ed evidence of an understanding strong beyond its of observation and the imagination, and for his years. He is well characterized by Vol-learning languages rather than for disciplintaire, in his succinct sketch of authors, as a ing the reasoning powers, gave him the somegénic prématuré. It is, however, certain that what inaccurate definition, that "Geometry the evils which often arise from such unhappy is the science which teaches the method of precocity were, in this case averted by the making exact figures, and of finding out the wise foresight of Etienne, who, while he re-proportions which they bear to each other." joiced in the nascent greatness of his son's in- With this meagre and unintelligible answer tellect, strictly adhered to the rule never to as-he forbade him even to think any thing more sign him any task to which he would not feel about the subject, as it was a pursuit still behimself superior. Would that these words, yond his capacity. But so great was his deworthy to be written in letters of gold, might sire to exercise his intellectual powers that he become the guide of the parents, and of the proceeded from this definition by his own unteachers of our own day. Then would it be assisted reasoning to the proposition corresno longer true that the most ingenious and ponding to the 32nd of the First Book of Eumost promising children are oftenest called to clid, in which the sum of all the angles of a an early grave. It must not be supposed, triangle is proved to be two right angles. So however, that young Pascal was confined to studiously had all geometrical treatises been the simplest elements of science, for, such kept from him, up to this time, that he was was the power of his mind, that he listened even unacquainted with the technical names of with attention and delight to the discussions, lines and circles, calling them, in his childish in which his father explained the mysterious language, bars and rounds. He may thus be laws of nature, or indulged in abstruse specu- said to have invented the mathematics as much lations on the no less difficult laws of lan- as he who sacrificed a thousand oxen as a guage. Thus, if we may confide in the state-thank offering at the discovery of the beautiment of his not impartial sister, Mad. Perier, ful 47th proposition. Pascal arrived at notions of universal gram- From such a beginning we are not surprismar, before he ever studied it in its applica- ed to see Pascal becoming at last one of the tion to any particular language, since his pru-most eminent mathematicians of the world. dent father esteemed the study of Latin too At sixteen he composed a work on Conic Secdifficult until he had well nigh attained his tions, which was considered by competent twelfth year. In these early conversations on judges inferior to nothing of the kind since natural philosophy it was not a lways that the time of Archimedes. His genius was next Étienne, with all his acuteness, could give a turned to the invention of an arithmetical masatisfactory solution to the questions of Blaise, chine, by which the most intricate problems whose clear intellect could never be deceived could be solved by mere mechanical manipuby the show of words, under which ignorance lations. It must be acknowledged, however, is so often shrouded. His love of truth found that like all other attempts at substituting artirest only in the complete solution of the diffi- ficial mechanism for the delicate operations of culty, or in an honest acknowledgement of the brain, this invention reflects credit on the incapacity. By the application of his own genius of its contriver rather for its beautiful powers of observation to the familiar but un-theoretical construction, than for possessing explained phenomena of sound, he was enaany practical utility. bled at the early age of twelve years to com- He was next led, by the announcement of pose a valuable treatise on acoustics. At the famous experiments of Torricelli on the about the same time he was actuated by an weight of the atmosphere, to institute originintense desire to study geometry, which he al experiments on the subject, by which the knew only as he had heard it alluded to by results of former experiments were most satthe mathematicians who frequented his fa- isfactorily verified, and all the ancient theother's house. It was not till after much per- ries of nature's abhorrence of a vacuum suasion that his father, rightly judging that completely overthrown. An account of these early youth is the period for cultivating hab-experiments was published in 1647, in an ad

1

mirable little book entitled, "New Experi- subordinate to it." It is not because we can ments in relation to a Vacuum." So splendid entirely assent to the spirit of this rule of the were the discoveries disclosed in that treatise, Roman Catholic Church, nor because the obthat the famous philosopher, Des Cartes, al-jects of Pascal's faith were always unexcepthough more than twenty-five years the senior of Pascal, was desirous of appropriating them to himself.

