one without family or near relatives-and as a being for whom few or no tears would fall after his death. Indeed, from what I could learn, he died of a broken heart. I now select for publication, the following from among the Tales of the Traveller. EDITOR.

'I will fire,' said Charles, and preparing his rifle, written with great force. The last chaphe presented the piece, and again calling to the In-ter describes her trial and execution, and dian, warned him of his intention, and once more they are told well. Many of the circumordered him to desist and return. With the instinctive sagacity of his tribe, the stances, particularly the statements of witsavage ceased rowing for a moment, drew the stillnesses, are historically true; and our readThe story commences about the close of inanimate body of Agnes towards him, and placing ers may read with interest the description the seventeenth century, when our Puritan her in such a manner as nearly to shield him, he of scenes which, it may be hoped, neither ancestors had been established in New again resumed the oar and pushed vigorously for they nor their posterity will see passing

England for more than half a century. The two heroes-Edward Bradley and Charles Chesterley, the first the son and the second the protégé, of the Rev. Mr Bradley--are soon introduced. They learn from Uncas, a friendly Indian, that Samoset, a hostile and ferocious chief, was violently in love with Edward's sister, Agnes, and had determined to carry her away from her family by force; the attempt is made, and is defeated by Charles; of course, the rescued and the deliverer soon find out that they are in love with each other, and in due time are married;—and the Indian's endeavour to carry off Agnes, which is instantly and easily baffled, is the only event that occurs to roughen the course of their love. As the rescue of Agnes is one of the most important incidents in the book, we give it to our readers. Agnes, walking by the river side, is seized by the Indian.

His air, stern and determined, had yet a gentleness when he addressed her, and his fierce and martial eye lost its ferocity when fixed upon her face, and assumed an expression of adoration mingled with sadness.

the bank.

'The villain,' exclaimed Charles, and yet there is not a moment to be lost. Shall I run the risk and fire.'

'Yes,' answered Uncas, but the white hunter
must now exert all his skill. I know the redman

to be the Sachem Samoset, and the girl is surely
the sister of your friend Edward.'

An involuntary groan and exclamation of horror
from Charles, at once evinced his prior ignorance
and present fears. He faltered, and the rifle sunk
from his shoulder. He trembled in every limb as
he gazed, with a look of despair, upon the canoe
now within a short distance of the landing-place.
'There is not a moment to be lost,' said Uncas,
see, young man, the canoe flies rapidly,--a few
more strokes of the oar and she will touch the
'Good God,' said Charles, 'should I miss the
wretch and murder her-it is too horrible."

shore.'

Quick!-fire!' cried the Indian, or all will be lost. The Great Spirit will direct the ball,-fire.' Collecting himself by a strong mental effort, the youth seized his rifle ;-took deliberate aim,--and the report rung through the surrounding woods and hills, answered by a thousand echoes that at last died away among the distant cliffs. In an agony of doubt and fear, as the smoke disappeared, Charles gazed upon the canoe. The savage still held the oar. He made two or three strokes, each feebler than the former, tottered on his seat, and finally sunk to the bottom of the canoe.

