liberties; and then, by his administration of that government, to furnish a model and guide for the Chief Magistrates that were to succeed him and then lead him at length to the last sad scene, the closing hour of the career of the greatest man that earth has ever borne, to the death-bed of the purest patriot that ever periled life in his country's cause; and let him witness a mighty people bowed down with sorrow, and mourning the bereavement of their friend, their father: and as the story shall proceed, that boy's cheek shall glow and his eye shall kindle with a noble enthusiasm, his heart shall beat with quicker pulse, and in his inmost soul shall he vow undying devotion to that country which, above all riches, possesses that priceless treasure, the name, the fame, and the memory of WASHINGTON. Nor is it here that the glorious results of your system of universal education for the people are to be arrested. The same wise Providence which has bestowed on the inhabitant of the New World, that restless activity and enterprise, which so peculiarly adapt him for extending man's physical domain over the boundless forests that still invite the axe of the pioneer, has also implanted in his breast, a mind, searching, inquisitive, and acute : a mind that is yet destined to invade the domain of science, and to take possession of her proudest citadels. Hitherto, the absence of some basis of primary instruction, has caused that mind, in a great degree, to run riot, for want of proper direction to its energies; but, its very excesses serve but to prove its native strength, as a noxious vegetation proves, by the rankness of its growth, the fertility of the soil when yet unsubdued by man. Let this basis be supplied, and instead of indulging in visionary schemes, or submitting to the influence of the wildest fanaticism; instead of becoming the votary of a Mormon or a Miller, the freeman of America will seek other and nobler themes for the exercise of his intellect other and purer fountains will furnish the living waters at which to slake his thirst for knowledge. The boundless field of the arts and sciences will be Emulation will lend strength rival in the race for fame. Then shall we have achieved the peaceful conquest of our second, our moral independence. Then shall we cease morally as well as physically to be the tributaries of the old world. Then, in painting, other Wests and other Alstons will arise: then sculpture will boast opened to his view. and energy to each of other Greenoughs and Powers: then the name of Bowditch will not stand alone amongst the votaries of that science which has her home in the heavens then other philosophers will take their place by the side of Franklin, and other divines will emulate the fame and follow in the footsteps of Channing. THE WILD LILY AND THE PASSION FLOWER. BY THE ABBE ADRIAN ROUQUETTE. Sweet flow'r of light, The queen of solitude, The image bright Of grace-born maidenhood, Thou risest tall, Midst struggling weeds that droop: Thy lieges all, They humbly bow and stoop! Dark-colored flow'r, How solemn, awful, sad! I feel thy pow'r, O king, in purple clad! With head recline, Thou art the emblem dear Of woes divine; The flow'r I most revere ! The lily white, Such is our life: Alternate joys and woes, Short peace, long strife, Few friends, and many foes! My friend, away The ROYAL WAY To realms above is wo! |