Science has reference to mind: to matter and to mary division into abstract science and natural a first, embracing metaphysics, letters and langua sics, chemistry, physiology, and to which may t or the science of quantity; and the third, cover our complex duties to our God, our country, ou selves in all the relations and responsibilities, i for us to be placed. These primary divisions as to embrace every department of human kn character or description. Again all knowledge is composed of simple standing of their agreements and their disagre er; and every new idea we acquire, and make c unquestionable advance in education. This may homely and familiar way of viewing the arts an ture; but rest assured, it is the only intelligent a way. There is a disposition too prevalent, to ophy, in its enlarged sense, a veil of mystery an ity not belonging to it. It is contemplated by its appearance and complex in its structure, ar longing to a favored few, and beyond the reach It is supposed that opulence and illustrious birt and the smiles of fortune, are indispensable in distinguished as scholars acd statesmen and juri history and circumstances of celebrated individ be different from those of others, as though so and uninterrupted prosperity and superior spir destinies. Think ye, all those eminent men of this and philosophy has enlightened, and whose eloquenc never experienced the vicissitudes and trials Think ye, their course from childhood to the gr by cloudless sky and balmy breeze? Have st rock and billow, never shattered their tiny barks various countries, and at different periods of time; and whose genius and scholarship have contributed so essentially to the improvement and happiness of our race; and see if theirs was a life of affluence and sunshine, or of trial and vicissitude, if I am not exceedingly mistaken, we would find that very many of the most beloved and honored and gifted of men, have suffered with an intensity almost inconceivable; have struggled with difficulties, which would appeal and overwhelm the mass of mankind, and have emerged from an obscurity and a poverty, that had they been ours, would have crushed forever our wavering resolutions and half developed energies. We would learn further, that dazzling genius and fertile imagination have less to do with eminence and solid acquirement, than an iron resolution and indomitable perseverance. These belong to all; are within the reach of all, and are indispensable to, and inseparable companions of all intellectual greatness. The corruscations of genius may startle by their brilliancy, and the creations of faney compel our admiration, yet their existence is brief and evanescent unless they are supplied at the living fountains of knowledge by the untiring hand of industry. A narration of the early difficulties and struggles of eminent men in the pursuits of learning, and in their career to honor and renown, would furnish a truly rich and valuable lesson. The field of observation is an extensive one, replete with interesting examples, and furnishing powerful motives of encouragement to all. If our youth would bestow a few moments of serious thought, upon their own social position, their multiplied means of improvement, the numerous advantages they possess, and the respectable talents with which they are endowed, I think, they would avail themselves of every occasion and opportunity to devote themselves in the scale of intelligence. If our young men would diligently and earnestly cultivate all their mental powers, they would become respected, enlightened, and honored. If they would avoid scenes of dissipation, trifling conversation, and the formation of vicious habits; and by a judicious distribution of their time, and an unbroken determination, pursue a fixed and systematic course of instruction, they must and would ultimately rise to usefulness, eminence and great learning. Every man, I care not what may be your situation, your age, your poverty, your associations, if you are true to your own powers, true to your country, true to your best interest, true to the cause of humanity, true to your own highest happiness, true to the genuine impulses and immortal responses of your own soul; you can rise above the mists of ignorance and prejudice to the bright, upper sky of philosophy and public usefulness. Though the morning of your life be dark and gloomy, full of crushing dispair and perilous trial, yet its noon will become clear and beautiful, and the evening of your days will be bathed in the gorgeous splendors of an unbounded sun whose rays will illume your path with honor and glory. The poet has beautifully alluded to the stern energy required for success and distinction in life. "Thus at the flaming forge of life, The examples furnsshed in the lives of distinguished persons will also prove highly interesting to the pale and thoughtful student, whose brow is lined with the deep traces of mental toil; whose days present one unbroken scene of conflict, and whose nights are consumed in silent secret, yet eloquent converse with the illustrious dead; they will cheer him on, and buoy him up in his trying journey, stimulate his jaded energies to renewed exertion, and present to him in distant prospect the noble rewards that will crown his efforts. Young man, "Look not mournfully into the past, it comes not again. Wisely improve the present, it is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future, without fear and with a manly heart." And In the pursuit of learning, it will be well to inquire, what studies hold a superior claim upon our attention. The departments of knowledge are so numerous, and their details so nice and diversified, that it is impossible for any one mind to master all; and indeed among the large mass of the people a few only can be properly explored and comprehended. On this branch of my subject I can only refer to a few subjects of study which appear to me to be invested with a more prominent and practical importance than others. A first leading principle would seem to be to pay particular attention to that branch of knowledge most intimately connected with our condition and pursuits in life. That which relates to our business or profession is invested with a pervading and practical importance. It not only affects deeply our respectability in life, but involves largely our competent discharge of duty. By adopting a business or profession, we hold ourselves out to the world as qualified in every respect for its faithful and intelligent discharge, and upon which presumption and reasonable expectation of ability and skill, axtensive and delicate interests are intrusted to our care: interests, perhaps, which involve the fortunes, the reputation, the lives and the happiness of others. To possess imperfect attainments here, or to be negligent in the study and mastering of the art and science of our calling, evidences a wanton disregard of our own highest interests and of the most serious duties of life. To be respectable in our profession, deserves no particular praise; for it involves a simple, plain, practical discharge of duty; to be unqualified in our profession and interpose no efforts to redeem ourselves from our position, manifests gross neglect, and is deserving the most severe and unqualified animadversion. We ought then, by all means, and at