The terrified girl now attempted, with the eloquence of grief and despair, to deprecate the fear- Overcome by his feelings, the rifle dropped from ful fate that threatened. The Indian listened not his hands, and Charles fell, sick and exhausted, on without emotion,-but silently, and exhibiting no the ground. But Uncas, who had watched with symptom of change in resolution. Throwing her- deep attention the result, threw off part of his dress, self at his feet, she implored his mercy,-offered and plunging into the river, swam towards the boat ample reward,--the friendship and gratitude of her that now drifted down the stream. He roon reachfamily,-threated him with the sure vengeance that ed it-entered, and catching the oar, speedily gainwould follow the perpetration of his crime !-buted the bank, where, in deep anxiety, his companion in vain, the savage maintained his melancholy sat waiting his approach. air and inflexible purpose. At length, startled by Having lifted the inanimate form of Agnes from some noise or rustling in the wood, he seized Agnes the boat, they found, though covered with blood, in his arms, and bore her, in spite of her struggles she had suffered no injury from the discharge of the and cries, rapidly to the canoe. Overcome with rifle. Placing her upon the grass, Charles proceedher exertions and the horror of her situation, she ed to sprinkle her face plentifully with water from fainted; and the savage placing her in the canoe, the river, and at length experienced the delight of entered himself, and pushing from the bank, paddled seeing her once more slowly raise the lids of her rapidly down the stream. He used his oars skill- eyes, and gaze with a stare of alarm and uncerfully, and was speedily gaining the middle of the tainty around. Hastening to assure her of her river, when two dogs rushed from the thicket quick-safety--he endeavoured to collect her scattered ly followed by two men, one of whom carried a rifle. They appeared to have been attracted by the shrieks, which were loud, and uttered as by one in the extremity of terror and distress. They has tily gazed about them, and as the moon shed a bright and unclouded light upon the water, the canoe was soon discovered and hailed. No answer was returned from the boat, and the savage redoubled his exertions to gain a safe and level landing at

some distance below.

By Heaven,' exclaimed one of the men on the bank, I see a woman in the canoe, and the rower is an Indian.'

senses, and make her aware of her sudden and
happy rescue. For some moments the terrified
girl seemed incapable of comprehending either her
present situation, or the import of the tender and
soothing attentions of her protector, whose ques-
tions she noticed no otherwise than by a wild and
unmeaning gaze. At last, recovered by the cold
and copious bath her deliverer had scattered over
her face and temples,--with a profound and heavy
sigh she seemed to regain her recollection, and
seizing the hand of Charles, she involuntarily sunk
into his arms. It is in such moments that art is
forgotten, and nature triumphs.

Our limits will not permit us to make a
minute abstract of the story. There are
some pictures of Indian manners, in peace
and in war, and of the peculiarities which
at that early age prevailed among our fa-
thers, which are well drawn, but the whole

Yes,' answered his companion, it is indeed a redman. But do you recognize the female?' 'No,' said the other, that is impossible at this distance. She appears to be bound and motionless, or, from her silence, she must have fainted with terror. The two men, who proved to be Charles and Uncas, ran along the shore for some distance, following the canoe, and repeatedly calling to the rower to stop. The latter, however, returned no answer, but seem-power of the author seems concentrated ed to be exerting every nerve to reach the opposite bank, which he now evidently approached." He must not be permitted to reach the shore, said Uncas, if his foot touches the ground the lady

will be lost."

upon his witch-Annie Brown-who is a
little of a dupe, and much of an impostor,
and altogether a most abandoned wretch;
much that relates to her is conceived and

before them in reality; scenes, which we could not believe were ever exhibited on earth, but for the most distinct and positive proof.

The news of the capture of Annie Brown soon spread through the neighbouring settlements; and the ministers collected to debate and consult upon the course to be pursued. The belief in witchcraft was too deeply rooted, and the evidence brought against the unhappy woman, too strong to make the consultation long or angry. It was determined that she should be tried for the crime of sorcery, as well as for the murders of which she was strongly sus pected. The day appointed for the trial at length arrived, and the prisoner, who had complained with feverish impatience of the delay, entered the court with the determined and insolent air of command, for which she had so long been remarkable. The room was crowded, and the deep, profound áttention with which the multitude watched every motion of the undaunted female, was strongly coloured by the superstitious dread with which they still regarded her supernatural pretensions. Pale and anxious faces, with the fixed, unwandering eye, told of the anxiety and excitement with which the result was expected. Low and indistinct murmurs ran through the hall, and the narrators of her supposed spells, found willing, untired, and believing auditors. The solemn, dark, and severe countenances of the assembled ministers and judges, the terror exhibited by many of the spectators, the nature of the crime, and the dreadful punishment that waited upon conviction, with the unbending and haughty audacity with which the prisoner appeared at the bar, all tended to render the scene impressive even to awfulness. Silence was commanded, and the trial commenced. With breathless and unbroken

