Science. The deficiency here is attrib uted, in part, to the text-book, but we rather think the way in which these sub jects are taught is more culpable. With no other inspiration than a request to repeat parrot-like the contents outline of a book a student can not be expect ed to attain other than “ordinary suc cess." A recitation conducted on the verbatim et literatim principle is devoid of everything but a display of memory. These branches are successfully taught only where the instructor imparts his knowledge in a, manner that will rouse and energize his pupils. He must “ scorn ‘cramming,’ so preva lent in our day, and convert the knowl edge he imparts into a lever, to lift, ex ercise and strengthen the growing minds committed to his care.” DRIFTING. Wo flouted onoo on Idle tidos Winch lay beneath tho rising sun. Than lovers there wero none besides That happy sunshine shone upon. Spring life was In tho earth and air ; X fult within my frame strong youth. 1 saw her luce divlnolylfuir; Her heart was love, her soul was truth Alack, a day wo fell apart: It gavo mo sure a bitter pain. Alas I that wo did full apart. My heart doth nover cease complain Tho sun moves down 'hove sombre waves, A light from sky and air lias lied. How oloso tho land is marked with graves I Thun men more sweet dollghts are dead. * * The tissues of the Hfo to ho We weave with colors all our own Anil in tho field ot destiny Wo I'cuii as wo have sown. THE FRE LANCE. Among the most enjoyable occasions in the life of ordinary mortals, students included, are holidays, those oases in life’s desert where the weary traveler may enjoy a brief season of re freshment for his further journeying. As mere rests they are very beneficial, especially to those in the whirl and bustle of our American business life, and it is doubtful whether their number might not be increased with advantage. While we all view these days with pleasant anticipations, we do not often think of the pe culiar surroundings of each, of the atmosphere which encloses it and gives it a special influence. Omitting from present view the weekly Christian holiday, the healthful effects of which are invalu able, and omitting also the church festivals— Easter for example—which are not recognized by all Christians, but which probably have, never theless, a greater power here than in lands where the state recognizes them, but a state religion deadens the reverential spirit, we find that those which remain are few in number and, with one exception, readily fall into two classes, the moral and the patriotic. The exceptional case, New- Years, is neither Christian nor American but rather heathen in its character, as it was wholly heathen in its origin. Professing no more than to be a season of unmixed jollity, it has been in the country a children’s festival chiefly, but in cities a period of carousals which fashionable so ciety sanctioned or at least winked at. Within the past few years, society has looked askance on New-Years dissipation and we may well hope that it will be henceforth a season of pure social joy ousness, free from its old barbaric associations. Christmas, though primarily religious and so not specially American, may rightly be placed with that festival which is most distinctively our own, Thanksgiving, the former proclaiming “peace on earth, good-will to men,” and the lat ter acknowledging the blessings of home, and country. Thanksgiving, the national festival of the - Whittier. HOLIDAYS.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers