NOVEMBER 4th. *** Why is it that the general intercourse of society is so unprofitable and uninteresting? I believe it is occasionally owing, in a great measure, to an excessive regard for something miscalled propriety; more frequently, perhaps, it results from a want of tact in introducing subjects of conversation; but still oftener, it arises from a want of toleration for the opinions and prejudices of others. *** I do not like people who never contradict me--but I think the state of society would be wonderfully improved, if all would learn to contradict mildly, if none would resent a difference of opinion as if it were really a personal insult. November 5th.*** There are times when we feel happy and are conscious of it. There are other times, much more delightful, when we are too happy to think that we are so; and it is not until some time afterwards that we can reflect on the enjoyment of such periods. *** The deep meaning of truths that we have long known and believed, comes over us at times with startling vividness. Then, the transient and the earthly fade away into their true insignificance; the spirit. ual and the eternal rise to their just importance, in our view. We feel, at such moments, that the invisible is more real than the things that are seen; we catch a glimpse of things as they are. 66 November 6th. **** November 7th. *** L. E. L." and some others say that it is not well to let our best friends know how much we are attached to them, how greatly our happiness depends on them. But, when our friendship for any individual with whom we are in the habit of associating intimately is very strong, I do not think it either possible or desirable to conceal it; and moreover, such things are not to be made a matter of calculation. *** How much we need to exercise daily a thoughtful regard for the feelings of others. Where this exists not-and sometimes, indeed, where it does exist "Many a shaft, at random sent, Finds aim the archer never meant ; And many a word, at random spoken, May wound or heal a heart that's broken." November 8th. *** Would we but keep the heart awake to all holy and blessed influences, whether from nature, from human life, or from above, and the intellect open to the reception of truth from every quarter, oh! what a temple of love and adoration, of knowledge and wisdom, of holiness and happiness, would the mind become. There would be light within, and no darkness. "Joy and gladness would be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody." Then would the mind know something of its high capacity, and glorious destiny; then would the spirit of man again be one with the God from whom it emanated. November 9th. Have you read Silvio Pellico's "Prisons"? It is a good book to cure misanthropy. Mrs. Hemans speaks of it very beautifully, in two or three of the letters published in her " Memorials. one of these letters, she says-"How beautiful a picture is presented, by the gradual expansion of the sufferer's mind, under all its fiery trials, to more and more all-enduring charity, tenderness, and toleration! I have read it more than once, so powerful has been its effect upon my feelings. When the weary struggle with wrong and injustice leads to such results, I then feel that the fearful mystery of life is solved for me." Those who think that a Catholic cannot be a Christian, ought to read this work. I have heard people say that, although they believed in the piety of some ignorant Catholics, they thought an intelligent Catholic could not be a true Christian. Silvio Pellico is, to say the least, as intelligent as the great majority of educated men; and, if there are persons who can read the story of his sufferings, and mark the fortitude, and meekness, and resignation with which he endured them, and observe the love to God and man, so manifest in his conduct, and so simply and beautifully disclosed (not displayed) in these pages, and, after all, doubt whether such a man is a Christian-if there are such persons, I must own I can have no sympathy with their views of Christian character. I think that the dissemination of works breathing such a spirit as pervades this book, whether written by Catholics or Protestants, will do more for the cause of pure religion than all the "Awful Disclosures" and other Anti-Popery absurdities of this absurd age can ever accomplish. November 10th. *** It is well to do good by means of benevolent associations; but I think there is at present too great a tendency to make these a substitute for individual effort. In nothing is this tendency more manifest than in regard to the relief of the poor. *** I have no patience with the opinion that we should relieve the wants of the well-deserving only. Such a course seems to me most inhuman and unchristian; for I remember the saying of a wise man— "To punish human error, is the province of heaven; to relieve human wants, the duty of man." I remember too that we are commanded to be like our Father in Heaven, who "maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." And if this is not enough, surely the remembrance of our own deserts should keep us from such an unmerciful course. *** Let people say what they will about the ingratitude in the world -for my own part, I believe that if we exert ourselves in the right way to do good to others, we shall, instead of being disposed to complain that our favors are ungratefully received, often have cause to say in the words of my favorite poet A STUDENT'S JOURNAL. "I've heard of hearts unkind, kind deeds Alas! the gratitude of men Hath oftener left me mourning." 