Wonderful as were the intellectual feats performed by Pascal, it must not be imagined that they were performed without the closest application. Let no scholar find an apology for relaxing his effort in his inferiority to this remarkable man, for whatever may be the results of his application, they will be an endless source of honor to him, if they are attained with one half the earnest toil, which characterized the researches of Pascal.

tionable, that we draw attention to this trait
in his character, but rather fro.n the satisfac-
tion and the admiration which we feel at ob-
serving one of the most exalted of human in-
tellects thus giving indubitable evidence of
indulging a child-like faith, undue and mis-
placed though it sometimes may have been.
It was this fact that silenced the infidel criti-
cisms of Condorcet. It was this that blunted
the edge of Voltaire's sceptical satire. It was
this, above all that, by establishing beyond a
a doubt the sincere piety of Pascal, gave him
power to deal those death-blows at Jesuitism
from which it has never recovered.
change thus wrought in Blaise, and the strict
manner of life which he adopted did not fail
to have an influence on the rest of the Pascal
family.

The

Shortly after the publication of the experiments on the weight of the atmosphere, circumstances occurred which modified Pascal's whole future course. A severe illness, which confined him for several months, first induced Jacqueline, one of the most beautiful and him to read books on religion, and to reflect talented of the women of her time, was inon his own spiritual state. Previous to this duced by her brother's persuasions, to reperiod he had led a pious life according to nounce forever the vanities of the world, and the standard of the church in that age, but to retire to the Convent of Port Royal, the at this time he gave himself up wholly to re-strong-hold of the Jansenists at that period. ligious pursuits, and abjured the study of the Her life forms one of the most delightful volsciences, which until now had formed his umes of biography in the whole range of litchief delight. erature. Nor was the father unwilling to sit

viously known. It was a principle of belief among the Port Royalists, to whom Pascal was in spirit united, that salvation is the gift of God's free unmerited grace, and in accordance with it this little band of the followers of Jansenius attained to a standard of personal piety which is truly wonderful.

It must ever be a source of joy to the true at the feet of his regenerated son, and to learn hearted Christian, that by his early acquisi-a purer and more lofty piety than he had pretions in science, philosophy and literature, he vindicated to himself the possession of so acute an understanding, that no cavils of sceptics can refer his subsequent childlike faith to the infirmity of his intellect. How great is the ground for rejoicing, that in the end, so transcendent a genius became devoted to the refutation of the errors of scepticism and of Jesuitism, at that time the banes of society, in all the rest of papal Europe, as well as in France.

After the death of his father, in 1651, and the removal of Jacqueline to Port Royal, Pascal was left to pursue his studies, uninterrupted by the calls of society, until his unremitting application induced such a state of body, that his physicians counselled him to spend much of his time in moderate exercise and mental relaxation.

Perhaps the whole range of history presents no sublimer or more humbling picture, than is displayed by the great mind of Pascal in the vigor of early manhood submitting itself unhesitatingly to the guidance of such a max- Thus he began to acquire new tastes for soim as that which Etienne Pascal inculcated in ciety, which for years he had abjured, and his children, -"Whatever is an object of to form plans somewhat in accordance with faith cannot be an object of reason, much less the wisdom of this world. But again he was

arrested by a wonderful escape from imminent danger of being precipitated into the Seine from the bridge of Neuilly, which revived in his mind all his former resolutions for a selfdenying life. Then also his sister Jacqueline, who owed to him her own spiritual awakening, was the first to exhort him to resume his ascetic habits. How averse this course was to mere worldly wisdom was proved by the return of his disease with increased rigor. A remark which he then made is of great importance to those, who, for the sake of a few more years of happiness in this world, would peril the welfare of their soul. "In the pursuit after human science," says Pascal at this time, sickness always retarded my progress, but since my present business is to learn lessons of heavenly wisdom, afflictions will accelerate my advancement in Divine knowledge."

Just about two centuries ago, appeared the "Provincial Letters," Pascal's most finished and most famous work. In this all the force

of his mighty intellect, all the keenness of his cutting satire, and all the brilliancy of his wit were combined for a most masterly

to question the integrity of the most truthloving people the world has ever seen.

After three years passed in discussions with the Jesuits, Pascal commenced a more elabo rate and more important work for the refutation of scepticism, which was then already spreading a desolating blight over the higher classes of society. He read with diligence the works of many of the most important writers on the subject, and applied his mighty intellect to the exposition of their errors and absurdities. But this, though the cherished plan of his life, was not destined to be accom plished. Prolonged and acute illness prevented more than the committal of meditations on various points of the controversy to loose bits of paper, and the communication of the various plan of the work to a few friends. Thus God hindered the accomplishment of this work, than which none apparently more sublime or more useful has ever been planned by an uninspired writer. These "Meditations have been collected and arranged by other hands under the title of "Thoughts on Religion," which, with all its merits, we can by no means recognize as realizing the elevat

ed ideal of its author.

