rightSuch a discussion might not be deemed appro- cousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the priate in a work like the Repository. I shall simply || poor, if it may be the lengthening of thy tranquility." attempt to show that, as a statesman, Daniel possessed Nebuchadnezzar was an ambitious prince, filled with these several attributes of character, which fitted him arrogance and self-conceit. The incurring of his disfor the discharge of the highest functions of govern- pleasure was death. The rank of the victim was of no consideration. His courtiers and advisers must be Of the intellectual character of Daniel we are as- slain because they cannot perform impossibilities, and sured from the fact that, although but a youth of eigh-gratify his peevish and superstitious disposition. Even teen, he was comprehended under those who were the first officers of the royal city must be cast into a

ment.

CHARACTER OF DANIEL.

fiery furnace, heated to a seven-fold intensity, because they would not gratify his vanity. Yet before this same passionate and excitable man dares a Hebrew captive stand up and reprove him for his sins, and advise a reformation. He feared not to do his duty even at the imminent peril of his life.

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soothe the anguished spirit of the King, and to allay his fears, Daniel fearlessly declares the guilt of the King, and the swift impending ruin of himself and kingdom, and that, too, in the presence both of his family and courtiers. Such an act of fearlessness in the discharge of duty stands unrivaled on the pages of history. And the argument is fair, and the inference perfectly legitimate, that he who could manifest such fearlessness under circumstances to every susceptible mind so trying, would exhibit the same trait of character in circumstances demanding less sacrifice of feeling and accompanied by less danger.

To these attributes of a true statesman was superadded an unimpeachable political integrity.

Hatred and determined oppo

But a more forcible illustration of this trait of character occurs under the dissolute reign of Nebuchadnezzar's grand-son, Belshazzar. This weak and effeminate prince was wholly under the control of his passions. Pleasure was the only object of his pursuit. And although, in name, the monarch of one of the mightiest empires of antiquity, it was but in name; for the whole government was in the hands of his queen mother, Nitocris. Banquetings and revelry was the The testimony of friends on such a point might perorder of the day, or rather night, at the court. On one haps be called in question. We all know the blinding occasion a more splendid feast than usual was to be character of prejudice when exerted for or against any prepared. It was to be given to a thousand of the one. An over-weening confidence and affection might chief officers of the government, and was intended as a also bias the judgment of friends, and, to some extent, full display of the regal splendor of that most luxurious invalidate their testimony. But surely there is no danof the oriental courts. All business was suspended, ger of this kind to be apprehended from enemies. and every thing which could add amusement and inter- They cannot be charged with making too favorable a est to the scene, or gratify the vanity and sensuality of decision, especially when their interests as well as their a voluptuous prince, was present. It is night. The feelings are on the opposite side. Yet such is the tesday has passed amid scenes of debauchery. Inflamed timony which we have concerning the political integby wine, the King, to humor his guests, please his own rity of Daniel. His honor and dignity, and continual vanity, and insult the Jews, has sent to the tower for preferment had excited the envy and malignant passions the golden vessels of the Lord's house, that he and his of many of the court. princes may drink therefrom. They are filled. The sition were the natural consequences; and his removal King is almost deified by the fawning but semi-intoxi- from the high station which he occupied was resolved cated sycophants who surround him. And he, almost upon. But how could this be accomplished? He was persuaded by their flatteries into the belief of his own high in the favor of the King. Their only hope, theredivinity, receives their adulations and praises. Every fore, was in impeachment. To ground an impeachvoice pours forth its fulsome panegyric, and the walls ment his conduct was eagerly watched by the keen eye of the canopied court re-echo the eulogistic strain. of jealousy. But their eyes grew weary with watchBut what has caused so sudden a change? Why does ing, while hope deferred made the heart sick. They the flattered monarch and his pampered admirers stand then reviewed his conduct. For more than sixty years still, stricken with terror and awe? A naked hand has he had been connected with the administration of the traced in mystic characters the devoted monarch's doom. government, and for many years, and under more than But who shall read that unknown inscription? The one monarch, had been the prime minister of state. magicians and astrologers are called in vain. In the||But what was the result of all their scrutiny into past consternation, the queen mother appears, and bidding her effeminate son fear not, advises Daniel to be called. But what a contrast does he present in his appearance and address to that of the sickly sycophants who but a few moments before had filled the King's ears with his own praises! He first alludes to the former judgments upon the King's ancestral family, particularly upon his grand-father for his wickedness. “And thou, his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thyself, although thou knewest all this, but hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou and thy lords, thy wives and thy concubines have drunk wine in them: and thou hast praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified." What a stern rebuke is here administered! When all around, including the queen mother, were seeking to VOL. III.-26

and present conduct? "They could find none occasion nor fault: forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God." What must have been the probity and political integrity of that man whose personal and political enemies could find no fault in him? Verily, he must have been unsurpassed and even unequaled in this respect by any who have succeeded him, or political defamation and detraction were then unknown!

