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Published on the first and fifteenth day of every month, by Cummings, Hilliard, & Co. No. 1 Cornhill, Boston.-Terms, $5 per annum, payable in July. VOL. I.

REVIEWS.

BOSTON, JANUARY 1, 1825.

appeared.

No. 18.

culties, has learned little of its precepts, and a deep feeling of reverence and dependence. imbibed little of its spirit in the purer days Early associations, as well domestic as poliof his own being. While we are thus dis- tical and religious, were unreluctantly given Letters on the Gospels. By Miss Hannah posed to ascribe much of the obscurity which up by his followers, wherever they interAdams. Boston. 1824. 18mo. pp. 216. has been charged on Christianity to the state fered at all with the service he required of It has been objected to Christianity, that it of mind of the objector, we as freely ac- them. It was on their part the unheard of is not sufficiently simple for the mass of men; knowledge that there is much in it which service of self-devotion to God, and to man, that its doctrines are obscure, and not always requires explanation. This is particularly with the strange condition and early expereconcilable with one another. It is said, the case with all those parts of it which re-rience, of contempt, hatred, hardship, and more time is required of men to learn the fer to circumstances of place, manners, and suffering. Still it was undertaken and perrule of duty than their condition and occu-character of the age in which Jesus Christ formed. If imperfectly, this was not on acpations allow. It has mysteries, it is added, count of any reservation in favour of former which are too deep for comprehension; and, There are two circumstances in its his- practice or belief. It was the reservation of nevertheless, these are articles of faith, and tory, about which we shall make a passing nature, and belonged to that infirmity which unless they are believed, the main pillars of remark, not because of any obscurity, but was essential to their human condition. Still Christianity are wanting,-our faith is vain. because they are parts of its evidence, and a vast change was made, a great effect was These and other objections are urged because they have a connexion with the re-produced. A new standard of excellence against christianity, by individuals of vari- marks we are about to offer on the work named was given to men, and they were made betous conditions and different ages. They at the head of this article. One of these is ter by it. derive some of their claims to consideration the character, the life, and doctrines of the This effect was produced by the character from the classes who bring them; and there author of the religion, when contrasted with and instructions of Jesus Christ. We have is one class, which, while it furnishes most the times in which he lived. The other is already spoken of the first. It remains to instances, has still other claims on our re- the effect produced by all these on his fol- speak more fully of the last. The prevailing gard. It is the class of the young, who are lowers. Jesus Christ spoke as no man had character of the Gospels, which contain these coming into life; who are making their way ever spoken before, and lived as no man had instructions, is naturalness. They were inin the world; who have good dispositions, ever lived. He is alone amidst his own age, deed accompanied and enforced by miracles. and whose characters are to be much formed and all the preceding. We have no difficulty But these, however wonderful and appalling by things without and around them. The in finding him; and learn nothing of his his- when they were wrought, never occupy the religious character to these is of great value. tory in that of any portion of our race. He front ground. They are subservient and They are within the reach of many and va- is without prejudice, where it was most ex-secondary every where to the instructions, rious influences. There is a joyousness in clusive; a disinterested and wide lover of the doctrines themselves. Jesus Christ did not their natures, which is occupied with every man, where selfishness was a tolerated prin- come to our earth to astonish its inhabitants thing they see and hear. Their natures go ciple both of religion and philosophy. Claim-by his wonderful works. His sole purpose before them in the pursuit of happy things; ing and demonstrating a direct communica- was to exalt and purify the moral nature, and they are never wearied, for variety is tion with heaven, he is poor and houseless and to fit it for the eternity which was its always before them. It is of great conse- on the earth. destiny. Men were not to be forced into quence to such a state of mind, that the obNow this is wholly unlike all that had virtue any more than they had been before. ject which most interests it, should be of the been known of man before. Human expe- No overwhelming influence is exerted any least questionable character. It must be rience had never met with its likeness. In where in his history. He is said to have obvious and simple, while it is lovely. It all the preceding times men retained some-taught as one having authority; but it was should be lasting in its nature, to corres- thing of the earlier ages, and were fair pro- the authority of knowledge. He knew the pond with the natural freshness which every ducts of their own. Times indeed have their whole extent of moral infirmity, and while day will bring to it. It should be animatinglivery, but the latest is always some modi-he mourned over the ruin, he loved it; and in its interest, that the tone of the mind be fication of the preceding. Human infirmity was bent on its restoration (the object of his not weakened. It should be of perpetual has descended in an unbroken succession. coming), let the sacrifice to him personally and increasing interest, because the mind It is the strongest feature in the moral crea-be what it might. He knew what it would enlarges with its objects, and when these tion. A moral naturalist would find in it are exhausted, it will swell over and beyond one of the strong characters by which to determine and describe the species. Jesus Christ has not this character of human identity, and in this simple fact, he comes to us with an hitherto unknown claim, not merely to distinction, but to belief.

