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gers--and it has been but for a moment on your unearthly loves-it is because he knows such beautiful affections hath but a little abiding place on this thorny and troubled earth, ere they wander to the peaceful heavens. He turns from the ideal to the real--he turns from the quiet vales and the unclouded skies, to the cloud, the mountain, and the avalanche! and yet he would fain listen to the gushings of your young hearts, ere he portrays the harsher and the sterner passions of this noisy world. In bitterness, and in loneliness, he turns from ye, and fain would longer dwell on that rare and gentle affection, which, when it burns no longer, will cause every nightingale to pine, and every angel to weep!

STANZAS.

I.

A dark-eyed flower with leaflet pale,

I found it in a shady vale,
Afar from vulgar gaze it grew,
And I, alone, the pathway knew.

II.

A quiet sky its shelter made,

And gadding vines its home arrayed; And near its realm of bower and tree, Were mansions of the bird and bee.

III.

These, when the summer sun was bright,
Had lays of love, and plumes of light-
And songs were ever in the vale,
And sweetness on the swelling gale.

IV.

Yet not for love of these I sought, The sacred and the shelter'd spotI heard no song of bird or bee, Unless that flow'ret heard with me.

V.

From worldly toils and worldly view,
To seek that flower my feet withdrew;
And, day by day, a wanderer still,
I swam the stream and crossed the hill.

VI.

It was a worship led me there,

For love is still a thing of prayer-
And thoughts of truth, and hopes of Heaven,
Are to its humblest fancies given.

VII.

And in my soul that dark-eyed flower
Possess'd a spell of sacred power,
Nor had I pluck'd it from its rest
Unless to shrine it in my breast.

VIII.

Nor had I placed it there to gain
A simple healing for my pain,
Unless, with purpose, pure as true,
To make it whole and happy too.

IX.

And still I came, but dared not speak;
My heart was full, my tongue was weak-
I came to worship-to implore,
Yet left her, silent as before.

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1. That a contract, made on Sunday, is not binding. 2. That those who are loudest or most unceasing in their professions of regard for the People, are the People's truest friends.

3. That genuine courage is shown by vaporing or bravado.

4. That it is consistent with the character of a gentleman, to smoke in a stage-coach.

5. That green, or unseasoned wood, is as good for making fires, as dry, or seasoned wood.

6. That, in order to exclude a child from a share in his father's estate, the father's will must give him something, however small; or mention him, in any manner.

7. That hot bread, or any bread less than twentyfour hours old, is wholesome.

8. That excessive familiarity is not dangerous to friendship. When I hear two men, whose intimacy does not date from childhood, calling each other "Tom," and "Nat," I look for a speedy, and perhaps a violent death to their friendship. True friendship is not only shown, but strengthened, by mutual respect.

9. That a lawyer, to succeed in his profession, is obliged to utter falsehoods.

10. That those who are constantly talking of the dishonesty of other people, are themselves honest.

11. That the citation of many books, or the use of learned words, is a sign of learning.

A LECTURE
Delivered before the Richmond Lyceum, on Friday evening,
July 13, 1838--by James E. Heath."

Mr. President, and Gentlemen of the Lyceum:

12. That persons who clamor for practice as better than theory, and are celebrated by themselves and their friends as practical men, are always more trustworthy than those whom they deride as "theorists." The forHad I taken counsel of prudence, I should probably mer have usually no guide but their own (often narrow) have declined the honor of now addressing you. My experience: the latter sometimes have the lights gath- pursuits in life for some years past, have not qualified ered by a thousand clear and active minds, during ages me for occasions of public display; and I am altogether of diligent and enlarged observation. A properly conunpractised in the arts of oratory. You have informed structed theory is the methodized, the digested result, me, however, that the design of your institution, is to of what has been seen and done by hundreds of " prac-I feel that I should be recreant to duty, to refuse my encourage literature, science, and general morals; and humble contribution to so noble a cause.

tical men."

13. That a first love is necessarily purer, or stronger, than a second, or third, or fourth love.

14. That keeping the door open in cold weather, is

conducive to health.

15. That other people have not as many, or as great causes of unhappiness, as ourselves.

16. That any simpleton will do for a legislator. 17. That a man, whom his neighbors would not trust with a hundred dollars of their own money, is fit to be trusted with the most important public interests.

18. That EDUCATION consists only in being sent to school; or in book learning.

19. That political consistency is shown by adhering constantly to the same men, through all their changes of conduct and opinion.

