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ValEB 041,D21,a1i1a)
-"With 'sweetest flowers enrich'd,
From various gardens cull'd with care."
FOR TIIE OETTYI4BURGII STAB. AND DANNER
THEY call me mad! my lovely girl!
Because I stole one jetty curl;
Indeed!—oh yes—und raving too—
Yes mad, dear girl, in love with you!
And being mad, so sweet the pain,
I would be mad, and mad aga!n;
So pleasant is this painful thrill
1 trill be mad and raving still!
And thou didst forgo the chains for me,—
Alad-men, they say, must ne'er go free;—
Thou didst not bind me foot nor hand,
Nor touch ma with a magic wand,
But ; gently wove, with nicer art,
A flowery chain to bind my heart;
And wlwn I stole that jetty curl
From ',wing thy ringlets, lovely girl!
I laid me on the rosy bed,
On which, so thoughtless, you !Ind laid,
When Love—the little urchin
Flew near, and bade me sleep, and
Ile stirr'd the leaves—the perfumes 'ruse,
And lull'd le to 11 sweet repose ;
Ti n , wa ki ng • you, he bade VOll place—
W Irish you have done with so much gt ace—
Around my heart that little chain,
That I might ne'er uc free again!
'When I awoke, I found you there,
More lovely still, surpassing fair;
And when I press'il you in my arms,—
So glad to call, my own, such charms,—
You sweetly smil'il and seesn'd to say,
Thou art my captive, Sir, to day.'
If this, Dear Girl, a bondage be,.
I care not, Love! for Liberty;
I'll never try to set me free,
From such a keeper, Love, as thee—
For sure, with one so gently kind,
can but love the chains that bind:
For 'twas thy hand, so snowy fair,
That plac'd them, Love, so gently there!
So I'll be mad, and mad again,
That I may wear this little chain
0, I'll be mad and raving too;
Yes, mad!—in love, dear girl—with you!
GLTTYnnuncH,PA. HARRY
. AZOIlliinSS
Delivered beforelhe Plailomatkenn Society of Penn
sylvania College, on the 17th February, 1537.
By Daniel M. Smyser, A. M.
Gentlemen of the Phttourathaan Sock y:
TII e recurrence of this Anniversary, marks an
interesting epoch in the history of the Institution.
among whose literary offipring may it be its pride
us well as yours, that you arc numbered. It is
the ditty, as I trust, it will be the pleasing endeavoi
of each one among you, to mark that epo,di as the
one from which shall date much It_Jl
a pre purity,
much of thu usefulness, and much of the public
character and respectability of Pennsylvania Col
lege. By so doing, you will contribute essentially
to the common interest of the whole, and at the
same tulle most effectually promote the objects of
the literary association whose members you are.
No ingenuous youth can fur a moment brook
the idea of contributing to the dishonor and &gra_
dation of his alma alder; and yet how many, on
consciously perhaps, do that, from the deliberate
perpetration of which they would instinctively
revolt, exclaiming indignantly in the NS orthi td,
Hamel of old: ''ls thy servant a (log that he should
do this thing!" It is not merely by a course of
vicious indulgence and immoral habits that this is
effected. He, who, having once essayed to climb
the Hill of Science, pauses in his upward progres,,
and from indolence or faintheartedness induced b)
the prospect of the rugged difficulties to be sur
mounted, is content to abandon the struggle after
having attained a subordinate elevation, not only
subjects himself to ridicule and censure, but prac
tically disparages the Laeitution under whose
auspices his progress commenced and by whose
guidance it was directed. It is far better that such
un one should never.drink of the Pierian Spring,
than that he shoUld inabibp just enough of its wa
ters to intoxicate hint with arrogance and pride,
and send him forth into the world, the reeling,
staggering victim of superficial knowledge.
Let not youth flatter itself that in this arduous
ascent, it can remain stationary ut whatever point
of elevation it may choose to stop; and that if it
makes no higher attainment, it can at least preserve
in indolent security, that winch is already achic% -
ed. In the mind's improvement there is no sta
tionary point ; whenever wo do not advance, we
retrograde. Activity and motion are characteris
tics impressed upon it by the hand of Deity; and
man can as little suspend or countervail the action
of those attributes, as lie can arrestor change the
appointed course of - -
"Those planets, stars and adamantine spheres,
That wheel unshaken througt(the void immense."