them.

Now Christianity is, of all others, the subject itself about which such a state of mind may be most safely and usefully employed. Much that distinguishes it from all others, fits it especially for the susceptibility The miracle of his own character had its of our natures when young. It brings dis-effect on the followers of Jesus Christ. It tinctly into view a character as lovely as run counter to all their expectations, and it is elevated; one who was particularly at-disappointed their strongest hopes. But it tracted by the beauty and simplicity of our was in beautiful harmony with all they were nature, as exhibited in the young, and who even made children the illustrators of his sublimest doctrines. A work by such an author must be fitted for such an age, and it may be, that he who objects to it its diffi

taught, and with all the preternatural they
witnessed. It thus became and continued
a part, and a most important part, of the
evidence on which the claims of Jesus Christ
rested. With the belief was closely allied

be, and its whole effect on the human race. With such knowledge, and with such a purpose, the authority of his instructions was felt and acknowledged by strangers and by friends. His instructions belong, if we may use the expression, to the mind itself. They reach its wants in their utmost extent and variety. They belong to it, because their effect is to give to it its highest dignity; and thus to fit it for the eternity which they every where declare to be its portion. They bring out, and keep in operation the whole powers of the mind; for their direct effect is to give it an interest, and the strongest interest too, in topics wholly intellectual, such as its own nature and purposes; the being and attributes of God; the means of moral

ture state.

purity; and the relation of this to the fuThis character of the Gospels deserves special notice, when taken in connexion with the prevailing opinions and doctrines of the times in which their author lived. It does so in the next view we shall take of it. The instructions of Jesus Christ were not given for the use of a particular set of men, or for a limited period of time. They are designed for all ages, and for all men. It is in their leading, their sole object, that this unlimited purpose must be looked for; and it is in the fact, that this object cannot be wholly attained on earth, but may be approached more and more nearly, that they present a perpetual motive for the highest efforts. The great object of these instructions being thus to act upon the mind and heart, the direct effect upon the individual is to preserve in him the consciousness of his being an intellectual being. Now we value fairly what we have, just so far as we know its nature and its uses. And we value ourselves too in an exact proportion to our direct influence upon others, by means we understand, as well as can command. A man who feels he has a mind, and knows so much about it as to be conscious of its operations, and has found his dignity and his pleasure too in these, has a real and lasting possession in himself. The mind is no longer the mere instrument of circumstances, and adapted to these by accident, as the eye and the ear are to the distances of different objects of sight or sound. It is felt to be a power of vast and strange attributes, planning all, and doing all. The Gospels have this power every where in view. Their purpose with it is its indefinite progress towards the good and the great. They distinctly call upon men to recognize this power in all they do, and in the perfection of its operations with us, it reveals to us some of the mysteries of a spiritual being.