attention, the audience hung upon the various, singular, and incredible evidence offered by a number of witnesses, who detailed with minute and solemn precision, numberless acts of the prisoner's necromancy. There is a species of terror which affords its pleasures. The excitement which is the consequence of such fear, is akin to the delirious animation of which bitter and distasteful drugs are often the parent,-and to which those who use them cling with unconquerable and growing fondness. The idea of fear often gives a pungency to the exhibition, which without it would appear comparatively tame. Many of the auditors, while they listened to the detailed narratives of the hag's sorceries, trembled as they gazed upon her dark and uncommon features,-but curiosity triumphed, and they remained in her dreaded presence, abiding the event of the trial.

Many elderly men and women had given their testimony, when the name of a female witness was that the witness hesitated to advance. At the comcalled. Some little delay ensued, and it appeared mand of the Court, however, she moved towards the table in front of the judges. She was young, apparently not more than sixteen years of age, and as she placed herself at the table, her face wore a ghastly paleness, and her limbs trembled so violently, that she was forced to lean against the railing of she took her stand, but instantly withdrew her the bar. She cast a rapid glance at the Witch, as eyes with increased terror. Annie observing her horror, and irritated at the disgust and loathing with which the girl regarded her, determined, though she had, hitherto, maintained a surly silence, to revenge the insult offered to her vanity. Pique at the offence, which she now imagined had been aimed at her personal appearance, seemed suddenly to arouse all her pride and venom; and the red spot upon her dark cheek, and the sparkle in he

REMARKS ON THE POLICY OF SUBSTITUTING
The discipline OF THE SENSES FOR THAT

OF THE UNDERSTANDING.

ing the attention of the liberal scholar, from may enlarge their conceptions, animate
those speculations which might endanger their powers, and raise their desires of
the stability of ancient prejudices, despots eminence and usefulness. It may well be
who have thought to confine the elastic en- said, that the true value of all studies may
ergies of the understanding, hope to pro- be measured by their reference to the
tract their sway, and gain a brief respite study of humanity, in its broadest accepta-
for those systems of abuse, whose destruc- tion.
tion they perceive to be a necessary conse-
quence of the progress of genuine philoso-
phy.