every sacrifice, to master our business, understand its philosophy, study its history, and become familiar with its art and mystery. This is indispensable to our respectability, prosperity and happiness. Self-respect and all laudable ambition will be destroyed, unless we lay, the foundations of our success in life, broad and deep, in a thorough appreciation of its principles end practice I would therefore urge most earnestly upon every young man, whatever may be his calling in life, whether mechanical or commercial, professional or agricultural, to learn well and study deeply that calling, investigate its reasons and elements, and master all its departments and difficulties. He will thus experience a pride and consciousness of ability and mental wealth, that will inspire him with confidence and enable him to command the sincere respect and esteem of others. Another very essential branch of education is the study of the history of our country and its civil and political institutions. In a Republic like ours, where every citizen possesses political rights and influence, which may be exercised for the honor or disgrace of his country, the necessity of political information and a thorough comprehension of the organization and purpose and end of government, cannot be too profoundly or earnestly impressed. No education can be valuable or complete without this. The history of our republic extends over a very brief period of time, but it is rich in heroic achievement, replete with sound political philosophy, and enters deeply into the whole structure of government and the rights of man. In the annals of no nation, have the nature and obligation of the social compact been so searchingly discussed, and the true institution and design of civil society so fearlessly canvassed and accurately defined, as in our own. The bold and manly doctrines avowed by the colonies in their remonstrances to the tyrannical aggressions of Great Britain, the learned and elaborate expositions of government by the revolutionary fathers on the adoption of the articles of confedeation, and the most comprehensive, accurate and exhausting investigations, which the nature and structure, the institution and purpose of all human government underwent on the framing and acceptance of the federal constitution, furnish lessons full of instruction and wisdom, and are invaluable to the patriot and statesman. No individual can be supposed capable of legislating intelligently for his country, or of participating in the administration of its laws with a profound conviction of his responsibility, unless he has drank deeply of these fountains of knowledge, and imbued his mind with their wisdom and generous spirit. The history of our revolution is replete with illustrations of heroism and devotion to country, not surpassed in that of any other nation. Whatever adorns the human character, whatever sustains human fortitude, whatever consecrates lofty patriotism, whatever emblazens military renown, or whatever evidences sterling virtue and a self-sacrificing, self-sustaining spirit amidst cloud and darkness, is manifested in the history of our struggles and our triumphs in the cause of civil and religious liberty. The story of Grecian valor, and of Roman virtue, is celebrated in verse and in song, the chivalrous deeds of England's heroes and Scotia's kings adorn the pages of their history, and live in the traditions of their people; and the iron discipline and enduring fortitude of Russia's soldiery, have become themes of wonder and admiration. But their struggles were the mere struggles of men for power and of kings for prerogative. Their revolutions were simply to elevate one class of tyrants upon the ruins of another; and their hard fought battles and blood stained fields brought nought of civil freedom and redeemed condition to a suffering people. The soldier poured out his blood and received his pittance and remained a slave; the general with laurels crowned, bent his knee in servile homage before his lord and emperor. But the American revolution gave birth to an enlightened and regulated liberty. It was the offspring of redeemed mind, animated by a sense of its oppression, and conscious of its rights, its powers, and its duties, And the history and result of that revolution illustrate the determined purpose, the unquestionable zeal and the triumphant power of the people. And when the story of Greece and Rome shall be forgotten, the achievements of England and of Scotia remain unsung, and the crushing despotism of the haughty Muscovite be only remembered in the legends of tradition; the illustrious and beloved name of Washington, and the gallant deeds of the other heroes; of the revolution will be lisped by every tongue, and heard in every clime. And the battle-fields of our own country, and of wild, romantic Switzerland, and of poor, degraded Poland, and of heroic, generous, betrayed Hungary, now prostrate beneath the weight of the imperial empire; when the blood of the martyrs in the cause of liberty was shed, and their last expiring groans were heard, will become sacred spots dear to the heart and hallowed in the memory of every free man. Let us then study most thoroughly, and love most devotedly our country. Let a knowledge of her institutions rank equal with her household gods. Let us teach our children to repeat the tale of her birth and the vicissitudes of her sufferings, and let their young and pliant minds be impressed with a sense of the value of their civil and social privileges. And that country so dear to us, securing so many blessings, preserving so many precious rights, and cherishing so many anxious hopes, may her union be eternal; not a star striken out, not a stripe torn; her flag unfurled to the winds of heaven, and floating in peace and in triumph-now and forever, over a free, a united and a prosperous people. In this connection, I would urge the propriety of the study of civil liberty as illustrated in the history of the past. It will warm our love of country, and teach us the value and use of freedom. It will enlighten and liberalize our minds, and enlist our sympathies and our hopes in behalf of suffering humanity. I would also most earnestly commend to the most attentive consideration of the enlightened youth the study of the moral sciences. They instruct us in the nature and value of our domestic and social relations, and the rights and duties springing therefrom. We ought to remember that in the exercise of our rights, and in the performance of our duties, we will frequently come in conflict with others, who also have rights to be exercised and duties to be performed. And it becomes a matter of serious reflection and of conscience with us to respect those rights, and not do violence to those duties. We ought likewise to respect the opinions and feelings of those with whom we may have intercourse, however they may conflict with our own, for we all know the infirmities of our nature, the fallibility of our judgments, and the mutual dependence that exists among us. If we are fixed in our opinions, and indignantly reject injury to our feelings, so are others equally fixed in their opinions, and sensitive in their feelings. And God has transferred to no man the right to pass judgment upon me, or to pronounce an idle sentence of condemnation upon any |