We have been led to these reflections by the design of the author, in the "Letters on the Gospels," as stated in the Preface. They are written for the young, to enable "them to read the New Testament with more pleasure and advantage, and that they may be induced to make the sacred Scriptures the object of their daily study, the rule of their life, and their guide to everlasting happiness." The difficulties which it is in part the object of these Letters to explain, may seem to contradict the views offered above. The Gospels were said to be perfect in their character, and of perpetual and universal application. They allude, however, to much that was purely local and temporary, and of course of limited and accidental experience. But the propriety and wisdom of this can be shown by a moment's consideration; and so far from diminishing the force of our argument, it will give it new confirmation. The doctrines of Jesus Christ were entirely new, and his authority to teach them was shown by miracles. But they were addressed to men, using their own minds; who were to be taught, as other men are; who understood language as it is ordinarily understood; who would be more struck,

|

and more readily convinced by a material has afforded us to find that even literary
representation, than by an unadorned doc- conflicts may leave the moral dignity un-
trine; and would see the truth in an iliustra-hurt, and to find that this latest work of a
tion, where the simple annunciation of the life devoted to letters, should have so truly
same truth would be either not received or the spirit of the subject to which it is de-
not applied. This was not true of the first voted. We close with a single extract, and
Christians merely. It is true of all men, with an unhesitating recommendation of the
and of all ages. Jesus Christ availed him-volume to our readers.
self of these facts in our moral history, and Our blessed Lord continues his discourse, by in-
at the same time availed himself of every culcating heavenlymindedness, and the practice of
circumstance, however local or however virtues, to which the Jewish teachers were general-
temporary, which might give attractivenessly strangers. He warns his hearers against covet-
or power to his instructions. He used the ousness; and reprehends, in particular, the prac
Itice of the Pharisees, who were very avaricious,
intellectual and the physical language of and very much devoted to the world. They re-
the times. His doctrines were new, but sorted to any measures just or unjust, to obtain
they were for the mind as he found it, and riches. Our Saviour exhorted his hearers not to
for the mind as it always would be. His lay up treasures on earth, where moth and rust
illustrations are borrowed from the serene steal. In the Eastern countries, where the fashion
do corrupt, and where thieves break through and
sky over his head, and from the beautiful of clothes did not alter, as with us, the treasures of
flowers in his path The high mountain, the rich consisted not only of gold and silver, but
and the deep valley; the vast ocean, and of costly habits, and finely wrought vessels, liable
the narrow river; the fowl of heaven, and to be destroyed in the manner here mentioned. Our
the wild beast of the desert, the whole ma- their treasure be on earth, there would their hearts
divine Instructer assured his hearers, that, should
terial creation, are all made means of in- be also. Ye cannot,' says he' serve two masters;
struction. The same is true of habits and ye cannot serve God and Mammon.' Mammon
manners; and even etiquette, perhaps the was a Syrian word, signifying riches, which are
most evanescent of them all, contributes here represented under the figure of a person who
its share in unfolding the deepest myste- has been deified or rather been raised to universal
ries, and discovering the most sublime and dominion by the folly of mankind.
awful truths. If there be an apparent in-
consistency in this, its reason and its motive
are deep seated in ourselves. In this late day,
is not the providence of God as frequently
rocognized and acknowledged in the protec-
tion it affords to the sparrow or the lily, as
in its daily care for us? and are not the
storms of the unconscious elements more
eloquent and powerful with us, than the in-
telligent nature, the strong power of con-
science, the noble intellect, with which God
has endowed us?