20. That it is INCONSISTENCY, to think with one party on some points, and with an opposite party on other points. M.

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You were pleased to refer to my own judgment, the selection of a suitable topic upon which to address you, and I have chosen one, which, without possessing the charm of novelty, is at least interesting to us all. I propose to call your attention to the PRESENT CONDITION OF OUR COUNTRY, AND ITS PROBABLE FUTURE DESTINIES; to point out the DANGERS WHICH AWAIT US, and THE ONLY PROBABLE MEANS BY WHICH THOSE DANGERS MAY BE AVOIDED. This, you will perceive, is a boundless field of investigation; one, which has often been explored by philosophers and statesmen; and, if I cannot fruits which have been gathered by them, I may perhope to present to you any of those ripe and excellent haps be fortunate enough to pluck here and there an in the landscape, which may not have attracted the obidle flower, or to point out some sunny or shaded spot

servation of more adventurous spirits.

In describing the present condition of our country, it will be necessary to notice some of the more striking peculiarities which distinguish it from other civilized nations. It is foreign to my purpose, however, and would occupy far too much time, to compare it with those great classic states of antiquity, familiarly, but I think erroneously, styled the Roman and Grecian Republics. Such a comparison would be the more unprofitable, since the extraordinary changes wrought in the structure of human society, have left between those nations and ourselves few points of resemblance. The sublime dispensation of the christian religion,-the conquests and settlement of the Gothic nations in Europe-the introduction of the feudal system,-the reformation in the 16th century, which emancipated the human mind from a long night of bondage,-the discovery of the art of printing, and the use of the mariner's compass,-with the important consequences which followed each of these events, have effected a mighty revolution in the moral, political, and social condition of man.

It is not without its benefit however, on every suitable occasion, to study the history of those extraordinary

*We trust that our readers will find in the merits of this dis. course, an abundant justification for its republication; though it has been circulated already, by the newspaper press. Its chaste and perspicuous style is a fit vehicle for the valuable truths it conveys and a happy augury may be formed, of the future usefulness of the young association which has elicited a production so much calculated to excite thought, and to prompt virtuous effort. In mentioning the novelists of America, Mr. Heath of course omits himself: but what modesty forbade him to do, justice exacts of us-namely, to remind our readers that he is the author of 'Edgehill,'-ranked by Professor Tucker, in his address, (for which see our last February No.) among the best of American novels.-[Ed. So. Literary Messenger.

VOL. IV. 89

extent of our country-no less wonderful has been its progress since the days of colonial dependence, in everything that constitutes the greatness and power of a nation. Its population, which may now be unquestionably estimated at seventeen millions, has more than quadrupled in fifty years. Its commerce and navi gation, which for several years after the revolutionary war, were very inconsiderable, have reached an amount in imports, exports and tonnage, not exceeded by any

What seas or oceans have not been furrowed by the keels of our daring navigators? What region exists into which the genius of American commerce has not penetrated, whether from Greenland to Cape Horn, or from China to California? Nothing is more common now than to see an American ship strike into the path of the setting sun, and following that burning luminary, as it dips its "glowing axle" in the wave of the Pacific, rise finally on the eastern horizon, after having circumna vigated the globe. What nation can boast a body of men more bold and hardy, more skilful, enterprising and patient under suffering, than the south sea whalers? What country in the world, without exaggeration, bas furnished a marine, both naval and commercial, more adventurous, intelligent and patriotic, than that of America?

nations to which I have referred. They shine so conspicuously in the twilight of ancient story-they were so remarkable in their origin, progress, and mournful decline, that we cannot fail to deduce from them highly useful lessons, if properly considered and applied. Their example teaches us at least one great truth,—the mutability of all human things, and the emptiness of all worldly grandeur. Greece, which though surrounded by barbarism and ignorance, sprung suddenly like her fabled Minerva, into the maturity of wisdom and pow-other nation on earth, Great Britain only excepted. er, Greece, whose volatile and ingenious people, by a sort of inspiration, carried the fine arts, in a short period of time, to the ne plus ultra of perfection; Greece, so renowned for her sages, heroes, poets and philosophers, what is she now? Awakened it is true-recovered somewhat from the stupefaction of centuries of slavery and degradation,-but no longer the land of Homer and Demosthenes,-of Aristides and Phocion. Where now is the once powerful Carthage, the descendant of ancient Tyre, whose dominion is said to have extended 2,000 miles into Africa,-whose commercial spirit penetrated every known region; and whose power and riches attracted the envy and hatred of imperial Rome? Where is Carthage? So utterly extinct, that even the curious antiquary is puzzled to trace the spot where that proud and magnificent city once stood. And what is Rome, imperial, gigantic Rome ?-that haughty and luxurious nation, which once bestrode the earth like a Colossus, and carried its victorious eagles into every land and among every people who dared to resist its lordly edicts? That great nation-at once so renowned for virtue and infamy, wisdom and folly, splendor and misery, has passed from the earth like a shadow, leaving behind her, it is true, a mighty name—and impressing modern society with her laws, language and literature. A new Rome indeed sprung up after the empire of the Cæsars, which, arrayed in its bloody tiara, and sustained by the thunders of the Vatican, exerted a powerful influence on the destinies of mankind: but behold her now-a feeble and tottering state-almost shorn of her spiritual as well as temporal power; the resort it is true of the classical and fashionable tourist,nuity, and untiring industry of our countrymen, have but immersed in sensuality and crime, scourged by a desolating malaria, and exhibiting all the symptoms of a speedy decline. Sic transit gloria mundi!