The literary association whoise anniversary you
this night commemorate, is . deSigned and well cal
culated to facilitate your ascent of the "painful
steep." By promoting social intercourse, it brings
into play the kindly feelings and generous suscep
tibilities of the heart. By cherishing a spirit of gen
erous emulation withyour sister Society, it gives
an additional impulse to the elastic spirit and bound
ing energies of youth, which, accelerating and ac
cumulating- as it goes; carries them beyood many
of the difficulties which would otherwise be pain
fully surmounted; and by furnishing, the mind with
an agreeable relaxation, different from mere ani
mal repose, and yet possessing all its characteris
tics consistent with the mind's ceaseless activity,
enables youth to revert to the task of breasting
the steep ascent with powers refreshed and in
vigorated, instead of being relaxed and weaken
ed by the languor and lassitude occasioned by a
total remission of labor.
To point out some of the incentives to exertion,
and to furnish you 'ivith sonio desultory hints
whi c h by the tram of reflection and investigation
to which they point, may be useful to you in your
further efferts "•to climb the hard ascent of high
Parnassus," shall bo my object on the present
occasion.
The proper objects of all Education, primary or
collegiate, may be said to be threefoldi mortal
discipline—woral culture—and to furnish the
mind with a general stock wrful knowledge ;
for it W O st never be lost sight of that the test of Um
value of all knowledge iii its utility; or, in othcr
•rte. a tendency to aild to the general stork of
happiness, convenience. And comfort of sociaty or
of individuals.
Youth is the season of preparation for the ac
tive duties of existence. The years of infancy or
childhood are almost exclusively occupied in the
evolution of the physical powers, and in educing
those mental capacities of which nature has deposi
ted the germ. Both, however, are then too im
mature to lie capable of receiving those develop_
ments and acquiring those stores of knowledge
upon which the future usefulness and happiness of
the recipient in a great msamure depend. It is true
that hi infancy, the mind and character ordinarily
receive a bias which they retain, in a greater or
less degree,through idler hie; and therefore I would
be far from intimating that that most interesting pe
riod ofhfc should he overlooked or undervalued. But
in the point ieW ill which we ara now confetti.
plating the mind, all that Call then be done, is to
prepare it by elementary training and gradual up_
roaches, for the reception of that vnriad and im
measurable hind knowlekge, which the more
matured intellect is alone capable of graspitignind
to give such a direction to its naseentpropeusities,
as will in after life, secure their devotion to good
purposes, leaving their accumulations to riper
,ears. In infimcy, ,we lay the foundation upon
which. it is troc, the st.d.ility of the pink.• most
dapeoil; bit lii youth o n ly do we [Oar ill' Magill•
licent superstructure. on the other 'mid, if
wt. starer the latter season to puss 11111111i11INed, in
vain will we afterw arils strive to tear a durable and
harmonious fabric. We mty prufuscly decorate
it with tinsel or narbaric gold; hut o levoid or sy
metry or relation, it w ill resemble ouc of in
ro/14T110114 11.11 d piles which I le• traveller
sometimes tacos, in which all proportion is (111-
founded, and all the orders of architecture blend-
In the period of life last spoken r f, the care- , and
anxieties, the business and perph ities of the
world, w,atlicr thick and fast around us. lea Mg but
little leisure for systematic study or ::1 0 111Iii.iie ile
plirCllll.llt. Even the want of the buoy:nit inal
uncalculating temper of youth which merleaps id;
barriers in its impatient longings to reach the
goal, will br found to be it serious loss.
The iiiter‘enintg. period, then that to which root
of you have attained and beyond which you hone
nut yet passed, is the one hest tilted to lity up such
r store of general useful knowledgeois will lit von to
appear with dignity and respectability in whatever
situation of life your lot may be cast.
In the acquisition of such a store, you, gentle
men, are at preihrut engaged, muff r all the advan
tages which youth, leisure, able instructors, and a
tree access to the treasures of literature and science
which have been accumulating for tiges us it were
fir your esperial benefit, can all'ord. Great are
the responsibilities that attend—anxious are the
solicitudes that wait upon you. Highly blessed
ahove many inl:ituit.; cartb's Sons, your equals
by nature, but not equally favored by ciicuni
stances; destined al no ',ln.:: , b , t-Int day, to take
the phfees of those wir-r now sway the minds and
influence the destiny of the nation, and to act in
turn your parts on life's busy theatre—with all
the means at hand to prepare you to act those
parts well, your country will have reason to ac
cuse you of a treasonable abandonment of her in_
terests, as well as a shameful dereliction of your
own, if you disappoint the remonable expectations
that are formed respectim; your future career. Do
not fall into the vulgar error of supposing any par
ticular department of k now beyond your reach
because at present, the path to it may seem to be
hoset with apparently insurmountable difficulties.