It add

Our Lord proceeds to caution his hearers against extreme anxiety respecting our earthly subsistence, and gives a striking exhortation to trust in the providential care of our heavenly Father. ed a peculiar force to our Saviour's words, that beauties of nature. He could point to the fowls of they were delivered in view of the surrounding the air, and the flowers of the field, and show his auditors, that the whole creation attested the truth of his instructions. 'Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feedeth them; are ye not much better than they? The ravens, in particular, are mentioned in Luke's Gospel, and our Lord, in directing his disciples to trust This clothing of his instructions with the in God for their subsistence, bids them consider the times and places in which they were given, ravens. It may appear to some surprising, that so is a cause of obscurity to us, with whom abject a creature should be so frequently recognised times are so altered, and places so wholly Preserver of all things. When the Most High in Scripture, as an object of care to the Maker and unlike. But the scholar of the bible reads challenged Job out of the whirlwind, he demanded, it with its history; and the obscurity van 'Who provided for the raven his food? When his ishes. Our author has done it for those young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of who have not time or inclination for a col- meat. The Psalmist uses it as an argument for lateral history, and thus has made the Gos- praising God. The Lord giveth food to the young ravens which cry.' The ravens are sometimes pels accessible to the young. This little driven rather prematurely from their nest, before volume is written with great simplicity. they are all able to subsist by their own industry. The language is perfectly fitted to the In this case, pinched with hunger, and abandoned author's great object. She writes as one by their parents, they fill the air with their cries; always may, who has habitually, and for destitute and helpless condition. Nor do they cry as it were complaining to God concerning their long time, thought seriously about, and in vain, the Almighty Benefactor supplies all their studied her subject. It seems the ordinary wants. But the care of Providence is not confined occupation of her mind, that she has carto the young. It extends also to their parents ried to her book; not the result of its oc- (who 'neither sow nor reap, have neither storecasional direction, and after long intervals. house nor barn'), and provides food for them from his inexhaustible stores. Even the meanness of It is hence all equally well done, and the the character of this bird may serve the more interest which is excited to read it, keeps strongly, in a considerate mind, to excite and estabup till the whole is read. We have been lish a firm reliance on the wise and bountiful arhighly gratified with this work. We ex-rangements of Providence. The argument of our press ourselves freely and fully about it, Lord is exceedingly strong and pointed. If the because we would pay our tribute, however Almighty hear not in vain the croaking of a young raven, he surely will not turn a deaf ear to the supsmall it may be, to one who has been so plications of his people. long known among us in the high ranks of the most dignified and useful literature. It has not been a career without its troubles, that the author has so honourably pursued. We would not have alluded to them, but for an opportunity to express the pleasure it

a

Our divine Instructer again turns our attention to the beauties of nature, to demonstrate the providential care of our heavenly Father. 'Consider,' says he, the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.' 'It is,' says Sir J.

E. Smith, natural to presume that our Saviour, according to his usual custom, called the attention of his hearers to some object at hand; and as the fields of the Levant were overrun with the Amaryllis Lutea, whose golden liliaceous flowers, in autumn, afford one of the most brilliant and gorgeous objects in nature, the expression of, Solomon in all his glory, arrayed like one of these, is peculiarly appropriate. A description of probably the same species of flower is given by Mr Salt, in his voyage to Abyssinia. At a few miles from Adowa,' says he, we discovered a new and beautiful species of Amaryllis, which bore from ten to twelve spikes of bloom on each stem, springing from the common receptacle. The general colour of the corolla was white, and every petal was marked with a single streak of bright purple in the middle. The flower was sweet scented; and its smell. though much more powerful, resembled the lily of the valley'

Our Saviour's words, Consider the lilies,' &c. acquire additional force aud beauty, when we call to mind, that they were suggested by the sight of the splendid species of Lily which abounds in Palestine. We may imagine our Lord, when delivering his divine Sermon on the Mount, pointing to those superb flowers, which decked the surrounding plain, and deducing from their beauty lessons of contentment, and reliance on the bounty of our heavenly Father.

Evenings in New England. Intended for
Juvenile Amusement and Instruction. By
an American Lady. Boston. 1824. 18mo.
Pp. 181.