But besides the general motives which urge on the attention of men in all ages and nations, the importance of this direction of human inquiry, we may find other and more weighty arguments arising out of the age and region in which we live. The age is one most peculiarly interesting to those who regard the advancement and happiness of society. The relations of it is deserving of a place among the ob-man to man, in all the social, civil, and rejects of our early pursuit. But we connot ligious institutions of the world, are beallow it the first place, nor admit it even to coming daily more and more clearly understand in competition with those studies, stood. The dogmas of despotism,-the selfwhich refer directly to the mind, charac- derived power of sovereigns,-the homage ter, and condition of man. Contemplate of subjects, the legitimacy or illegitimacy nature in whichsover department, and un- of this or that royal house, the connexion der whatever form you please, and you between patron and client,-between liege will still discover, that the true source of and vassal, with the influence of hereditary our interest in the subject, is the connex- wealth, and titles, are all gradually vanishThe world was long ago told, that "the ion of that subject with human beings or ing before those great truths, which are proper study of mankind is MAN." Of late, human relations. It has been truly remark- now beginning to be understood. The ecohowever, there is some danger of its be-ed, that "it is a higher effort to unfold the nomical system of government also, as opcoming fashionable to controvert this plain passions, than to sketch a landscape; and posed to the burthensome machinery of that doctrine, not by maintaining the propriety that we are soon tired of the most highly plan, which reduced men to obedience by of ascending, as was formerly done, to the wrought pictures of natural scenery, unless dazzling their senses with pageantry, is investigation of superior natures, but of there is some Rinaldo in peril, or Erminia continually gaining advocates among all descending to the examination of inferior. in need of seclusion." It may be impor- classes of society, and most of all, among Passing from the extreme of mere meta- tant to subdue the physical elements, and the enlightened and reflecting. The inphysical speculation, and that unprofitable make them subservient to our wants and quisitorial cell was once a popular as well as contest which began and ended in a jargon conveniences;-but much more so, to sub- legitimate reward for the crime of judging of technicalities, some persons would go to due the chaotic elements of human society for one's self in matters of faith, and of the opposite excess of directing the whole to the form of a well regulated community. doubting the supremacy and infallibility of energies of the student to the examination It may be interesting to trace the growth him, whom a conclave had voted to be the of material or sensible objects, instead of and gradual perfecting of the plants that veritable successor of Saint Peter. But a employing them in the investigation of the spring from the earth in endless variety; voice from the penetralia of the Vatican laws and phenomena of mind, the bases but infinitely more so to mark the growth has told the world that even the inquisition, and springs of human duty, and the true and development of human faculties. It so long the favourite chastening rod of sources of human power. We are ready may prevent downright idleness, to employ mother church, is inconsistent with the to admit that, so far as man is to be rank- one's self in arranging, according to fan- spirit and character of the present age. ed with mere animals, or machines, so far cied or real resemblances, the most insig- Notwithstanding these comparatively aumay a material or mechanical education an- nificant tribes of shells, pebbles, insects, spicious appearances, these partial concesswer the purposes of his humble existence; and reptiles; but will any man, in his sober sions in favour of natural right, there is a and that, in every region and under every senses, place this paltry occupation in com- most fearful contest still waging between form of government, where permanent ar- petition with that of tracing the phenome-public opinion on the one hand, and inditificial distinctions of rank exist, a vast pro- na of mind, and from single facts and deportion of the community will be compelled tached observations, ascending to those to content themselves with a mean, me- general principles which are observed to chanical sort of education. In such a state govern its operations? or, drawing from of society, the higher classes would never the memorials of history, eloquence, and countenance the diffusion of knowldge on poetry,-the sentiments, the opinions, the subjects touching the natural equality, the actions of men, under various circumstanmutual obligations, the political rights, and ces, and combining into systems and codes the religious freedom of mankind. All the the principles of moral duty and of political purposes for which they would wish any order? Even admitting, what is by no degree of knowledge diffused, would be means certain, that few capacities only can thwarted by teaching these subjects to the embrace these great subjects,-still there mass of their fellow men. are numberless pursuits besides the study of purely intellectual and moral philosophy, which yet refer immediately to man and to his several relations, and which are unquestionably within the comprehension of the most ordinary abilities. The languages, customs, and manners of man, his tempers and propensities, his past condition and present state, furnish abundant materials by which men of moderate endowments

THE importance of education, as a means
of securing national independence, as well
as personal freedom and happiness, is ful- Let us not be understood as undervalu-
ly established. The foes as well as the ing the natural and mechanical sciences.
friends of learning act upon the admission It is not denied, that, so far as the knowl-
of the fact. In this country it is probably edge of inferior beings may contribute to
seldom doubted or denied. But though the great end of advancing human improve-
education is by all acknowledged, in gener-ment, and of increasing human happiness,
al terms, to be important, yet is not always
clearly understood, in what particulars the
public is most intimately concerned in the
cause of general instruction; and it may
perhaps be owing to error on this subject,
that the efforts made for the diffusion of
knowledge have, in some parts of our coun-
try, availed so little towards forming a
right national spirit, and building up a na-
tional character.