The rapid advance of our country in the mechanic arts and manufactures, is no less extraordinary. It was the selfish policy of England, when she held us in colonial subjection, to confine our labors to agriculture. Our workshops were on the other side of the Atlantic: in Sheffield, Birmingham and Manchester; and it was the boast of her statesmen, that not a hob-nail should be manufactured in America. Our planters and farmers, of that day, were compelled to despatch their orders to the mother country for the plainest articles of clothing, and even for the common implements of agriculture; and their wives and daughters were decked almost exclusively from foreign looms. But mark the extraordi nary results which have been produced by commercial as well as political independence! The inventive inge

raised us to a rank which not only threatens formidable rivalry, but absolute supremacy over our ancient mistress. If it be not invidious to discriminate, we may remember with pride, that Whitney, the inventor of the cotton gin, (worth millions to the cultivators of that article,) and Fulton, who first successfully applied “all

We turn to a far more refreshing picture, in the contemplation of our own favored land. The first thing which strikes an observer, in glancing at the map of the United States, is its immense territorial extent. Stretch-conquering steam" to the uses of navigation, were both ing from the British possessions, and the great lakes of citizens of the United States. The products of our looms the north to the extreme southern cape of Florida, and and spindles, not only supply materially our home conextending from the Atlantic coast to the territory of sumption, but are wafted on the wings of commerce to Oregon, it presents a frontier line of nearly 10,000 the uttermost parts of the earth. We exchange them miles, and comprehends an area of about a twentieth for the silks and teas of China, the precious metals and part of the habitable globe. Equal in dimensions with costly gems of South America, and the fragrant spices Russia in Europe, this great domain is ten times more of the Indies. Our natural waterfalls, which in the extensive than the kingdom of France, and sixteen solitude of past ages, might have been the favorite times larger than Great Britain and Ireland. It in- haunts of the Naiads, have yielded their delightful murcludes within its boundaries every variety of soil, and murs to the more useful, but less melodious, hum of almost every degree of temperature in climate; and its countless manufactories:-despite political and seesurface is variegated by magnificent forests and beauti-tional hostility, that great branch of national indus ful prairies, and intersected by noble rivers and majes-try has been steadily advancing, and has now reachtic chains of mountains. Its mineral resources too, are ed a degree of perfection, whether we regard the inexhaustible in amount, and incalculable in value. quality or value of its fabrics, which would be utterly But, remarkable as are the natural riches and prodigious astonishing to those who are not familiar with the de

tails. It would consume far too much of your time, to dwell upon those details; but it is worthy of remark, that Mr. Webster, in a speech recently delivered in the United States Senate, estimates, upon satisfactory data, the annual value of the manufactures of Massachusetts alone, at upwards of one hundred millions of dollars. If this be true, and there is no reason to doubt it, what surprising proof does it exhibit of the creative powers of American industry!

Next in order, may very properly be considered the almost magical effects which a few years have produced in the condition of the country, and in the facilities of intercommunication by means of railways and canals, and the employment of steam power in navigation. Scarcely thirty years have elapsed since the first steamboat was launched upon our waters, and now, of our numberless rivers, bays and lakes, where is there one, which does not bear upon its bosom these winged messengers of commerce? A few years ago, and a railway was not even known by name to one in ten thousand,— now, it is estimated that there are nearly one hundred, either finished or in a course of completion, besides nearly three thousand miles of canal navigation in the whole Union. States and cities, which were once far asunder, and knew each other only by report, are now brought into constant and easy intercourse. Barriers and obstructions, apparently insurmountable, have been levelled and removed. The ardent, and almost profane, wish of the lover, that time and space might be annihilated, in order that he should be brought to the object of his idolatry, seems not so extravagant as formerly; and the famous carpet of oriental fable, on which, he who stood, might be suddenly transported to distant regions, without any other effort than simple volition, appears not so much the figment of romance, as it did in the days of childhood.

