Or, prying with most curious eye
Into dark hollows, to descry
Some robber haunt or hidden grot,
Where haply it might be my lot,
Like Alla-Ad-Deen, to find a treasure
Of gems and jewels without measure.
But what a change is wrought since then!
I've mingled with the world and men,
Who scoff at boyhood's guiltless joys,
Yet scorn them but for greater toys.
Well-let them mar their health for fame,
And waste their days, to gain a name,
Built on the rabble's wretched praise,
Whose voice awhile may sink or raise,
But cannot rescue from the lot
Old Time, the despot, hath assigned
Impartially to all earth's kind.
Such record vain I envy not,

Nor burn with mightier men to mate--
The followers of a fiercer fate,
Who trample on all human good
To win awards least understood.
Such is renown reaped with the sword-
Such glory! Empty, fatal word,
That lures men on through fire and flood--
Through scenes of rapine, crime and blood,
To write in history's page, a tale,

O'er which their fellow man grows pale.
Could half the tears they cause to flow
Bedew that page-how few could read
The blotted record of each deed,
Which laid the brave by thousands low
And broke more living hearts with wo,
That ONE might be what good men hate,
And fools and knaves miscal "THE GREAT."

and we concur entirely with the President in the opinion, that one of the objects of education is to develop the intellectual aptitudes and moral qualities, and that these when developed, should entirely control the preference or choice of a profession. Not that if these aptitudes and qualities when manifested, should point in an evil direction, they should therefore be indulged. By no means. The primary object of education should be— the highest development of morals and intellect. In the pursuit of this great object however, if the course of instruction is rightly ordered, the predominant aptitudes and qualities will appear-and then is the time for the judicious parent or guardian to co-operate with the wise indications of nature.

In conformity to this view of the subject, the President urges the choice of such studies in a collegiate course, as have a tendency to enlarge, invigorate and discipline the mind. To the mathematics he assigns a high rank. "They habituate the mind to protracted and difficult efforts of attention, and to clear and lively perception of truth, and at the same time furnish it with principles and facts of inestimable value in many of the departments of useful industry and philosophical research."

Nor does he attach less importance to the study of the Greek and Roman languages. In the opinion of President Olin they "give useful employment to the intellectual faculties at a period when they are incompetent to more abstract and severe occupations. They call up the attention to such short and easy, but repeated efforts, as are best calculated to correct its wanderings and increase its energies. The mind is accustomed to analysis and comparison, and its powers of discrimination are improved by frequent exercises in declension, inflexion and derivation, and by the constant necessity that is imposed upon it, of deciding between the claims of rival definitions. The memory is engaged in the performance of such tasks as are precisely fitted for its development, and the judgment and other reasoning faculties find ample and invigorating employment in the application of grammatical rules, and the investigation of philological principles." We wish we had space for the whole of Mr. Olin's remarks upon classical learning. He considers the growing scepticism in reference to its utility and importance as an evil omen.

Next to pure and mixed mathematics and the learned languages, the President is inclined to give a place to intellectual philosophy. "It familiarises the student with the laws and the phenomena of mind, and with such efforts of subtle analysis and difficult combination as are best fitted to enlarge and fill the grasp of the

RANDOLPH-MACON College is a new institution, in Mecklenburg county, Virginia; and President Olin, we believe, is a late comer into the state: at least we are so ignorant as not to have heard of him before. If we are permitted to judge from the "inaugural address," we congratulate the commonwealth upon the acquisition of an instructor of solid endowments, sound practical views, and elegant taste. He treats the subject of education like one who had thoroughly master-highest intellectual capacities." He also recommends as ed the philosophy upon which it is founded-and who evidently prefers to be guided by the safe lights of experience, rather than by the specious but uncertain theories which acquire a transient popularity-but which cannot bear the test of sound investigation and analysis. President Olin, we think, combats with effect a very popular error, to wit: that education ought to be so directed as to subserve a particular profession or pursuit; in other words, that the profession or pursuit of a young man ought to be previously selected, and the course of instruction made to conform accordingly. Now nothing, in our view, can be more preposterous;

subordinate, but highly important studies—composition and eloquence-moral and natural philosophy-chemistry-the French language-and geology and mineralogy.

Mr. Olin opposes with much force the excessive multiplication of studies without a correspondent prolongation of the collegiate term. "The industry which was profitably directed to a few, may be divided amongst a multitude of objects; but it will incur the inevitable penalty of fitful and dissipated intellectual exertion-superficial attainments and vicious intellectual habits." In what is denominated the art of educa

tion, the President is not inclined to set as high a value | The interesting moralities of the domestic relations-upon the lecture system as upon the mode of frequent the laws of marriage and divorce--the mutual obligarecitations from well digested text books. From the tions of parents and children--are all borrowed from the christian scriptures. The fears of the vicious and history of the two universities, and of the literature of the hopes of the upright-the profane ribaldry of the Scotland and England for the last century, he is led to profligate, no less than the humble thanksgiving of the draw the conclusion that the "lecture system is more morning and evening sacrifice, do homage to the gos favorable to the improvement of the professor, and the pel as the religion of the American people. Our eloreputation of the university-whilst the opposite me-quence and our poetry--our periodical and popular literature in all their varieties--the novel, the tale, the thod has been more productive of thorough and accomballad, the play, all make their appeal to the deep senplished scholars." timents of religion that pervade the popular bosom. Upon the subject of moral restraint and college dis-Christianity is our birthright. It is the richest inheritcipline, Mr. Olin is forcible and interesting. With a ance bequeathed us by our noble fathers. It is minmind well organized for the clear perception of truth, gled in our hearts with all the fountains of sentiment and of faith. And are the guardians of public educawe take the President to be fearless in proclaiming his tion alone 'halting between two opinions? Do they convictions, without stopping to calculate the strength think that in fact, and for practical purposes, the truth of opposing prejudices and opinions. He does not of christianity is still a debateable question? Is it still hesitate to come up boldly to the mark, and to advocate a question whether the generations yet to rise up and the only rational system by which our erring nature, the representatives of our name, our freedom and our the wide domains of this great empire-to be and especially our youthful nature, can be brought to glory, before the nations of the earth, shall be a chrisa just sense of what is due to its own interests, as well tian or an infidel people? Can wise and practical men as to the requirements of society. Upon this subject, who are engaged in rearing up a temple of learning to however, we prefer that the President should speak for form the character and destinies of their posterity, for a moment hesitate to make 'Jesus Christ the chief corner stone?""

himself.

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"In proportion as virtue is more valuable than knowIt is not to be supposed, however, that Mr. Olin is in ledge, pure and enlightened morality will be regarded by every considerate father the highest recommenda- favor of subjecting our public seminaries to the control tion of a literary institution. The youth is withdrawn of any particular religious denomination, or that the faith from the salutary restraints of parental influence and of the student is either to be influenced or regulated by authority, and committed to other guardians, at a time sectarian views. On the contrary, he considers that such of life most decisive of his prospects and destinies. The period devoted to education usually impresses its a course would be a manifest violation of the principles own character upon all his future history. Vigilant of free government. His remarks upon the internal supervision, employment, and seclusion from all facili-discipline of a college are sound and excellent. He is ties and temptations to vice, are the ordinary and es- decidedly opposed to that "multitude of vexatious sential securities which every institution of learning is enactments," and those frivolous and arbitrary regulabound to provide for the sacred interests which are committed to its charge. But safeguards and negative tions which too often disgrace our seats of learning. provisions are not sufficient. The tendencies of our In the administration of such wise and salutary laws, nature are retrograde, and they call for the interposi- however, as experience has proved to be necessary, Pretion of positive remedial influences. The most perfect sident Olin refers to the co-operation of parents and human society speedily degenerates, if the active agen-guardians as absolutely essential. We wish that concies which were employed in its elevation are once withdrawn or suspended. What then can be expected of inexperienced youth, sent forth from the pure atmosphere of domestic piety, and left to the single support of its own untested and unsettled principles, in the midst of circumstances which often prove fatal to the most practised virtue! I frankly confess that I see no safety but in the preaching of the cross, and in a clear and unfaltering exhibition of the doctrines and sanctions of christianity. The beauty and excellence of virtue are excusable topics, though they must ever be inefficient motives, with those who reject the authority of revelation; but in a christian land, morality divorced from religion, is the emptiest of all the empty names by which a deceitful philosophy has blinded and corrupted the world. I venture to affirm, that this generation has not given birth to another absurdity so monstrous, as that which would exclude from our seminaries of learning the open and vigorous inculcation of the religious faith which is acknowledged by our whole population, and which pervades every one of our free institutions. Our governors and legislators, and all the depositaries of honor and trust, are prohibited from exercising their humblest functions till they have pledged their fidelity to the country upon the holy gospels. The most inconsiderable pecuniary interest is regarded too sacred to be entrusted to the most upright judge or juror, or to the most unsuspected witness, till their integrity has been fortified by an appeal to the high sanctions of christianity. Even the exercise of the elective franchise is usually suspended upon the same condition.

viction on this subject was more general than it is, and that all who are in any wise responsible for the intellectual and moral training of youth, whether at colleges, academies, or private schools, would consider the importance of sustaining, by parental authority, the just and wholesome government of the teacher. A weak or capricious parent, who from false tenderness, countenances the wayward inclinations of a child in opposition to school authority, is not only inflicting upon it irreparable mischief, but is doing equal-injury to others by the encouragement of a bad example.

A DISCOURSE ON THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF WM. WIRT, late Attorney General of the United States; pronounced at the request of the Baltimore Bar before the Citizens of Baltimore, on the 20th of May, 1934, by John P. Kennedy. Baltimore: Wm. & Joseph Neal. 1834.

MR. KENNEDY is favorably known as an eloquent lawyer and literary writer of distinction. The task therefore of delineating the character and genius of Mr. Wirt, could not have been confided to abler hands. We have read his oration with great pleasure; a pleasure it is true, alloyed by the reflection that the country has sustained a bereavement so afflicting and irreparable. There is a mournful satisfaction in recalling the eminent

glorious rewards which should interest the ambition of
genius. He had, however, a large family around him
who depended upon him for protection; and it may be
have lighted the path of mankind with the lamps of
that, surveying the sad history of the gifted spirits who
their own minds and made their race rich with the trea
sures of wisdom and science, he has turned distrustfully
from the yearnings of his ambition, and followed the
fame and wealth.
broader and more certain track that led to professional
whilst I lament over the dispensation of human rule by
I can excuse him for the choice,
which the latter pursuits should have such an advan-
tage.

virtues, and matchless accomplishments of the de- to express my regret that the pursuits of his life had ceased,--in dwelling upon his bright example, and renot been more decidedly applied to literary labors, than tracing the incomparable graces and excellencies which either circumstances or his own choice seem to have adorned his public and private character. Mr. Kenne-ter of his mind, and, I think I am warranted in saying, permitted. He was remarkably qualified by the characdy has touched with the hand of a master, the sad but by his inclination, to attain great distinction in these brilliant theme, and has poured forth in "thoughts that pursuits. A career, in a larger degree, directed to this breathe and words that burn"-a most eloquent tribute end would certainly have been not less honorable to to the memory of one of the brightest and purest persuade myself, not less profitable,--although the conhimself, nor less useful to his country, and, I would fain spirits of the age. Mr. Wirt, though a native of Ma-sideration of gain be but an unworthy stimulant to the ryland, was in truth a Virginian, by all the endearing ties of social and domestic life. He spent the prime of his youth and manhood among us, and it was here in the Metropolis of the Old Dominion, that he reared that enduring fabric of illustrious talent and virtue which placed him first among his equals--and which will long be embalmed in the recollection of his contemporaries. Hundreds in this city, still remember those surpassing triumphs of his genius as an orator and advocate, achieved in the celebrated trial of Burr;--how he depicted in colors glowing and beautiful the enchanting island of Blennerhassett-the misery of his disconsolate "As a literary man he would have acquired a more wife—and the wiles of that evil genius who entered the permanent renown than the nature of professional ocParadise of the Ohio, and withered forever its enjoy-conferring upon their votaries. The pen of genius cupation or the exercises of the forum are capable of ments. Hundreds here and elsewhere have hung with erects its own everlasting monument; but the triumphs ecstasy over the rich pages of the "British Spy" and of the speaker's eloquence, vivid, brilliant and splendid "Old Batchelor"--have listened to the magic of his voice as they are, live but in the history of their uncertain both in public and colloquial discourse-and have been effects and in the intoxicating applause of the day :— constant eyewitnesses of the "daily beauty" and sub-the extravagant boasting of an elder age prone by its to incredulous posterity they are distrusted tradition, lime morality of his life. Proudly and sacredly how-nature to disparage the present by the narrated glories ever as his native and adopted states ought to cherish his memory-the fame of such a man as Wirt, must be regarded as the property of the whole nation. His great and commanding genius illustrated and adorned the age and country in which he lived, and thousands