In such sacred employments as are indicat

ed by this volume of "Thoughts," Pascal was occupied until the age of thirty-five, when his sufferings became so intense as to preclude all possibility of regularity, and days of ceaseless pain were followed by sleepless nights.

and effective attack on the Jesuits, the unrelenting foes of the pious Port Royalists. By this work Pascal not only vanquished his crafty opponents, but achieved a literary fame which has become the envy of the world. These letters stand alone in French controversial literature, and have been approached in our own language only by the "Letters of Junius." "The best comedies of Molière have It was during one of the most painful of no more wit than the first of the Provincial those dismal nights, that, after a cessation of Letters; Bossuet has nothing more sublime mathematical discussion for more than ten than the last," is the unwilling testimony of years, Pascal solved a problem with reference Voltaire in the Siècle de Louis XIV. And the to the cycloidal curve, which had baffled the Bishop of Meaux himself confesses that, with skill of all the mathematicians of his time, and the exception of his own immortal Funeral gave evidence that if his life had been proOrations, he would rather have been the au- longed, he might have contended with Leibthor of the Provincial Letters than of any oth-nitz and with Newton for the honor of dis

er work.

covering the calculi. Nor is this occurrence less remarkable in reference to religion, than It was at this time, also, that the famous it is wonderful in itself. By the publication of reputed miracle performed on the diseased eye this discovery it was fully proved that the of Pascal's niece, by the holy Thorn, strength- same mind which had composed the devout ened the ranks of the Jansenists and con- Pensées and had yielded implicit faith to the fused the counsels of the followers of Loyo-teachings of the Bible, was as able as ever to la. To doubt the sincerity of many who be- engage in the most abstruse discussions of lieved in the authenticity of this miracle, is science.

We would gladly dwell longer on the life of this great man, and tell of his charity, and of his purity of heart, of his simplicity of character and of his forgiveness of injuries, but time would fail us to recount even a small part of his virtues. After years of dreadful suffering, but with never wavering faith, on the 19th of August, 1662, expired the great and good Pascal. Though he had only attained the age of thirty-nine, yet so great was his application, and so fervent his piety, that in this short time he performed more good deeds than many a one who passes beyond the allotted three score and ten.

Had honest purpose plainly printed there,
With love and justice written on his brow,
Took, as his place, the foremost on the prow,
And as they glided near the sloping shore,
The fearful beating of each heart was o'er,
For softly falling on the listening ear,

This welcome came,-" WHAT CHEER, NETOP,
WHAT CHEER?"*

What Cheer?-good cheer for them and for our

State,

As each one landed on that Rock of Slate,

Good cheer for all, for they had found a land Forever free from persecution's hand. Reviled and scorned, of friendship now bereft, By all their comrades whom they now had left, When will the world see another such a Because they thought, at variance with the rest, man, who, though a Romanist, has been lov-That man should worship God as he thought best; ed by the most pious Protestants,-though a They made this vow-that their new home should Jansenist was respected by the followers of Loyola, and though a firm believer in the religion of Jesus Christ, was admired by a Voltaire?

For the Schoolmaster.

The Landing of Roger Williams.

BY MANFred.

More than two hundred years around the sun,
The rolling years their annual course have run,
Since that June morning when with noble mein,
Some Indians stood upon a hillside green,
And gazing o'er the water, they descried
A bark slow gliding down on Seekonk's tide.
This bark bore on six manly hearts and free,
Who years agone had crossed the stormy sea,
That they might worship God with heart elate,
As each one's conscience might to him dictate.
Who now were fleeing for the second time
The poisoned air of persecution's clime,

be

In thought, in spirit, and in action, free;
And their new banner o'er this land unfurled,
Gave this new doctrine to a startled world-
To every creed full tolerance we give,

In peace and love with all mankind we live.
Whene'er we turn our thoughts and backward

gaze

Upon the scenes of those eventful days,
And scan the life of him who led this baud
To seek a peaceful home within our land;
With noble purpose, ever free from strife,
We see him lead an honest, Christian life:

He heaped "hot coals of kindness on the head"

Of those whose persecutions he had fled;
He ever held it as his sacred creed,
To render good for every evil deed;
And by the dictates of his conscience taught,
Each rod of land he from the Indians bought;
He always held that theirs the only hand
That rightfully could deed away this land.
Before he here a settlement had made,
The land was purchased by a lawful trade.
So now the name once in derision heard,

Bringing with them in their small bark as freight, In every clime is known—a household word;

The future fortune of this little State.