It was a part of the policy of the dark ages, and is the policy of dark minds in this age, to confine the pursuits of scholars to a few unimportant branches of knowledge; to engage them in endless and aimless disputes on subjects wholly beyond the reach of the human mind, or in trifling inquiries into matters beneath its notice and degrading to its dignity. By thus divert

As

vidual interest on the other. Ages past
have witnessed all the engines which des-
potic ingenuity could invent, levelled by
particular states against the freedom of
thought and expression. But the same en-
gines are now taking a wider range.
we have read the histories of nations, we
have been diverted, or amazed, or disgust-
ed with the games of fearful hazard which
rulers have undertaken to play with their
respective vassals. We have often enough
read of the assumption by sovereigns of the
right to the entire disposal of the lives and
fortunes of subjects, and we have even seen
the brightest parts and learning prostituted
to the vile purpose of strengthening in
monarchs, the vain and impious conceit
that God had not raised up a king for his
people,—but a people for his king. But it
was reserved for the present century to
witness a simultaneous effort of the most
powerful rulers of the earth, to impose or

to their unhallowed and fearful proceedings is reconcilable with reason with justice.
can be superfluous.
In the old world old creeds and formalities,
framed in semibarbarous ages for the un-
hesitating adoption of ignorance, have still
a deep hold on the consciences of the cred-
ulous multitude; and men are thus induced,
for conscience' sake, to maintain as true
what in their consciences they know to be
false. In the new, every man possesses,
and every independent, reflecting man as-
serts, his right to keep his own conscience,
form his own creed, and make up his own
private judgment in every matter resting
between himself and his God.

If we have such duties to perform, such rights to maintain, such social interests to promote, then surely some subjects of study more noble, more manly, more liberal, less sordid and less sensual (we use the word in its original meaning) are demanded in expanding the intellectual powers of American citizens, than are required to fit, for mere personal thrift, the automata who crouch to the European dynasties.