and tens of thousands of American bosoms have exulted at the thought that he was their countryman.

In one respect especially, Mr. Wirt was an uncom

of the past. So has it, even now, befallen the name of Patrick Henry, whom not all his affectionate biographer's learned zeal has rescued from the unbelieving lives more conspicuously in his written philosophy than smile of but a second generation. The glory of Cicero even in his speeches, which, although transmitted by his own elaborate and polished hand, may rather be assigned to his literary than to his forensic fame.

"Mr. Wirt had many inducements to the cultivation mon man. Most persons distinguished for their moral this country, almost without a rival. Our nation, of letters. He might have entered upon the field, in and intellectual qualities, have at some time or other, young in the career of liberal arts, had but few names been the objects of illiberal censure. Greatness is to reckon when asked, as she has sometimes been in almost invariably the mark of envy, and envy gives derision, where were the evidences of her scholarship. birth to detraction. The deceased however, it is be-Her pride would have pointed to a man like William lieved, lived and died without an enemy. His manners and philosophical mind, acute and clear-sighted, was Wirt with a peculiar complacency. His comprehensive were so bland and gentle-his purposes so pure--and well adapted to master the truths of science: it was his life so blameless--that even malice had no nourish-fruitful and imaginative and full of beautiful illustrament left whereon to feed. In the language of Mr. tion. He had wit and humor of the highest flavor, Kennedy "he possessed, in a remarkable degree, that combined with a quick and accurate observation of trait which has been called simplicity of heart-it was the harmony and truth of nature: his full memory furcharacter: his taste, sensitive and refined, delighted in single mindedness, straight forward candor. His man-nished him abundant stores of learning: his style, rich ners had the wayward playfulness of a boy, that won upon, and infected with their own buoyancy every class of his associates, from the youngest to the oldest from the humblest retainer about his person, or casual stranger, to the most eminent and most intimate."

In analyzing the intellectual qualities of the deceased, Mr. Kennedy is inclined to the opinion, that powerful as was his legal acumen, and almost unsurpassed his eloquence, yet, that if circumstances had permitted an exclusive devotion to literary pursuits, his fame might have become still more brilliant. We cannot forbear to extract from the oration, the whole passage which illustrates this idea.

"In taking this survey of the chief productions of Mr. Wirt's pen, I am tempted to pause for a moment, VOL. 1.-3

and clear, like a fountain of sparkling waters played along a channel of golden sands and bright crystals and through meads begirt with flowers. Above all, the tendency of his mind was to usefulness: he indited no thought that did not serve to inculcate virtuous sentiments, noble pursuits, love of country, the value of generous and laudable ambition, trust in Heaven, or carnest attachment to duty. He has embellished and vivified the grave experience of age with all the warm the most severe and self-denying devotion to purposes enthusiasm of youth, and has taught his countrymen of good, in lessons of so amiable a tone, as to win many a young champion to virtue by the kindness of his persuasion. His sketches of character are pleasantly graphic, and leave us room to believe that, either, in the drama or in that species of fictitious history which the great enchanter of this age has made so popular a vehicle for profound philosophy, he would have attained to an exalted fame. In short, there are