די After all reasonable abatements are made, writer, fancies that he has put on the splendid robe of Chalmers, when in fact he has only stolen his rags. A rage for new works, and original authors, constitutes another danger to which the English language is exposed. A love of novelty is, indeed, a characteristic of an ingenious people. All the Athenians, we are told in the volume of inspiration, spent their time in nothing else but to hear and to learn some new thing. No doubt authors may be expected from time to time to arise, who will be an ornament to English literature. But after all, it is undoubtedly true, that the most valuable literature and science, in the English language is from half a century to a century and a half old. This is the mine which must be explored and wrought by him who would bring forth the treasures, and display the riches, of the language. A few remarks on the future prospects of the language, as to its extension and preva The United States are beginning to pay the literary debt which they owe to the mother country, and may yet become a main pillar in the support of the English language. When the sun in the heavens is approaching to his setting to the inhabitants of Great Britain, he is shedding his meridian splendor on the west-lence, will bring this paper to a close. The ern world. And perhaps when the sun of literature and science in England may be hastening to its going down, it may be shedding on the people of the United States the broad effulgence of its noon-tide glory. Such an event, however, is neither to be desired, nor to be confidently expected. The greater probability is, that both nations, at a future period, will run an equal race of literary distinction. English language, it may be confidently asserted, embodies more valuable literature and science than any other that was ever written or spoken. This circumstance will be sure to attract to it the regard of, the learned and enlightened of every country. The butterflies of fashion, that flutter around the courts of modern Europe, may prefer the French. Let it, if they please, have the honor of being the court language of Europe. But the learned in these countries will always set a higher value on the English. Nor will they be content to derive a knowledge of English authors merely from translations. The spirit of English literature would extensively evaporate in a translation. A servile imitation of distinguished writers. who amidst great excellencies have prominent defects, is another source of danger to the purity and beauty of the English language. An eminent writer oecasionally arises, whose majesty of thought and splendor of diction attract a general admiration, and whose distinguished excellencies throw a mantle over his minor defects. It requires great judgment and taste to separate the excellencies from the defects of such a writer; a judgment and taste which are not always possessed and exercised. Such writers are sure to have many imitators. Such an author, among others, is Chalmers. While the greatness of his thoughts and the splendor of his imagery attract universal admiration, he is far from being a good model of style. Many a youthful theologian, after he has interlarded his discourse with the quaint peculiarities of this distinguished to the Pacific oceans, which is yet to be spread The British empire, although it has its seat in a few small islands of the ocean, has its ' colonies in the four quarters of the world. In Canada and the West Indies, in Western and Southern Africa, in Hindostan and New Holland, the English language has a firm establishment, and every prospect of an extension. Among the millions of India, a broad field for its conquests, the English is perpetually trenching upon the languages of the natives. The United States, stretching through the breadth of a continent from the Atlantic over with a vast number of enlightened freemen, furnishes a distinguished theatre where the English langnage may extend its triumph, and rear up the monuments of its glory. The English is the langusge of two of the most commercial nations on the globe; and British and American commerce cannot fail to carry it, as on the wings of the wind, to the utmost ends of the earth. The two nations that speak this language are also, more extensively than all others, engaged in missionary operations, and appear to be destined to be the principal instruments in the diffusion of Christianity to every nation of the world. Wherever missionary establishments are formed by these people, the English language is likely to be gradually introduced. No doubt missionaries will extensively learn the languages of those to whom they are sent; and translations of the Scriptures, and other valuable works, will be made into these languages, especially for the use of the adult population. But much of missionary effort will be expended upon the young; and the children in schools will be likely to be taught the English language, that an access may be opened to them, without the labor of translations, to the great fountain of English literature and science. Though the English can scarcely hope to become the universal language, no other language has an equal prospect of becoming nearly so. The author who can produce a work in this language, which is worthy to go down to posterity, knows not to what a vast congregation it may be his privilege ultimately to speak, and how many unborn millions it may be his high honor to entertain and to instruct. HAPPY THOUGHT.-Remember that though the realm of death seems an enemy's country to most men, on whose shore they are loathly driven by stress of weather, to the wise man it is the desired port where he moors his bark gladly, as in some quiet haven of the fortunate isles; it is the golden west into which his sun sinks, and sinking, casts back a glory on the leaden cloud-rack which had darkly besiged his day.