ducted with great ability. Our own Commonwealth, so long neglectful of ornamental literature, may now boast of a periodical, which has concentrated the rays of some of the finest intellects in the country. Of the multiplication of American books and authors, it would be tedious to speak. Some years since, it was tauntingly asked by the Edinburg Review, "Who reads an American book?" That question was propounded, however, in the spirit of petulance, and not in the sincerity of truth. There is not a department in science or literature, in which our young and vigorous republic has not produced her competitors for fame. In Metaphysics and Divinity, the name of Jonathan Edwards alone is a tower of strength. In Philosophy, who has not heard of Franklin and Rittenhouse, and of Godfrey, the inventor of the quadrant, to say nothing of others, both living and dead, who have won distinction? In Jurisprudence, the opinions of Chief Justice Marshall, and the legal disquisitions of Story and Kent alone, (if these were all the illustrious names in that department,) would be sufficient to redeem us from reproach. In History and Biography, a long catalogue of distinguished authors might easily be adduced if necessary. The Life of Washington, by Jared Sparks, is one of the most pure and beautiful specimens of biographical writing, ever produced in any age or country; and Prescott's Ferdinand and Isabella, will be read with admiration even in the immediate vicinity of the Edinburg Review. The various departments of Natural History, have been explored with untiring zeal and talent, by native Americans, and Audubon alone, by his great work on Ornithology, has placed himself side by side, with the best naturalists in Europe. In the field of Romantic Fiction, if it be true, that we have produced no one writer who can dispute the palm with Sir Walter Scott--none who can rival the masterly sketches of What mighty efforts have been made, particularly character--the loftiness-pathos--and inexhaustible ferin the last quarter of a century, in the cause of Ameri-tility of that Shakspeare of novelists ;--we may, nevercan education, science and literature? At the era of in-theless, boast of names which have won golden opinions dependence, there were not more than six or seven universities and colleges in the United States,--now, there are at least fifty. At that time education was almost exclusively confined to the wealthy, now, it is diffused in a thousand channels by means of academies and primary schools, and sheds its influence alike upon the cottage and the palace. In New England alone, with a population of about one-sixth of the Union, there are no less than ten thousand free schools in active operation.

Next to the pulpit and the school-room, the newspaper and periodical press may be said to exercise an all powerful influence on the feelings and opinions of men. During the revolution, it is ascertained that there were only thirty-seven newspapers published in the United States, whilst, at this time, the lowest estimate would reach two thousand. In periodical literature, our progress has been equally remarkable. A century has not passed since Benjamin Franklin attempted to establish a magazine in the city of Philadelphia; but even under that great man's auspices, it lingered through a feeble six months' existence. Even at the commencement of the present century there was scarcely a publication of the kind deserving the name; whilst now, in the various states of the Union, there are a hundred at least, and many of them liberally sustained, and con

even from the British public. The graphic pictures of Cooper and Kennedy-the polished style of Irvingthe humor and truth of Paulding, and the simple but pathetic morality of our country women Miss Sedgwick and Mrs. Sigourney, have, each in turn, been applauded by the literary world; nor should the name of Bird by any means be omitted, whose historical novels, descriptive of the conquest and scenery of Mexico, have certainly never been surpassed in this country, nor probably, by the great Scottish magician himself. In Poetry too, who can deny but that some of our bards have evinced decided excellence? Which of you have not been occasionally soothed by the pensive muse of Bryant, or thrilled by the splendid lyrics of Halleck, or charmed by the sparkling effusions of Willis? It is true, that America never has, and probably never will produce a Homer, a Shakspeare, or a Milton; but these were mighty men who stand alone in creation, luminaries of genius, around whom lesser orbs are destined forever to revolve.

With respect to the growth of the fine arts, in a soil so long supposed to be uncongenial, let those who are curious to inquire into details, read the lives and labors of American artists, as depicted in the volumes of Dunlap. England owes much of her own reputation, as a patroness of the arts, to the genius and perseverance of

our Benjamin West; and the young British Queen we are recently informed, has not disdained to have her features transferred to the canvass by our countryman Sully. But it is in eloquence, in its most comprehensive sense, in the powers of oratory, as displayed in the pulpit, at the bar, and in the senate-that divine art, which carries captive the passions, and enchains the reason of men-that magical spell which enabled Demosthenes

"To wield at will the fierce democracy,"that wonderful faculty, by which the immortal Tully persuaded and controlled an empire, or by which Henry dispelled the illusion of British invincibility-it is in eloquence, that America, by her free institutions, has acquired an undisputed pre-eminence. The hired emissaries of England, who, after enjoying our hospitality,

have returned home to revile our institutions and ridicule our manners, have some of them had the candor to acknowledge that American orators were almost equal to the same class of men in Westminster Hall and the two Houses of Parliament. They think that our Clay, Webster and Preston, are not altogether contemptible; and this is an important concession, coming from that

quarter.