51 November 11th.*** Although it be true that those who profess to admire all things alike, never really admire any thing-it is equally true that those who make it their main business in reading, to detect faults, are utterly incapable of appreciating the beauties of a composition. Indiscriminate admiration speaks far better for the intellect, as well as for the heart, than indiscriminate contempt. Many mistake fastidiousness for true taste; but these two things seldom exist together. The counsel that has been given to a religious inquirer-" Never be afraid to doubt, if you are only disposed to believe," may be thus altered, and applied to matters of taste-Never be afraid to find fault, if you are only disposed to admire. *** In order to be profited by the teachings of a great poet, we must come to the study of his works, not as judges to a criminal, but as disciples to a master. We must sit at his feet, and receive his sayings with a faith inspired by love and reverence. "Good will leads to perfect knowledge." If we would learn any thing thoroughly, we must betake ourselves to it with childlike docility. *** In common-place poetry, all that is beautiful lies on the surface, and is apparent at the first reading. In the higher kind of poetry, there is often a depth of meaning that no reader can fathom at once. Such poetry every time we read it, seems clothed with fresh beauty. As we gaze on it intently, it is "transfigured before us." November 12th. If you ever attempt to write a review, after the most approved method, you must take care to observe the two following rules: First, if the author under review differs from you on any important subject, set him down immediately as a man of weak mind and dangerous principles, and prove this to be the case by a string of unconnected passages, taken altogether at random from his book. Secondly, if there is any thing in the book that you do not understand at all, call it mysticism, and devote a page or two of your article to the deification of common sense. Perhaps you will object to this last rule, and remind me that there was once a man named Solomon, who spoke of "the words of the wise and their dark sayings." But, my good friend, have you yet to learn that many have since arisen "greater than Solomon," who assure us that every thing that is not perfectly obvious at once to the dullest intellect, must be mere nonsense? and shall we not receive their testimony in preference to his? Would not Solomon himself, if he were to return to the world, bow with reverent submission to their superior wisdom? November 13th. * * * * November 14th. *** Paul says, in his epistle to the Ephesians, "Children, obey your parents"—but I am told that this is now generally admitted to be a mistake in our Bible. Call at the house of almost any lady who has several small children, and she will prove to you-perhaps not in so many words, but in all her actions-that it should stand thus "Parents, obey your children.”—I am informed, there is soon to be a new version of the Scriptures published, called "The March-of-Mind Bible," in which we shall have the correct reading of this passage, with a corresponding change in the fifth commandment, and various other improvements of a similar nature. E. F. X. HOME. (First published in the New York Observer.) BEHIND yon barren, rocky range, There, no sweet, shaded valleys lie, No crystal brook, in joyous play, Springs murmuring o'er each shining stone, Through verdant glades and arbors lone. No trees in grandeur seek the sky, Or weave their graceful garlands there, Not e'en one flower of tender dye, "Tis all a desert, sad and wild, Of stagnant pools, and bushes low, A lowly hamlet there hath been Its cottages are now decayed, For those who dwelt their walls within Yet, there's a heart, to whom that place I saw him once;-the sudden tear, Quick recollection's trembling start, ECHO AND SILENCE. O'er all the scene, his tearful eye As some dear spirit hung above. At last, words seemed unwilled to come, Home! sure some spirit formed the word, His sweetest spells of power and love. Greenfield High School, June 2, 1830. 53 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NATURE AND ART. FROM THE GERMAN OF CLAUDIUS. THERE was once a European traveling in America, who wished to see a celebrated water-fall in a certain river. For this purpose, he engaged a savage to guide him thither; for the land was as yet uncultivated, and there were no public conveyances. When they had finished their journey and arrived at the water-fall-the European opened his eyes wide, and examined it very closely; and the savage threw himself upon his face, and remained prostrate a long time. His traveling-companion said to him-"Wherefore and for whom, do you that?" And the savage answered-"FOR THE GREAT SPIRIT." ECHO AND SILENCE. (Written Oct., 1782, in the Author's twentieth year.) BY SIR EGERTON BRYDGES. In eddying course when leaves began to fly, As 'mid wild scenes I chanced the Muse to woo, Thro' glens untrod, and woods that frowned on high, Two sleeping nymphs with wonder mute I spy! And, lo, she's gone!—In robe of dark-green hue, 'Twas Echo from her sister Silence flew, For quick the hunter's horn resounded to the sky! |