MORAL GOODNESS ESSENTIAL TO THE HIGH

the whole civilized world at once, the acknowledgment of this monstrous and preposterous doctrine. Nor is there, in the To oppose these arrogant pretensions, present case, the shadow of a decent re-this systematic and bold violence, not only spect for the common sense of mankind, in all the pecuniary resources and physical those who thus set at nought the rights of energies, all the learning of scholars and the governed. With an impudent effron- the talents of authors, must be thrown into tery, unparalleled in the annals even of the scale of reason and liberality;-but the their unblushing race, the despots of this enlightened opinions of an intelligent comage denounce the best of men, the wisest munity, whose influence is so appalling to of institutions, and the clearest of princi- treachery and perfidy;-the thoughts and ples, as dangerous to the happiness of man. feelings, the approbation or detestation of kind! Every machine, as well of corrup- united nations, whose sway despots themtion as of coercion, is to be put in motion selves acknowledge, while they quail beby those pious confederates. Every effort neath the moral sublimity of characters of the intelligent and independent, to main- which they cannot resemble, all must take tain the maxim that self-government is the part in sustaining the cause of justice, huright of the people, will but draw closer manity, and civilization. With reference and closer the bonds of union between the to this state of things, the education of princes who are in league for the suppress- men in all those matters that concern huion of this principle. man life and actions, that relate to duties Indeed if the balance of power was ever and interests, that refer to the experience seriously threatened, it is so at this mo- of past ages, or may beneficially affect the ment;-not the balance of power between moral and political condition of future a Charles and a Francis, a George and a times, is of incalculable importance. But Louis, or a Napoleon and an Alexander, if momentous in all countries, and under but between a band of arrogant pretenders every form of government, then how much EST EXCELLENCE OF POETRY. to authority, their dependents and parasites more indispensable must it be in this, to on the one hand, and the millions of man- purify the fountains of public opinion; to Too much of what is most admired as kind, embracing all that is noble and digni- cherish in our institutions of learning a poetry, in all ages, forces us to insist on a fied in morals and intellect on the other;- growth of manly sentiments and of just distinction between what merely shows the the balance of power between sober, en- opinions on every subject relating to man. richness of the poet's fancy and his posses lightened public opinion, resting on the The differences in condition and duties, be- sion of true poetical power. We maintain foundation of philosophy;-and the detest-tween Europeans and Americans call for a that the object of poetry, as well as of all othable and rotten prejudices of a benighted corresponding superiority of intellectual er arts, is to give pleasure and do good to man. age, supported by the authority of the bayo-culture on the part of the latter. In the The poet, who writes however skilfully on net. The Turk is by no means the only foe former, either total ignorance or at best topics or in a style calculated to corrupt the to civilization that humanity has now to but a confined and mechanical education, reader's heart; the sculptor, who makes a dread in her efforts at improvement and for a great majority of the people, is per- marble statue, displaying the greatest per happiness. The crusade is no longer that fection of sculpture, but exhibiting a loath of Christian against Mahometan, but of some object; the painter, who prostitutes Christian against Christian. It is no more the most masterly pencil to base, mean, and a war of extermination against Saracens, wicked representations, have all shown but of proscription against-liberals; no themselves respectively to be not merely delonger a struggle for the possession of the fective in moral goodness, but unacquainted Holy Sepulchre, but for the maintenance of with the first secret of their art. They the Holy Alliance,—that sacred combinahave committed the same error, which an tion for perpetuating the blessings of bar-ous ramifications. architect would do, who should construct a barism. The first steps which mark the Men here claim to be free from all re- temple with a lofty dome in noble propor progress of this formidable conspiracy in straints of mere authority, in matters spec- tions, but in such a manner that the first every land where it gains a footing, are ulative as well as practical; to possess not time the sanctuary was thrown open, its such as might readily be anticipated from the permission, but the prerogative, to in-walls would fall and crush a thousand men. a knowledge of its composition and charac-vestigate the foundations of society and of Were this want of skill, he would be pur ter; the silencing of deliberative assem- all its institutions. In most regions on the sued as an impostor; were it intentional, as blies, the shackling of the press, the sup- other side of the Atlantic, the legitimacy a monster. pression of free genius, and the prohibition of one family as incumbents, in the su- In poetry, as in the two other arts usualof foreign literature, the closing of Uni- preme offices of state, is, practically at ly named with it, and as in eloquence, versities, the discouragement of general least, admitted. On these shores the origi- which in many respects resembles it, we education, the abolition of all institutions nal inherent equality of men, and the right hold, that purity of feeling and goodness of which teach the true equality of men, and of the humblest individual, if possessed of design are of the essence of the art; and the denunciation of liberal principles on talents and virtue, to aspire to the highest that he who wants them, wants, not somewhatever subject and wherever extended. distinctions, are points as undisputed in thing better than the talent to awaken adI well know, it may be thought needless to theory as they are familiar in practice. miration, but wants the talent to awaken write of facts so well known as these are There the usages of the land, whatever the highest poetical admiration. We know in this country. But it is not needless and they may be, and on whatever flagrant that whenever critic or moralist begins to ought not to be useless. Degraded will be abuses engrafted, are esteemed sufficient touch upon the duty of poets to serve the our character and dark will be our pros- warrants to authorize the continuance of cause of goodness, and undertakes to point pects, when the doings and purposes of the most oppressive burdens, the most griev-his artillery against licentious poetry; the the banded legitimates of Europe are not ous violations of right, and the most palpa-offending bards are apt to sneer or smile at watched with ceaseless and jealous scruti- ble perversions of common sense. Here, what is said, as a sort of official cant of cusny. Let the tale of their folly or their it is not enough to adduce the naked fact, tomary ethics. villany be thrice or ten times told, it ought that our fathers followed this or that cusnot to be a dull one; scarce any reference tom; we must show that the custom itself

fectly consistent with the performance of
all the duties of submissive and profitable
vassals; in the latter the exercise of civil
functions is in some degree incumbent on
every citizen; duties are imposed on them
which are not to be successfully discharged
without an intimate acquaintance with the
principles of human conduct in their vari-