Thus much for the positive and direct testimony concerning Daniel as a statesman. But there is a great amount of incidental and indirect evidence of his qualifications furnished by his history. Had he not possessed, to an eminent degree, all the essential attributes of a perfect statesman, he could not have maintained the high station at court which he occupied under so many different sovereigns. His advancement

A FAMILY SCENE.

"Just as the twig is bent the tree 's inclined."-Pope.

commenced under Nebuchodonosor II., the Nebuchadunder nezzar of Scripture. He continued in power Evil Merodach, the profligate son and successor of Nebuchadnezzar. As the sacred historian informs us, at the first promotion of Daniel, that "he continued even I HAPPENED not long since to call at a certain neighunto the first year of King Cyrus," it is certain that he bor's for the purpose of friendly conversation, when on was engaged at court under the two next succeeding a sudden half a dozen boys and girls pushed into the monarchs, Neriglissor and Laborasoarchod, both of room, and, with a boisterous sound of words and laughwhom, and especially the latter, were most vicious and ter, confused and almost drowned our conversation. abandoned princes. Of the latter the historian remarks The father reddened with seeming resentment, and that, "being born with the most vicious inclinations, said, in a soft tone, "Don't, my children, be noisy." he indulged them without restraint when he came to He might as well have been silent; for they have been the crown, as if he had been invested with sovereign too long acquainted with this irresolute and unsteady power only to have the privilege of committing with government, to pay the least attention to what was impunity the most infamous and barbarous actions." said. They continued their noise till one, a little out Under his successor, Labynitus, or Belshazzar, an ef- of breath, drew off from the rest, to listen to a story feminate and dissolute prince, Daniel was promoted to his father was relating. Presently he cried out, "Fathbe third ruler of the kingdom. During the reign of er, you don't tell that story right." "But do you not this prince, the affairs of the government were wholly know, my son, it is not good manners to interrupt your under the control of Nitocris, an ambitious woman, father when talking?" "But I say, father, you don't put one possessed of a strong mind. This accounts tell that story as I heard it." His father was silent, for the fact, that Daniel, although an officer in the gov. and his son went on with the story; the old man was ernment, was comparatively unknown, or at least for-as tame as a whipped spaniel till it was finished. He gotten by this pleasure-loving monarch. And here we then said, “Come, my son, come, my son, fetch some have an indirect but strong argument in favor of Dan-wood and put it on the fire." "Can't, father: let Sam iel's ability and faithfulness as a statesman. While go; great lazy boy, he han't done nothing to-day." the pleasure-seeking companions of the King were "Yes, I have done more than you have, too: you may spending their whole time in dissipation and luxury, go; father told you first." "Don't say so, Sammy; he was engaged in directing the affairs of the empire; come, John, you are father's best boy: run and bring and so faithful was he in the discharge of his duty, that some wood." "Yes, I am always the best boy when he never found time for indulgence in those scenes of there is any thing to do: have to do every thing under amusement and pleasure in which the King spent his the sun. Great lazy Kate stays in the house, and can't whole time, regardless of the welfare of the empire. do nothing: let her go." In the end, the father went As the latter never troubled himself about state affairs, and got it himself. In his absence, as one was sitting and the former never frequented those places and scenes down in his chair, another pulled the chair away, and which would unfit him for the proper discharge of his let him fall to the floor. He scrambled up in a rage, duties, the natural consequence was that they were per- and fell upon his brother with his fist and teeth, and sonally unknown to each other, and that when Dan- began to cry, "Father, John is biting and striking me." iel was brought into the banqueting court to interpret" Well, Sam pulled the chair away, and almost killed the mysterious inscription upon the wall, the queen mother was compelled to introduce him anew to the sovereign!

With the death of Belshazzar ended the Babylonian empire; but not the prosperity of Daniel. Under the Median prince, Darius, he was advanced to still higher honors, which he continued to enjoy under the estimable Cyrus even to the day of his death. Now had he not been, in every respect, fitted-eminently fitted-for the station which he occupied, we cannot conceive it possible that he should have maintained it, and even been advanced from one post of honor and dignity to another, under so many different princes, of such different characters, and even to have withstood the shock of a complete overthrow of the government and the establishment of a foreign prince. The decided preference given to him by the Median King over all the other courtiers, strongly shows that his talents and fidelity were well known and appreciated, even at a foreign court.

(To be concluded.)

me." "Kate has got a pin and pricks me," screamed another. "He pinched me first," said Kate. "Give me my thing here," bawled the fifth. "I won't; 'tisn't yours; it's mine: you said I might have it." "L-a, my son, do give it to him." "I won't." And away it went into the fire.

Dinner was soon ready, and another scene of irregularities now opened. The children scampered and huddled round the table, and each began to help himself before the duties of the table were attended to. They cut and slashed, crowded and differed, till the pie was brought to the table, when one called out with authority, "Mother, give me a great piece." "Sam (said another) has got a piece as big again as I have;" and away went his piece upon the floor. "O my dear," said the mother, "that is naughty; shouldn't do so: don't cry, my dear, and I will give you a great piece. I believe," said the mother, "the children always act worse when we have company, than at any other time. They act worse than I ever knew them."