THIS work is another added to the many
existing proofs, that American writers can
supply all the departments of letters from
our own resources. Perhaps no kind or
class of literary productions now remains
unattempted, though true it is, that in
some, not to say many of them, high ex-
cellence is as yet unattained. The book
now before us belongs to a peculiar class,
the invention of which was reserved al-
most until these days; it is intended at
once to amuse and instruct children, and so
to do this, as that these two apparently dis-
tinct purposes shall be so far from opposing
each other, that they may be effected by the
same means, and in fact be blended into one
identity. Unless we misrecollect, Mr Day's
Sandford and Merton was the first book, in
which distinguished talents were strongly
exerted to give to children important infor-
mation, in such a way as to make them seek
and love it. Miss Edgeworth, Mrs Bar-
bauld, Mrs Hannah More, and a host of
other lesser names have followed in this path.
Such has been their success, that at this
moment the most entertaining books which
can be put into a child's hands,-those
which he would be most apt to seek in his
play-hours, and beg as a favour, are at the
same time eminently instructive; more so
in fact than most of those which aim only
at instruction. As striking instances of
what we mean, we would select from Miss
Edgeworth's works, "Lame Jervas," and
"Murad the Unlucky." Judging from our
own feelings, or rather from the recollec-
tion of our feelings when we first read them
many years since, we should say that more
interesting and entertaining tales never
were written; and certainly it would be dif-
ficult to indicate the same number of pages
in many works, which would give the young
reader so much information upon moral,

scientific, and philosophical subjects; and danger lest this should be the case; and we information, too, which he would not be apt doubt not that she will take our warning in to forget, and which it would be well for good part. She professes to think that it him to remember. Now these works are would be presumptuous to write books for highly honourable to their authors, and they children, after Miss Edgeworth and Mrs are most excellent and serviceable in their Barbauld, were it not for the circumstance, degree; but they are also worse than un- that the works of these distinguished authors profitable, if the limitations and true nature are emphatically English. From her Prefof their real use are mistaken or forgotten. ace, we should infer, that she wrote in the One good which they effect, is the teaching hope of making her productions equal in inof useful knowledge; but there is a greater terest to those of the authors referred to, by good which they may, and should effect; compensating for the want of their "simple they may form in the mind a habit of en- elegance of expression," or their "pointed joying the acquisition of truth; they may purity of moral," by introducing American mature the love of knowledge with needful scenes or characters. But we doubt not aliment, and thus strengthen it, and greatly that she had a higher aim; and we hope, promote the improvement of the intellectual that she will make her works American, character, by helping to establish a deep not merely by talking about American facts, and abiding association between pleasure but by making them better suited to the and advancement in learning. But they growing character of this country, and freecannot be made to do the whole work of ing them from evils which are attached to education, nor any thing like it. The pri- the best works of this sort. She loses no mal obligation of labour is still in full force; opportunity of illustrating and enforcing the it cannot be evaded by any subterfuge, nor great principle, that use is the only measure got rid of by a compromise; it refuses to of value; and she may, we believe, give to admit of an exception in favour of any per- her future productions characteristics which son or thing, and imposes upon all who share will make it quite unnecessary to apologize man's nature, the law, that no true good is for writing after Miss Edgeworth. This to be won without full payment of the pur- highly gifted and very celebrated lady has chase money. We believe, that the steps faults, which we doubt not that the author which lead to the highest learning may be of these "Evenings" will avoid. As to Miss so arranged, that the ascent from each to Edgeworth's code of morals, we rather inthe next may be easy; and therefore great cline to think she favours that philosophy genuises may improve the manner of teach- which identifies the most perfect morality ing by amusement, until all things knowable with the most sagacious selfishness. Be this are thus taught. Still the great objects of as it may, she certainly, so far as she is an education remain to be accomplished. The author, habitually and systematically exintellect is not disciplined; its powers have empts the heart and the mind from the connot been developed and fortified by habits trol of the highest, most operative, and most of patient, strenuous, and incumbent exer- universal motives; and thinks processes and tion. Perhaps it has acquired all that it can means of improvement may be devised which get, but it has not done, nor learned to do, will be sufficiently pure and powerful withall that it could and ought to do. Learning out having any regard to these motives. We is but one of the objects of education; and are certain that the principles and the sysit is a sad mistake to regard it as the prin- tem of our author will be very different. If cipal object. We have thought that the she regards it as her vocation, to provide writers for children in England, exhibited a food for the childish or youthful mind, let strong tendency to mistake an accumulation her acquaint herself with the wants and charof facts in the memory for a general im- acter of the understanding, in that stage of provement of the intellect. We hope that its growth for which she must suit the alithis mistake will not be adopted here; and ment she offers; let her acquire accurately that works, which belong to the class of the knowledge she would communicate; and which we have spoken, however full of use- let her labour in her employment, and bow ful information they may be, and however her mind to it in good earnest, and she will cunningly they may insinuate this informa- surely succeed. It is obvious, that her intion into the reader's mind, will be still re- tellect has strength and brightness enough, garded as only preparatory to education. If and needs only culture and discipline; they are made to lead the youthful mind whether it be peculiarly adapted to this gradually and naturally to those exercises kind of work, yet remains to be fully in which it will put forth its strength forci- proved. For ourselves, we think this is a bly, and advance by its own efforts, then good book, well adapted to its purposes, and they will be useful, and worthy of all en- likely to do good to many; and we will now couragement; but if the reading of such proceed to describe its contents somewhat books is permitted to supersede more effi- more particularly, and make such extracts cient modes of intellectual discipline, then, as shall give a just notion of its character. and just so far, will they be injurious.