We do not, however, wish to fall into this strain, though we take it there is such a thing as virtue, notwith

* standing the exclamation of Brutus to the though the mightiest spring in the engine,
contrary; and though we regard it as with which he heaves the mass of society;
equally certain that, if there be such a he must acquire it by other discipline than
*thing, it is good to promote and bad to re- that of his books or his masters. The
sist and discourage it; and that it is not same may be said of goodness as a part of
- necessarily mere cant to maintain these the art of poetry; it belongs to the art, but
propositions. This we hold to be just; but cannot be taught from its canons.
we would say something a little different
We should not be at all afraid to go through
here, viz. that on philosophical principles a the history of poetry, from its dawn on the
good spirit and good feelings are essential lonian coast down to the present day, in
to poetry, as an art; they belong to it tech-order to find, from an induction of all the
nically: they are essential to its greatest case, a confirmation of these views. We
possible excellence; that, though poetry is believe that, in almost every instance, the
not good in proportion as it shows them, it character of the poet will appear to have
is bad in proportion as it shows the want of been reflected in his works, and that the
them; and this, not morally but critically tone of his works will afford an indication
speaking. It is these, which unlock the of his character. It is true there will be
fountain of tears, cause the blood to thrill, some difficult cases in the application of
and the flesh to creep with delight,-which this rule. But it must be remembered that
make the heart beat quick with a thousand both poetical excellence and moral charac-
varied emotions; and these are the highest ter are extremely complex ideas; and that
effects of poetry and eloquence.
opposite and apparently inconsistent traits
may exist both in the life and in the verse.
To apply these reflections to a parallel
case: we consider the moral character of
the Waverley novels, though far from being
of one uniform and unspotted excellence,
yet as proof positive against the silly para-
dox, which, in defiance of the strongest in-
ternal evidence, and in contradiction to the
otherwise unanimous voice of Europe and
America, pretends to attribute the portraits
of Flora McIvor, Jeanie Deans, Rebecca,
and all the other amiable conceptions of
romantic or suffering goodness, to an unheard
of wretch of a Dr Greenfield, driven from
society for infamous crimes.

of these effects.

It is true, bad men may write poetry, which, in some degree, will produce some But then bad men are not totally bad; few-none are so bad, as not to possess some of the purest and best feelings. Honor, in some sense or other, love of parents and of children, admiration of courage, of disinterestedness; susceptibility of being won, soothed, and disarmed by unwearied, patient, long-suffering tenderness and care;-these exist in almost every one likely to be applauded as a poet. On these strong, deep virtues, much of what is pathetic in poetry might rest.

Again, when we admire as poetry what is notoriously vicious and bad, we often admire nothing but wit; and wit and poetry are very different things. We suspect this to be the attractive quality in most of the licentious poetry, which, in past and present days, has gained a high reputation in the world. Now, though poetry is used in such a wide acceptation, in common parlance, that wit in verse would be included under it, yet certainly it is not poetry in any strict sense of terms. We are perfectly willing it should be called so; nor do we aim at any prudish nicety in the use of language. But we only protest against the attempt to prove that poetry may be licentious, because wit may be.

This is no new doctrine in principle, for the ancient schools of rhetoric taught that "none but a good man could be an orator," that is, a perfect orator. There may be much fine speaking, graceful gesture, ingenious argument, and extensive learning, without moral goodness. And these go very far toward the composition of an orator; especially where the mass of the auditors may be no better than he who addresses them. But still it is true that all these qualities would appear to greater advanLage and produce greater effect, if they were moved and inspired by a strong sense of sterling conscious worth. The reason why, in schools of oratory, less may be said on this point-or would be said if we had any such schools-is, that goodness is a thing beyond the schools to teach. Though a part of the orator's apparatus of power,