With each onward step you take, the difficulties
which now appear so formidable in prospect,
one by one disappear, until ultimately you will
grasp the object, and wonder amid your glad
folicitations upon your success, that you should
ever have desponded. Fur such is the expansive
nature of the human mind, and such its eliuticity
and power of distension, that each acquisition, in
stead ui contributing to fill its capacity, only serves
to enlarge it, aftmling in this respect no unlit em
blem of eternity, in which the lapse of innumerable
ages does not advance us one step nearer to its
termination; and thus the mind p' uses on from
step to step, and from one achievement to another,
its capacity still enlarging and its desires still un
satiated, uotil it has reached the utmost confines
() Crime; an d then, . :Ling less; thew Dernity
can till the desires of an immortal ::Frit, PasiCti
into the eternal world, and there continues the
same progression in infinite series, forever approx
itnating nearer and nearer to thu infinite filial
gence of the Divine mind,its advancement in hap
piness hearing a proportionate rehition to its pro
giess in knowledge.
We think we arc warranted in drawing the con
clusion that such will be the delightful einployment
of the soul in a future state of existence. In all
the manifestations of the power and wisdom of
God, in the administration of the Universe, so far
as our knowledge extends, we invariably see the
means employed admirably adapted and nicely
proportioned,to the end to be accomplished. This
may be said to be an universal principle.—Thus,
for exatnplo, whilst we know that all flesh is rnor-
tal and all the works of men's hands crumble and
decay, wo do not see tho Almighty arousing the
slumbering Volcano, or summoning the Earth-
quake fiend from hie fail, when, under ordinary
circumstances an individual is called to pass
"that dread bourne front whence no traveller re
turns," or the pride of a monument or column is to
be abased. No lightnings flash—no meteors play
—no thunder reverberates through the -vault of
Heaven, when the wicked man ceases from his
troubling, or the good man Is 8 1 / 1 11111011Cd to his
rest. But when natiors are plunged in gross im
piety and idolatry, and God wishes to make a ter-
riblo example of such, as a peipetuA warning to
others of what thoso are to expect ‘yho despise his
majesty and defy his power, then the earth yawns
and opens—the Volean,o's tires burst forth with all
the terrific violence of their repressed energies—the
artillery of Heaven is heard—the dark cloud and
the lightning's red flash struggle fitfully in the
o'erhanging vault—the windows of Heaven are
opened—and •Mire and brimstone from the Lord
Out of heaven" descend upon the devoted cities of
the plain! Again, no special Providence appears
necesgary to crown with plenty the remit:llin% ,
board of the widow and ti , e orphan; but when the
divine mission ofEmsnA is to be authenticated,then
we belt . al.ittlte cruse of oil miraculously multiplied,
mid 00 - 1 - devouring grave, at the prayer of the
prophet, compelled to give np the Shunarnite's Ron
If, then, Goa h. 1.4 Ltiven to the mini of min this;
"I WISH NO OTHER HERALD, NO OTHER SPEAKEIt OF MY LIVIN4 , ACTIONS, 'EO 'KEEP MINE HONOR FROM OORRUPTION.."-81IAKEI.
(02 21,r ala UPLI..ItUZrZ it autootzcare o aLtianal sy, awric,
else will we find passages equally distinguished
for deep and touching pathos, or high and terrible
sublimity!
Another object claiming your attention, secon
dary to this primary one, has been already refer
red to, and was stated to be the acquisition of as
large a fund of useful knowledge as practicable.—
not arranged with reference to any particular oc
cupation or profession which in after lift, you may
embrace.—They are intended to form a fit ground-
work for all or any. Just as the artizan or me-
chanic collects beforehand a stock of raw material
well prepared aid seasoned, which he afterwards
works up into such forms as interest dictates or
the public demand requires. Now, it is perfectly
evident that the vulue of his connuodities in the
market, will mainly depend on two circumstances
—firstly, the excellence of the matcrial—und se-
courtly, the skill with which they are wrought.—
So, gentlemen, the stock of knowledge now auras_
sed by you, if judiciously selected and properly
applied, will ever after be ut your disposal, to be
drawn forth and used, as you shall have need: and
doubtless, in after life, you will often have occa
sion.to observe and admire how particular ewer.
gencies, by striking on some hidden and long for
gotten chord, revive a train of associations which
will recal to your memories and enable you suc
cessfully to apply, principles partially disused and
forgotten, and the applicability of which to any
practical purposes, may hate appeared to you
when first presented, at least problematical. The
poet displayed his knowledge of human nature,
when he exclaimed in the language of poetry and
• t
desiie as well as capacity to advance in knowWko
iu infinite progression, a desire and capacity which
Time is obviously incapable of fulfilling; and if we
see no waste of means in any of the other acts of
Clod's administration of the Universe, how shall
we esear the atuibution to him, of such waste in
reference to the most important of his works, the
human, soul 011 any other hypothesis than that
which assumes that those desires and capacities,
but partially developed and gratified in this life,
shall receive their full enjoyment and fruition in
the next?