But whatever opinions may be entertained here, or in civilized Europe, of the merits of our orators and statesmen, our poets and philosophers-all will concede, that America has produced one man, whose equal, in respect, has never been recorded in the annals of time. Of him, it might be said, without poetical exaggeration,

that he was

"A combination, and a form indeed,

Where every god did seem to set his seal, To give the world assurance of a man."

every

Of him, it may with truth be said, that human nature, uninspired of Heaven, could not have reached a higher degree of excellence. If his fame was not so brilliant as that of Alexander, Cæsar or Napoleon, he had a title to greatness which they did not possess, in a life so spotless, that even suspicion has never tarnished its purity. How pre-eminent indeed must have been the character of WASHINGTON, who, though he had wrested from England the fairest jewel in her crown, extorted from British statesmen the tribute of admiration! In the language of the illustrious Fox, "he derived honor less from the splendor of his situation, than from the dignity of his mind; before him all borrowed greatness sunk into insignificance, and all the potentates of Europe became little and contemptible."

all ages and countries, the multitude have occasionally exercised the right of dethroning their rulers, and overturning their governments, but this has generally been attended by violence and bloodshed; whilst here, on the contrary, the people, if they choose, may pull down their government, as a man may demolish his house; and, indeed, with no better reason; for the power is the same, whether it is thought that the foundations are rotten, or the architecture merely distasteful.

2d. In the principle of perfect political equality, by which we mean, not that equality that fanatics and visionaries have imagined to exist, but the equal participation in legal and constitutional rights. In Great Britain, where there is far more political freedom than in the rest of Europe, there are, nevertheless, odious distinctions in rank and privilege, which doom one portion of society to perpetual inferiority.

3d. In perfect religious liberty, and the entire separation of church and state. In some parts of Europe, there exists what is called toleration; but this is in fact not the opposite, but the counterfeit of intolerance. To permit the existence of what are called heterodox creeds, implies a pretended right to enforce uniformity, when required by state policy or caprice. In America, we reject all right of interference whatsoever by the civil magistrate in matters of conscience.

4th. We differ from Europe, including Great Britain, in the almost unlimited freedom secured to the press and to private individuals, in animadverting upon the conduct of our rulers. We hold the doctrine that error of opinion may be tolerated, when reason is left free to combat it. Free as England is, a publication there, intended to bring monarchical government into contempt, would be treated and punished as a libel; whilst in America, we may if we choose, hurl the thunders of the press against republicanism itself, with perfect impunity.

5th. This country is particularly distinguished by the freedom it allows in private pursuits and professions, and by abolishing all distinctions in the transmission of property. Even in Great Britain there are regulations innumerable which shackle the efforts of industry; and their laws of property devolve the estate upon the eldest son, though an idiot, in exclusion of younger brothers and sisters.

I now call your attention to the probable future destinies of this nation, and the dangers which await us. What shall we be at the end of the next half century-a mere span in the life of a nation? Can we penetrate the mysterious veil which hides from us the future? Can we unroll the sibylline leaves, and read the history of unborn generations? There are some things, undoubtedly, which, without the aid of prophecy, may be term

Such then, gentlemen, is the rather imperfect sketch which I have endeavored to present to you, of the con-ed the predictions of reason and experience; and these, dition of our country up to its present period of exist ence. Before I attempt to lift the veil of the future, or venture a prediction of what we shall be, even in the lifetime of some of the youngest of my hearers, permit me to point out some of the more striking peculiarities by which we are distinguished from modern civilized nations.

And, 1st. Our institutions differ essentially from those of Europe, in the principle of self-government, or popular sovereignty. The right of the people to build up, modify, or totally destroy the political fabric, is here recognised as a part of the organic law. It is true, that in

if they do not reach, nearly arrive at absolute certainty. From the well known augmenting principle of popula tion, for example, in a country whose capacity to produce the means of subsistence is almost unlimited, we may safely conjecture, that at the end of fifty years from the present time, our boundaries will contain at least seventy millions of people. Reasoning either from the past, or from well established principles of political economy, there is every probability of such a result. It is almost morally certain that our increase in wealth will be commensurate with the march of population. Agriculture will improve, and bring forth her immeasu

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