On the breaking out of the late war, which was to form the most important phase in Lee's life, he immediately resigned his commission at Washington, with the full purpose of shar ing with his mother . State, whatever fate might befall her. Directly after handing in his re signation, Lee was elected Major General of the forces of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and surely no one was better fitted to, occupy this important position. Possessing wide experience in military tactics, as well as great ability as an engineer, it was clearly seen that the man, who was to be the great leader of the Southern army was an enemy not to be despised. Even in his 'first step into the re bellion Lee's genius shone forth with alarming brightness. Taking McClellan's vast host on the one hand and Lee's comparatively small army on the other, what could win for him such a vic tory? Or again, when McClellan had secured Lee's order of march, on which account Lee was forced to abandon his invasion into Penn sylvania, what could have prevented McClel lan's gaining an advantage while Lee was retreating, but the latter's superior general ship. Was ever an army in greater confusion than was the Union army when attacked from front and rear on the Rappahanock ? But to make such an attack it required abilities far above the average. His mastery as a general over time and place for action could scarcely be surpassed by anyone ; and such indeed was his power to deceive, his enemies, that Hooker, when he knew that the head of Lee's army was at Martinsburg and the tail on the plank road between Fredericksburg and Chan ce]lorsvi]le, feared to make an attempt to break his line of march, thinking it but a part of his strategy. The height of Lee's military fame was reached when, surrounded by foes whose re sources were inexhaustible, he still stood up bravely for the principle, which, to his heart was so dear.. THE FREE 'LAN. In conclusion we would saYAbat : Lee's abil ity as a military man exceeded that of any . other officer in either the Southern or North.: ern armies. . His generalship was always su perior. He was always ready to act on a moment's warning, and all of his movements were those of precision, supported by the best of judgement. Although he was finally corn pelled to surrender, it was clue to his being outnumbered by his enemy, who had all the supplies necessary to an army, while his own men were nearly famished, and not on account of inferior military qualities. Surely he was a soldier worthy, of an enemy's praise and doubly so, since his character was pure and untainted, A nobler man would be hard to find and it is well said he died loved by all. WHAT is it that searches out and devel opes the laws of nature set clown in the beginning by our Creator? It is science; which can be truly said to be a knowledge of the laws which govern the universe and which are but imperfectly grasped by the most powerful intellects, Man devotes his highest reasoning powers to a proper conception of the most apparent truths established by his maker, Though phenomena of nature daily occur before our eyes their cause and rel ation to one another are not nearly so evident as the fact of their occurrence, and it is science that inquires into their causes. As the mighty Amazon rolls along through dark forests, now passing over an open plain only to be again obscured by gloomy shades, so has science struggled slowly, along through the ages now lost in oblivion now coming into sight for a space of time until finally its principles have been widely and permanently diffused. The ancients, we know, were somewhat skilled in the sciences, especially the Greeks who boasted of the great Archimedes. To THE PROGRESS OF SCIENCE
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