All the pieces are short, and most of them We have not prefaced our notice of the are in the form of dialogues between an "Evenings in New England" with these re- aunt and her nephew and niece. The submarks, because they are peculiarly applica-jects are various, and for the most part are ble to this work; indeed there is no indica- well chosen and well treated. The followtion that the author estimates the value and ing may serve as a specimen. importance of her employment above its true Lucy. Aunt, I am tired to death of reading Hisrate. But, as she is human, there is some tory. I have been two or three months studying

Rollin;-but now I have come to live with you, I trust you will suffer me to employ myself about something more amusing.

Aunt. Why, my dear Lucy, you have now almost ceased to be a child, and I trust you are aware of how much importance a knowledge of historical events will prove, when you come forward in society. It is one of those things which are so common that nobody can be tempted to be proud of them, and yet so necessary that one ought certainly to blush for any deficiency.

Lacy. So my mother always told me; but I must acknowledge I am weary of such kind of reading. All I can remember is a jumble of battles and revolutions,-of kings murdered and princes poisoned. There are ever-so-many Dukes of Buckingham, and and how can I possibly recollect to distinguish between them?

Aunt. All this confusion originates in a want of judgment in your course of study. You should read, in course, those books which nearly relate to the same period. If you wish to attain a knowledge of the sixteenth century, for instance, there are Charles V, Leo X, and the Life of Luther, which are very proper to be read together; and perhaps a few years hence, you might with advantage add Villiers on the Reformation. For the present winter, however, I will tell you a plan which will make History delightful as well as instructive.

Lucy. Pray what is it?

Aunt. After you have read the reign of any particular king, I will read some novel or play immediately connected with it. By this means you will no longer feel as if you had only heard of the characters, but as if you had actually seen and talked

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are there none to assist other countries, besides
that of England?

Aunt. There probably are, though I know of but
few. When we read Robertson's Scotland, The
Abbot will increase the interest which he excites
in the story of their last unfortunate queen, Mary
Stuart. In order to remember James III, and his
quarrel with the famous house of Douglas, we may
possibly turn aside to read the Lady of the Lake;
and perhaps I may indulge you with Marmion, that
you may better recollect Mary's grandfather, James
IV, who fell at the battle of Flod len Field.
Lacy. And are there none connected with the
French?