-Gospel Banner. For the Schoolmaster. The Warfare of Life. BY A. M. IDE, JR. WHEN oppression's hated hand Mingle in th' heroic strife; She hath proved both sword and shield; When the voice of war is dumb, Have we not each heart within, Wage with these unceasing war, God thy guide, and love thy law: Living never in disguiseEnvy none and none despise : In well-doing persevere : None but God and self to fear: And in earnestness press on Till the goal of life is won. Taunton, Mass., April, 1857. AN unstable man, who does not know which way to take or how to act, is as one HISTORY, says Carlyle, is the essence of in- who "fears ghosts at the front door, and numerable biographies. thieves at the back." Yankee among Aristocrats. Nor many years ago it happened that a young man from New York visited London. His father being connected with several of the British aristocracy, the young American was introduced to the fashionable circles of the metropolis, where, in consequence of his very fine personal appearance, he attracted much attention, and became quite the favorite of the ladies. This was not at all relished by the British beaux, but as no very fair pretext offered as a rebuff, they were compelled to treat him civilly. Thus matters stood when an Hon. M. P. and lady made a party to accompany them to their country seat in Cambridgeshire, and the American was among the invited guests. Numerous were the devices to which these devotees of pleasure resorted, in order to kill that old fellow who will measure his hours, when he ought to know they are not wanted, and the ingenuity of every one was taxed, to remember or invent something novel. The Yankees are proverbially ready of invention, and the American did honor to his character as a man accustomed to freedom of thought. But a combination was at last formed among a trio of dandies, to annihilate the American. They proposed to play various games, and having interested one of those indefatigable ladies who always carry their point, in the scheme, it was voted to be the thing. After some few charades had been disposed of, one gentleman begged leave to propose the game called "Crowning the Wisest." This is played by selecting a judge of the game, and three persons, either ladies or gentlemen, who are to contest for the crown by answering successively the various questions, which the rest of the party are at liberty to ask. The one who is declared to have been the readiest and the happiest in his answers, receives the crown. Our American, much against his inclination, was chosen among the three candidates. He was aware that his position in the society with which he was mingling, required of him the ability to sustain himself. He was, to be sure, treated with distinguished attention by his host and hostess, and generally by the party, but this was a favor to the individual, and not one of the company understood the character of Republicans, or appreciated the Republic. The three worthies had arranged that their turn for him should fall in succession, and be the last. The first one, a perfect exquisite, and, with an air of most ineffable condescension, put his question. "If I understand rightly the government of your country, you acknowledge no distinction of rank, consequently you can have no court standard for the manners of a gentleman; will you favor me with information where your best school of politeness is to be found? "For your benefit," replied the American, smiling calmly, "I would recommend the Falls of Niagara; a contemplation of that stupendous wonder teaches humility to the proudest, and human nothingness to the vainest. It rebukes the trifler, and arouses the most stupid; in short, it turns men from their idols, and when we acknowledge that God only is Lord, we feel that men only are our equals. A true Christian is always polite." There was a murmur among the audience, but whether of applause or censure, the American could not determine. The second now proposed his question. He affected to be a great politician, was mustachoed and whiskered like a diplomatist, which station he had been coveting. His voice was bland, but his emphasis was very significant. "Should I visit the United States, what subject with which I am conversant would most interest your people and give me an opportunity of enjoying their conversation." "You must maintain, as you do at present, that a monarchy is the wisest, the purest, the best government, which the skill of man ever devised, and that Democracy is utterly barbarous. My countrymen are proverbially fond of argument, and will meet you on both these questions, and if you choose, will argue with you to the end of your life." The murmur was renewed, but still without any decided expression of the feeling with which his answer had been received, The third then rose from his seat, and with an assured voice which seemed to announce a certain triumph, said: "I require your decision on a delicate question, but the rules of the pastime warrant tit, and also a candid answer. You have seen the American and the English ladies; which are fairest ?" row" mean, if the despateh reached this city the day before it was sent ? We should hardly think the "scientific world" need be distressed long about the first of these queries. For aught we can see, it might as well be settled by the line between Boston and New York, as to wait for the oceanic telegraph. To decide the last, the world has got to agree upon a meridian to reckon the days of the week from, just as we The young republican glanced around the circle. It was bright with flashing eyes, and the sweet smiles which wreathed many a lovely lip, might have won a less determined patriot from his allegiance. He did not hesitate, though he bowed low to the ladies as he an-have had to select one from which to reckon swered: "The standard of female beauty is, I believe, allowed to be the power of