like their classmates, and other associates, in every thing; following the same fashions; going to the same places of resort; manifesting the same superiority to parental supervision and restraint; and mortified if they could not take the same liberties, and display the same independence in all their movements. This is so far from being a manly, independent spirit, that it is directly the reverse. It argues a weak dependence on others for giving law to our conduct. Is it manly or wise to follow the shadows of others, perhaps no more entitled to be a model than yourselves? If you do not follow their example, is it not quite as true that they do not follow yours? Besides, if you must be conformed to the wishes of others, is it not much better that you should consult the judgment, and be regulated by the wishes of those who know you best, who love you most, who take a deeper interest in your welfare, and understand what will promote that welfare better than any others; than that you should follow in the wake of inexperienced, thoughtless companions, who are miserable judges of what is best either for you or themselves; who actually care nothing about your real welfare; and only wish to make you subservient to their present pleasure? I have been a thousand times both surprised and disgusted to find amiable and ingenuous youth, so cowardly and servile in their constant reference to the habits of their fellow

students, that they were ready to break through the wishes, and even the authority of parents and guardians for the sake of indulging this imitative spirit. Those who feel and act thus may imagine that they manifest manliness and independence of character; but they were never more deceived. In the whole business they are displaying a childish reliance on the authority of children like themselves, as weak as it is mischievous.

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LETTER XV.

LITERARY SOCIETIES IN COLLEGE.

Concordia res parvæ crescunt, discordiâ maximæ dilabuntur.

Comes jucundus in vîâ pro vehiculo est.—PUBL. SYR.

MY DEAR SONS,

SALLUST.

THE "American Whig" and "Cliosophic" societies have long existed in the College of New Jersey, and have exerted no small influence on the improvement and character of its students. I will not trouble you now with any details of the history of those societies. You know that the great professed purpose of their institution was that they might promote some important objects which the ordinary exercises of the college were not so well adapted to secure, particularly a spirit of fraternal friendship among the students, and also a laudable emulation in literature, science, manners and morals. Such is the theory of these institutions; and if their actual administration had always been in faithful conformity with this theory, they would, no doubt, have produced fruits of far greater value

than have been ever realized. But large allowance must always be made for the management of every association conducted by ardent young men, of little experience, of sanguine feelings, and of much self-confidence.

Still these societies are truly valuable, and worthy of encouragement; and it gives me pleasure to know that you are connected with one of them. My great design in referring to the subject is to take an opportunity of urging upon you to prize this connection highly, and to study, by all the means in your power, to make it profitable to yourselves and all your fellow members.

You are aware of the evils which are apt to arise and to interfere both with the comfort and the usefulness of such associations among young men in college. The same evils which disturb all other society are apt, of course, to operate here. Beside these, there are many arising from the inexperience, the ardour, the rashness, the vanity, the pride, and the other passions of youth. It has been sometimes observed, that there are no disciplinarians more rigorous, and even intolerant than young men. But their rigour is apt to be spasmodic and unseasonable, and to be followed by paroxysms of indulgence, levity, irritation, disorder, and even violence far more revolting than their spasms of rigour. If the same members could continue to act for twenty or thirty years together,

these evils would be gradually, but certainly diminished. This, however, cannot be the case. A constant succession of the raw, the ardent, and the inexperienced, are destined to be the counsellors and the guides in every measure.

The simple statement of these evils will itself go far toward furnishing an index both to their prevention and their correction. You ought to be continually learning in the hall of your society not only those lessons which will tend to your improvement in mental culture, and in literary acquirement and taste; but also in whatever is adapted to refine your moral and social feelings, and polish your manners. Here you ought continually to cherish that generous, fraternal emulation which seeks to excel, and, instead of sickening with envy at the talents and success of others, is stimulated by laudable efforts to overtake and surpass them. Here you ought to be constantly excited to higher and higher acquisitions in every intellectual accomplishment. Here it ought to be your aim, amidst all the diversities of temper, all the jarrings of youthful passion and all the ebullitions of ignorance, inexperience and rashness, to cherish with studious care the virtues of self-command, prudence, gentleness, and habitual respectfulness. The hall of your society may be regarded as a foretaste of what you are to meet with, on a greater scale, on the theatre of the world. It has been your fortune to be per