Aunt. Undoubtedly. However, I know of but
three; and those are, Quentin Durward, Jane of
France, and Anne of Bretagne. They all refer to
very nearly the same period.

centuries ago, when the world was more ignorant than it now is, these marvellous things were more generally and more firmly believed. The Grecian priests well knew that there was nothing about which mankind were so anxious as concerning what would happen to them in time to come. Accordingly, they made them believe that the gods spoke to men through certain images, fountains, &c.; and that if any one wished to know whether he should be successful in any undertaking he was about to commenee, he had only to offer a rich sacrifice to the god in order to ascertain. People flocked from all parts of Greece, bringing gold, precious stones, and every thing that was costly, as an offering to these oracles. The designing priests returned what answers they chose, and appropriated the gifts to their own use.

Lucy. But how could they always answer rightly? Alexander did conquer the world as they foretold.

Lucy. How delightful it will be to read all these things. Do let us begin Hume to-night. Aunt. There are very numerous instances where Aunt. To-morrow we will commence. But there their predictions were wrong. As for Alexander, is another part to my project. You must write they saw that he was a bold, resolute, ambitious down all that you remember of any reign, and the man, who was resolved to conquer the world, and thoughts which the subject naturally suggests. This so they ventured to predict that he would; and no must be done as if you were talking to a companion, doubt some nations gave up to him because they not as if you were writing a book. The more you believed it impossible to resist the fate which the improve in this task, the more willing I shall be to oracle had decreed. The priests were generally devote an evening to the recreations I have men- very cautious in their answers. Sometimes when tioned; because I shall be convinced that you do a great personage inquired concerning au important not hurry through your history for the sake of read- expedition, they would return no answer at all; and ing novels, plays, and poems,-but that you love still oftener, they would return one that might be novels, &c. on account of the useful information taken two different ways. Thus, when Cræsus inthey afford, as well as for their interesting stories quired whether he should be fortunate if he crossed and poetic language. After all, you must remem- the Halys, the oracle replied, If Crœsus pass over ber that there are many things necessary for you to the Halys, he shall destroy a great empire.' He to learn, which cannot be obtained except by hard passed the river, and destroyed his own great emstudy. It is, no doubt, pleasant to find instruction pire. When Nero applied to the famous oracle at in the train of amusement; but she is not always Delphi, the answer was, 'Seventy-three may prove there-and she is so valuable, that we must be will-fatal to Nero. From this, the emperor concluded that his life was safe from accident, or disease, until he was seventy-three years of age; but he was soon afterwards deserted by his people, and Galba, who in his stead. He was then willing to believe that was seventy-three years old, was proclaimed king the oracle referred to that event. When Pyrrhus intended to go to war with the Romans, he inquired whether he should prove victorious. The answer was, Aio te, Facida, Romanos vincere posse;" which signifies, I declare, son of Eacus, you the Romans shall conquer. This he supposed a favour able omen; but it must have proved a true oracle in either case, for it may mean, 'You shall conquer the Romans,' or 'The Romans shall conquer you.'

now and then turning aside to rest on a little spot
covered with grass and wild flowers.

Aunt. It is, no doubt, wrong to read such books very frequently, and very unprofitable to reading to follow her through long and tedious roads, them at all, without much discrimination; but every thing is valuable according to its use; and when the lighter kinds of reading serve to impress something more valuable upon our minds, they answer an exceedingly good purpose.

Lucy. It seems to me there are not many novels of this description.

Aunt. You probably have seen a multitude of foolish, romantic, worthless stories; and I am heartily glad that you do not like them. But if you will read only such ones as are pointed out by judicious friends, and, even then, read them sparingly, you might find some of real advantage to you. With regard to the plan I proposed, I cannot furnish you with either a novel or a play for every reign in the English history; but I can for very many. Shakspeare provides a large fund for us on this occasion; and, luckily for our purpose, there is a Family Shakspeare published, in which most of the uninteresting and useless parts are omitted. The evenings are now perceptibly lengthening, and if you will follow my plan, I think you will acknowledge that they have passed away pleasantly, as well as profitably.