exciting admiration and begetting love in our sex, and consequently those ladies who are most admired, and beloved, and respected by the gentlemen, must be the fairest. Now I assert confidently that there is not a nation on earth where woman is so truly beloved, so tenderly cherished, so respectfully treated, as in the Republic of the United States; therefore the American ladies are the fairest. But," and he again bowed low, "if the ladies before whom I have the honor of expressing my opinion were in my country, we should think them Americans." The applause was ennthusiastic, and after the mirth had subsided so as to allow the Judge to be heard, he directed the crown to the Yankee. From the Home Journal. Queries. PUTNAM says, in its last number: The three great questions now distressing the scientific world are,-Whether two messages, delivered simultaneously at each end of the oceanic telegraph, would meet and annihilate each other, or would dodge each other, or rebound and return, each to its own office? It is a well-established fact, that when we travel EASTWARDLY to the antipodes, we lose twelve hours, and when WESTWARDLY, we gain twelve hours; therefore, if two messages were sent at six o'clock, A. M., from the Merchants' Exchange, New York, to the Merchants' Exchange, Kongtcheou, China, by opposition lines, one running east and the other west, whether the one by the western ine would not reach Kongtcheou twenty-four hours before the eastern one? longitude. For example, the sun is upon the meridian, and it is now noon in New Yorkwe will suppose it Saturday noon. About an hour later, the sun is over the meridian of Mobile, and it is Saturday noon there. Thus the sun goes on in its course around the globe, bringing noon to every place in turn, till, at the end of twenty-four hours, it brings noon to New York again; but now it is Sunday noon. Where, in the sun's course, did the Sunday begin? There must have been two places somewhere, lying side by side, to one of which, nearly at the same moment, it was Saturday noon, to the other Sunday noon. The missionary stations will probably be the first to settle the question for us practically, and the Sunday meridian which would cause the least inconvenience, would naturally run through the Pacific Ocean. We have been told, we do not know how correctly, that the Sandwich and Society Islands, though they have their noon nearly at the same time, have their Sunday noon twenty-four hours apart. Sunday was first carried to the former by American missionaries, to the latter by English; and while one band, in assigning the day for its observance, made allowance for the difierence of time between their old and new homes, the other did With regard to the second question, there If a merchant in Kongtcheou should telegraph to a can be no gain or loss, in the usual sense, by stock-broker in New York, "Buy me one thousand going either west or east, where the passage shares Nicaragua to-morrow," what would "to-mor- is so almost instantaneous. A man who sails from New York in an easterly direction round the world, finds, on his return, that he has had one day more than his friend who has remained in New York; but his days have been proportionately shorter. If he sails in a westerly direction round the world, he will have one day less than his friend at home; but his days will be longer. If he went round the world in an hour on a telegraphic wire, he could only gain a day in the sense that the alternate light and darkness which constitute the usual day would be compressed into an hour, and that would be the case whether he went east or west. A message which started from New York at six o'clock A. M., on Monday, as the passage would probably be in less than an hour on a continuous wire, would arrive in China between six and seven P. M., on Monday-and that whether it went east or west; while one that started from China for New York at six A. M., on Monday, would arrive between six and seven P. M., on Sunday-and that whether it went east or west, upon the supposition, of course, that our Sunday merldian were estab'lished in the Pacific. For the Schoolmaster. The Dying Orphan's Song. BY MANFRED. No friend upon this dark and dreary earth With ever-anxious and ne'er-ceasing care, Who bade me tread the lovely paths of truth, And of the tempter's wiles e'er to beware, Now lie beneath the church-yard's marble stone; Their ransomed spirits soar through realms above, While I am left a-weary and alone 'Mid the dark scenes of earth awhile to rove. But ere the bright and glorious sun doth sleep, O'er yonder fair and beauteous green-capt hill, My heart will cease its beatings slow to keep, And in death's cold embrace all will be still. Hark! methinks I hear a distant treading- For rest they'll give to my poor aching brow. They sing-I hear the voices chanting slowly Of those ideal forms so sweet to me :"Come with us to our home so pure and holy, And lasting peace we'll ever give to thee." With joy that no human tongue is telling Father, dost thou not hear my footsteps coming For the Schoolmaster. True Politeness. WE readily distinguish between the outward forms of politeness, and that which has its source in the depths of a good and pure heart, the one the shell, the other the kernel.. The first has for its object the desire of appearing well, the second that of rendering others at their ease. The Golden Rule defines true politeness in few words, but full of meaning; and we find the observance of this rule less easily practiced, than that which the world lays down for its votaries. It is the spontaneous production of a warm and affectionate heart, and loses its freshness and beauty by contact with studied forms. The majority of people who pride themselves upon a knowledge of true politeness, have in reality the show, but little of the spirit. Many of them assume their polish of manners as they would |