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first place, the ocean, whose incessant movement and boundless expanse always engage the mind in reveries; the extensive shores, various in their appearance, and spotted over with towns, villages, and groves; the islands and the disastrous rocks, of which there are several to excite the dread of mariners; the light-houses, which always raise agreeable associations in the mind, being one of the few objects that are erected, in a spirit of universal comity, for the common good of all mankind; and, lastly, a gay animation is thrown over the whole, by the scene being interspersed with numerous vessels of all kinds, which lead the spectator, who overlooks the entrance of a great commercial mart, to sympathize in imagination with some of the liveliest joys and regrets of the human mind, the sensations that are passing in the bosoms of those before him, in "the outward and the homeward bound," the grief of departure, the exultation of return. The south-east point of the peninsula resembles very strongly the picture in the travels of Anacharsis, of Cape Sunium near Athens; only that the beautiful temple on the brink of the Grecian Cape, whose harmonious architecture contrasts so strikingly with the rude rocks beneath it, is here wanting. Perhaps hereafter, when Nahant shall possess a handsome marine village, and become the summer residence of many families, a church may be raised on these rocks to the worship of that eternal God, who alone spreads out the heavens, and rules the raging of the

sea.

In travelling through the country, you will see cultivation in all its different stages, from the rude log-house of those who have just commenced an establishment in the midst of the forest, to farms in the older districts, that

have been cultivated for nearly two centuries. You will see a country almost every where susceptible of profitable cultivation, with but a few spots absolutely sterile, and some of the highest fertility. The surface is agreeably variegated, and copiously watered; and no where those dreary wastes, like the heaths and downs of Europe. There are considerable tracts, however, where the soil is full as meagre as that of the heaths; they are now kept for woodland. If ever this wood is suffered to run out, these spots will become perfectly barren.

You will rarely perceive any marks of decay, but almost every where the indications of a prosperity gradually increasing. This aspect of general comfort and happiness, will be a substitute for the want of many interesting objects that are found in Europe, and which are too often accompanied with appearances of misery. Though you will behold no magnificent castles or villas, you will find, every where, substantial dwellings, and more appearances of wealth, than displays of taste. In the vicinity of the larger towns, there are many handsome country seats, laid out on these principles, which we have borrowed from you, and which ornament every part of your island. Our improvements in this way are most of them recent, and are taken from your country, from which we have derived so much, and towards which we should feel so much affection, if political animosities did not interfere, to exasperate the passions. This taste is not yet generally spread, but will soon make its way, and then the number of fences that surround the better kind of dwellings, and are intended to be ornamental, though they have an awkward look, and are very troublesome to keep in order, will be replaced by hedges, lawns, and shrubberies.

as an ornament.

There is almost an instinctive dislike to forest trees, in many of our farmers, and they seldom consider them This feeling naturally arose out of the difficulty of clearing a piece of land from its original forests. In those who commenced their farms with this kind of labour, the feeling can hardly be eradicated,— and the habit of considering trees as a kind of nuisance, which ought to be destroyed, became general. It is not uncommon, therefore, to find a farmer cut down oaks that were near his house, and plant Lombardy poplars, as more ornamental. The increasing value of wood, and the example of better taste, will gradually prevent the repetition of similar absurdities. We have, however, to guard against too servile an imitation of your style of landscape gardening. The circumstances of the country are different, and the great beauties that grow out of contrast, must be produced in other ways. In Europe, where the country is universally cultivated, its unvaried aspect is fatiguing, and therefore the gardeners resort to thick plantations, and continued belts of trees; but here, where there is already too much of forest in the scenery, it should only be attempted to have a sufficient degree of shade for shelter,—and the view of cultivated grounds rather assisted than prevented; a discriminating taste will be governed by these circumstances.

You must not expect the park-like appearance of your own country; you must not look for that succession of neat fields, ornamented grounds, picturesque plantations, and perfect tillage, with which wealth, taste, and agricultural skill have almost covered the surface of England; but if you will look with candour on a young country, indulge cheerful sensations at its improving

state, which will every where appear. If you will not be disappointed at not seeing any vestiges of remote antiquity, or any of those splendid establishments great wealth can produce; if your mind can be satisfied with frequent combinations of the loveliest natural scenery, you will find a tour through many parts of this section of the Union to be attended with great satisfaction.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

LETTER XIV.

Harvard University.

You make some inquiries respecting our colleges. I cannot give you accurate details about most of them; but a general account of the oldest, and the one I am best acquainted with, may answer your purpose; and if you wish for more minute information, it will be readily obtained by addressing yourself to some of the gentlemen connected with it. Their plan of education is nearly the same, and the choice to be made must depend on various considerations. Local convenience and economy are the general motives that send most of the students to all these colleges, in preference to those at Cambridge and New-Haven. The students who come

from a distance, are almost exclusively entered at one of these places, which, as they are the oldest, so they also possess the greatest number of professors, and the largest apparatus for study.

Our colleges were established without reference to any general system. Each state has at least one ;-in

some, there are two or three. The Theological College at Andover, in Massachusetts, is solely devoted to students in divinity, who are preparing for the Christian ministry in the others, all the chief branches of learning are taught,-but only one of them, that at Cambridge, is strictly entitled to the name of University,— and though it has long borne the appellation, it is but recently that it could be really so considered. Yale College, at New-Haven, has derived a high reputation, from the distinguished abilities of some of its late and present instructors; but neither its " personnel" nor "materiel" are sufficiently complete to make it a university. It is, however, a very flourishing institution, and counts, among its students, youths from all parts of the United States. I am not qualified to go into a particular description of it; but some of the remarks I shall offer you upon Harvard University, will apply to this, and all our other colleges.

One principle is common to all these establishments, and which will prevent any of them becoming truly a university, until it is changed: this is, the early age at which the students are admitted. Some of them are so young, that they are brought to the study of the moral and physical sciences, before their minds are matured enough to derive any lasting advantage from it. This was owing, originally, to the circumstances of the country. Little more was intended than to make these colleges a place where the learned languages might be acquired, and the students merely initiated in the study of the sciences. We were too young, too poor, had toe much rough labour to perform, were too much in a hur ry to commence the active business of life, to be able to devote the time necessary to a thorough school and

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