Lucy. Do, dear Aunt, let us hear the whole of your plan; and what books you think you shall read

Aunt. You shall read Hume's History aloud, and whenever I think of any thing connected with the subject, we will obtain it at the library, and spend a few evenings in becoming acquainted with the characters, to whom Mr Hume has slightly introduced us. After we have finished the reigns of Richard I, and his successor, we will read Ivanhoe and Shakspeare's King John. Shakspeare will likewise serve to fix the events connected with Henry IV, V, VI, and VIII, and likewise of the Second and Third Richard. Kenilworth and Miss Aikin's Court of Queen Elizabeth will give you a correct idea of that queen, and the persons who were most conspicuous during her reign. The Fortunes of Nigel, and Miss Aikin's Court of King James, faithfully portray the character of her successor; and Peveril of the Peak makes you well acquainted with Charles II, and his gay favourite, the Duke of Buckingham. Lucy. Why indeed, Aunt, I did not think there had been so many as you have mentioned; but

Divers persons of our acquaintance might consider and remember these remarks upon novels, with great advantage. The dialogue on Oracles, beginning on page 46, is one of the best in the book, and with this we must close our extracts. Besides these dialogues, there are short sketches and stories of the same general character. We had marked one or two of them for quotation, but find we have left ourselves no room.

Lucy. I learned a lesson in Grecian History today, where it relates that the oracle had proclaimed that whoever should untie the Gordian knot, should conquer the world; and that, in consequence of this declaration, Alexander the Great, after trying in vain to untie it, cut it with his sword; and the priest declared the oracle fulfilled in him. I felt very curious to know what these oracles were, and how they knew what was to happen.

Aunt. Oracles may probably be classed among other superstitions by which mankind are to this day willingly deceived. I suppose you have heard a great many signs and forerunners, which the ignorant consider as infallible?

Lucy. Yes, indeed. I know an old lady who will never begin any thing on Friday, because it is an unlucky day. When the tallow falls over in a peculiar form in the candle, she is frightened because it resembles a winding-sheet. And she says she never knew a dog to howl under the window, without some death happened in the family soon after.

Aunt. That must be unfortunate for the inhabitants of a city, who may chance to hear the bowling of dogs every night in the week. The truth is, if a person chances to die soon after such a noise has been heard, the circumstance is recollected and repeated; but if nothing extraordinary happens, it is all forgotten, or, at most it is only remembered that some poor dog had lost his master, and was straying round, mourning his loss. In this way, people are always willing to deceive themselves; and many

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Lucy. Was the Delphian oracle the only one? Aunt. They were very numerous. The most remarkable were those of Delphi, Delos, Dodona, and Trophonius. The Delphian oracle was near Mount Parnassus, the fabled resort of the Muses. A splendid temple of Apollo was erected there, in the midst of which was a cavity, from whence issued the most unhealthy and noxious vapour. Out of this the oracle was supposed to proceed. It is said to have been discovered in the following manner. A number of goats, that were feeding on Mount Parnassus came to a place which was deeply per forated, from which issued a steam that seemed to inspire them They played and frisked about in such an extraordinary manner that the goatherd was tempted to lean over the hole, and see what mysteries the place contained. He was immedi ately seized with a fit of enthusiasm, and his wild and extravagant expressions were taken by the ignorant people for prophecies.

Lucy. Was it not very strange that he should be affected in that manner?

Aunt. Not at all strange, my dear, The vapour probably contained some gas, which had a powerful effect on the human frame. You recollect cousin William said he behaved like a crazy man when he inhaled the exhilarating gas. Probably this had a similar effect on the brain. Whatever it was, it gained great credit with the people. A temple was erected over the spot, and dedicated to Apollo. A priestess, who was called Pythia, or Pythoness, was ordained to receive the oracles and deliver them to inquirers. A lofty tripod, decorated with laurel, was placed over the hole whence the vapour issued;

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