Original.

CALORIC AS AN AGENT.

CALORIC AS AN AGENT.*

--

BY J. M. ARMSTRONG.

THE motions of the magnetic needle are another mystery which has been considered inexplicable. But this, also, may be traced to the agency of caloric. It is a species of attraction. We introduce caloric, and lo! the mystery vanishes. It is truly said that all mysteries are perfectly simple when once the key to their solution has been obtained.

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in the form of electricity. It would be unreasonable to suppose that the caloric is decomposed when it reached the regions of clouds; besides, caloric is a simple essence, and therefore incapable of decomposition.

Let us follow this idea a little further, and see how it becomes electricity. Caloric is a very elastic substance, a large quantity of which can be compressed into a small space. When the vapory clouds are condensed into mist or rain, its caloric is liberated from its combined state, but retained in a compressed state. When the quantity becomes so great that the clouds are incapable of retaining it any longer, it perforates the air, and the effect is seen in vivid streams of lightning, producing thunder.

conductor, a piece of metal for instance, can be very easily heated in this way. Now, the only difference is this-the metal being a good conductor liberates the caloric as fast as it is disengaged, and becomes sensible. The sealing-wax retains it in a compressed state, until some conducting substance is brought within its influence, when the whole of the caloric thus retained is liberated at once in the form of electricity.

Let us inquire whether there is not a current of this fluid constantly flowing in the direction to which the magnetic needle points. One of the properties of ca- A very simple and easy experiment will satisfy every loric is to seek an equilibrium. An interchange of ca- one of the correctness of this theory, as well as illusloric is said to be constantly going on at all possible trate the nature of electricity. Take a piece of sealingtemperatures. The interchange is mutual; but a cold wax, or any other non-conductor, and it will be discovbody will receive a much greater quantity from a warmered that it cannot be heated by friction, whilst a good one than the warm will from the cold. Thus, the tendency of all bodies is to become of an equal temperature. Now, every school-boy knows that the equatorial regions of the earth are much warmer than the polar regions; and the obvious conclusion is, that a current of caloric is constantly flowing from the hot regions to the poles. This must take place independently of the heated atmosphere which is known to flow to the poles, since the exchange of caloric between bodies is independent of the medium in which it takes place. Now, the magnetic needle possesses the peculiar property of being affected by these polar currents; and, being balanced on a pivot, it is easily turned in the direction of the current. The caloric which affects the magnet must be in the form of electricity. It is in this way alone that we can account for the fact, that there are From these facts we infer that electricity is but a but three of the metals capable of becoming perma- modification of caloric. The only difference is in the nently magnetic, which are iron, nickel, and cobalt-mode of disengaging it from matter. If it is rendered these possessing, in an eminent degree, the property of free as fast as it is disengaged, it is in the form of conducting this modification of caloric.

This theory accounts very satisfactorily why thunder and lightning are never produced in very cold weather. The circumjacent atmosphere being so cold, or being deprived of a quantity of caloric below its natural ca||pacity, the caloric passes into it as fast as it is liberated from the vapory clouds, and it is thus prevented from accumulating in this compressed state.

heat; but if any quantity is set at liberty together, it exhibits itself in the form of electricity.

There are other principles, or circumstances, in operation by which an electrical current might be created. In the remarks we have just submitted we plainly The earth may operate some how on the principle of a see the universal agency of caloric. To the power of Voltaic battery, or pile, there being a much greater this agent we can assign no bounds. It is by it that quantity of decomposition constantly going on in the the great I Am "taketh up the islands in his fingers as torrid zone than in the polar regions. Thus one would a very little thing." He commands, and it is done. be positively and the other negatively electrified; and The elements obey him. When its power is permitted in this case a current would be created. Electricity to exert itself in the bowels of the earth, it groans and and caloric we take to be only different modes of exci- quakes. It is the agent by which this world is one day ting caloric. This is proven by several facts. When to be destroyed. Yea, under the guidance of the Etera number of small plates of zinc and copper are em-nal Reason, it becomes the grand agent by which worlds ployed in the formation of a Voltaic battery, electricity is generated; but when their numbers are diminished, and the plates enlarged, heat is evolved.

And, again, in the conversion of water into vapor, it is well known that it combines with a large portion of caloric. The vapor thus formed rises and becomes clouds; and when it is condensed into water again, in the formation of rain, its caloric is frequently given off

*Concluded from page 167.

are created and destroyed. It moves and guides the planetary worlds in their orbits. And if we follow it beyond the confines of our system of worlds into the regions of space, there we behold the Almighty employing it in the creation and destruction of suns, with all their retinue of worlds. During the last century thirteen stars have disappeared, and ten new ones appeared in different parts of the heavens. In the time of Tycho Brahe, a great conflagration must have taken place in the constellation Cassiopeia. A star became