And while they gazed upon the country round,
There fell upon their ears a rustling sound
Of feet, slow treading down the steep hillside,
Whose base is kissed by Seekonk's sparkling tide,
On whose green banks they saw before them
stand,

The monarchs of this then uncultured land;
And varied thoughts within each heart uprose,
They knew not how they came, as friends or foes;
But fast approaching to the water's edge,
Where rests our ever-honored Slate Rock Ledge,
Their noble leader, whose high forehead fair

The laws of freedom in his life enshrined,
Have proved a blessing true to all mankind;
On the bright scroll of fair Rhode Island's fame,
Foremost of all stands ROGER WILLIAMS' name.
*Sce Frontispiece.

"Tranquility dwells not with riches,
Nor in fame, nor in noble birth;

I will tell you where I have found it,-
By my humble, quiet hearth."

The shortest life is long enough if it lead to a better, and the longest life is too short if it do not.

young. She is followed by the teacher of a school of higher grade, by the grammar school teacher, and perhaps by the professor or the academic instructor.

Now, wherever the work begins and wherever it leaves off, there is always a warring between the judgment of the pupil and of the teacher. This dispute brings out obstinacy or firmness on both sides, and the stronger mind, or the mind nearer to the right, always conquers. Such disputes begin with the babe and end only with the end of life.

These premises being true, it is evident that to govern and to teach a scholar in the right manner, the instructor must convince his pu

welfare and will do all he can for his good; and next, that he possesses some superiority, mental, moral or physical, or the three, which makes him capable of judging what is best for the pupil in the particular act which causes the dispute. Till the child is convinced that all is well in the intentions and qualifications of teacher or parent in reference to him, he will never be satisfied with his discipline.— And here lies the true secret of good school government. When the child is convinced that the teacher works for his good and is able to do for him all that ought to he done, he honestly and confidently submits himself to the teacher's instruction and guidance.

A little child looks upon those older than itself in its honest way, and thinks that all people are honest, too. His father and his mother are very good, very wise and very rich, in his eyes; his teacher is to him a full depository of all kinds of necessary knowledge; this is proved by the answers to ques-pil, first, that he is really interested in his tions which he asks, for, did he ever ask and not receive a reply? It may be unsatisfactory, but if so, he thinks the fault is in himself. As the child becomes older, his confidence in his guides becomes weakened. He has begun to investigate for himself, and he begins to think and to reason. Sometimes he finds that even his father does not do best in everything. So he grows,-distrusting others, he goes on to trust himself; as a thrifty apple tree soon learns to support its own weight. He is learning all this while. He can now talk with his father and with his mother, with interest, about things which gave him no pleasure a few years before. Comparing his judgment with others, he is convinced that he can judge quite as well, and that he knows quite as much as some persons older than he. Now, unless his teacher and his parents are far above him in intellectual or moral power, he loses some of his respect for them. Some boys go so far as to scorn, totally, all sorts of guidance, and to trust entirely to their own sense. And so they either leave home, or, remaining, make home unpleasant to all but themselves. Such boys are sent to the reform school, and larger boys, or men of the same class, are found in the state's prison.

The development of the man goes on. Facts, reasonings, judgments, theories help to bring out his mental powers, and this process is continued until his death, or till reason and

sense cease.

It is the teacher's duty to aid the child in this development of his powers. The primary school teacher begins when her pupil is

Whether he be boy or man, girl or woman, the same truth applies, that

An honest interest in the welfare of the child, good or bad, together with an earnest love of children everywhere, and a proper amount of the right kind of knowledge, are springs by which good government and successful instruction are put into effective action.

These thoughts are not visionary. Every man who thinks of his own early discipline can point to the very place where a violation of this truth by a father or by a teacher has subjected him to considerable pain. Indeed, the idea in the pupil's mind, that the teacher does not care for him and that he punishes him merely for his own pleasure or to gratify his own whims, is a very repulsive and disagreeable one. Punishment, when the pupil is satisfied that it is for his, good, is met with different feelings from punishment which the pupil is convinced is unjust, harsh and uncall