To hide their windings. Thou shalt gaze, at once,
Here on white villages and tilth and herds
That only hear the torrent and the wind
And swarming roads, and there on solitudes
And eagle's shriek. There is a precipice
That seems a fragment of some mighty wall
Built by the hand that fashioned the old world
To separate its nations, and thrown down
When the flood drowned them. To the north a
Conducts you up the narrow battlement.
path
Steep is the western side, shaggy and wild
With mossy trees, and pinnacles of flint,
And many a hanging crag. But, to the east,
Sheer to the vale go down the bare old cliffs,-
Their weather-beaten capitals, here dark
Huge pillars, that in middle heaven upbear
With the thick moss of centuries, and there
Of chalky whiteness where the thunderbolt

wall,

Has splintered them. It is a fearful thing
To stand upon the beetling verge, and see
Where storm and lightning, from that huge gray
Have tumbled down vast blocks, and at the base
Dashed them in fragments, and to lay thine ear
Over the dizzy depth, and hear the sound
Of winds that struggle with the woods below
Is lovely round; a beautiful river there
Come up like ocean murmurs. But the scene
Wanders amid the fresh and fertile meads,
The paradise he made unto himself,
Mining the soil for ages. On each side
The fields swell upward to the hills; beyond,
Above the hills, in the blue distance, rise
The mighty columns with which earth props

heaven.

There is a tale about these gray old rocks,
A sad tradition of unhappy love
And sorrows borne and ended, long ago,
When over these fair vales the savage sought
His game in the thick woods. There was a maid,
The fairest of the Indian maids, bright-eyed,
With wealth of raven tresses, a light form,
And a gay heart. About her cabin door
The wide old woods resounded with her song
And fairy laughter all the summer day.
By the morality of those stern tribes,
She loved her cousin; such a love was deemed
Incestuous, and she struggled hard and long
Against her love, and reasoned with her heart
As simple Indian maiden might. In vain.
Then her eye lost its lustre and her step
Its lightness, and the gray old men that passed
The accustomed song and laugh of her, whose
Her dwelling, wondered that they heard no more

looks

Were like the cheerful smile of Spring, they said,
Upon the Winter of their age. She went
To weep where no eye saw, and was not found
And all the hunters of the tribe were out;
When all the merry girls were met to dance,
Nor when they gathered from the rustling husk
The shining ear, nor when, by the river side,
They pulled the grape and startled the wild shades
With sounds of mirth. The keen-eyed Indian

dames
Would whisper to each other, as they saw
Her wasting form, and say, The girl will die.
One day into the bosom of a friend,

A playmate of her young and innocent years,
She poured her griefs. Thou know'st, and thou

alone,

She said, for I have told thee, all my love
And guilt and sorrow. I am sick of life.
All night I weep in darkness, and the morn
Glares on me, as upon a thing accurst
That has no business on the earth. I hate
The pastimes and the pleasant toils that once
I loved; the cheerful voices of my friends
Have an unnatural horror in mine ear.
In dreams my mother, from the land of souls,
Calls me and chides me. All that look on me
Do seem to know my shame; I cannot bear
Their eyes; I cannot from my heart root out
The love that wrings it so, and I must die.

It was a Summer morning and they went
To this old precipice. About the cliffs
Lay garlands, ears of maize, and skins of wolf
And shaggy bear, the offerings of the tribe
Here made to the Great Spirit, for they deemed,
Like worshippers of the elder time, that God
Doth walk on the high places and affect
The earth-o'erlooking mountains. She had on
The ornaments with which the father loved
To deck the beauty of his bright-eyed girl,
And bade her wear when stranger warriors came
To be his guests. Here the friends sat them down,
And sung, all day, old songs of love and death,
And decked the poor wan victim's hair with flowers,
And prayed that safe and swift might be her way
To the calm world of sunshine, where no grief
Makes the heart heavy and the eyelids red.
Beautiful lay the region of her tribe
Below her-waters resting in the embrace
Of the wide forest, and maize-planted glades
Opening amid the leafy wilderness.