From the existence of this characteristic quality
of the mind which we have been contemplating,
some important results may ba deduced. In the
first place, if the mind is thus highly gifted, those
gifts are designed by the bountiful giver to be im
proved. If so, it follows that that improvement is
your duty who are the recipients. If you fail in
this, wherein are you laver than the slothful and
unprofitable servant who buried his Lord's talent
in the ground!
It can never be supposed that the high ;lualifi
eatious and capabilities conferred upon man, were
intended to lie dormant in his mind, there to rust
fruin disuse and moulder away in inanition. To
Sill/110:W SO, wen. to attribute nicasurele,s fully to
infinite Wisdom, and boundless prodigality to
Eternal Justice. Will you, then, as s umo the re_
..perisibility of striving to contravene the purposes
of Deity? Will you stoop to the deep, abject de
basement of becoming the loathsome li% fug charnel
house of all that is noble and great and exalted
in the
It is, furthermore, your duty so tp employ your
talents and opportunities as most effectually to pro
incite your OWII haprovetnent and the good of your
fellow men. This, in the season of probation and
preparation through which you are now pas•ting.
piti will best accomplish by the ,ic:pisition, firstly,
of correct moill principles; and secondly, as here
tofore stated, by Itretimulating in the recesses of
the mind a sure of well digested infitrination, to
as ! , a-iis for further improvement. hereof
ter. For the attainment of the first it will be
nece,sary for you to adopt and keep steadily be
fore pan. iy Ls, sonic authentic and approved stan
dard.
In the formation of moral character, as %veil as
in ti n Gaining of the body and the conduct of the
understanding, nothing permanently good can be
elli.cted without system. The good resolutions,
or principles, (if they deserve the name ) which
are the offspring of mere impulse or enthusiasm,
however amiable in theme Ives and tending to
good, are transient and fickle, liable to be modified
if not wholly laid aside, on mery change of cir
cum:4ll7lo,s. They can never be relied on under
those emergencies of difficulty or strong tempta
tion, when moral principle is most valuable and
necessary. In order to citron' a sure standard of
character and safe rule of conduct, they musL be
the result of conviction induced by deep reffec
liom, nunaelvog and relation
to Clod and 011 C ii/Rntier.
May I be permitted, gentlemen, without being
accused of cant, to refer you respectfully and re
verently, to the Book of Books---TnE BIBLE—as
containing the best and most perfect system of
ethics ever devise I? There you have a moral code,
perfect in all its parts, and bearing the broad seal
of Dedy as its attestation and sanction.
An acquaintance with its sacred pages, should
he crnsidered a necessary part of the education of
every selmlar—and was not deemed unworthy of
their attention by such giants in philosophy and
learning, as a 1 tw Tel.:, a Lock K and many others
that might he named. Item; , mber that the object
of all intellectual culture, of all the studies you
pursue, and all the acquisitions of knowledge you
may he permitted t make, is to enable you the
better to discharge your obligations as moral and
accountable beings. That pride of intellect, then,
that scorns to draw from the fountain of inspirit_
tion, is the ow I ,,in g alone of the grossest iguor.
;nice and the nto.4 contemptible vanity.
Even irrespective of its divine character, the
Bible presents singular claims upon the attention
of the mere man of letters. If the famous ap
othegm of Ditavvstits of Hamc•ntvAssus be
true, that "History is Ph%sophy teaching by
examples," then is the 'Bible a perfect system of
Philosophy—fir in no other historical work that
I ant acquainted with, do we lidd as iinpressivi
examples of vice and lirtue, wisdom and folly, or
of the inseparable connection between crime and
punishment. It', again, we seek to tinatorniz the
heart of man, and to trace with curious eye, filo
variona avennea that lead to and from it, here
too, the spirit of philosophical inquiry will re-
ceive its full gratification. If our object ho to
cultivate the fancy, improve the taste and refine
and elevate the tone of the imagination, where
The studies comprised in a collegiate course, are
"Quo semel est intbuta recens, scrvubit odorem
Testa diu
But even if no 3Lich connection be tre.eezble, it
must not be supposed that the influence of your
present studies will be altogether unfelt in tho
future years of your existence. The mental dis
cipline they establish—the moral culture they pro
remain, even after their details are for
gotten. Mathematical science trains the mind to
habits of patient thought, close investigation and
minute analysis, the basis of all correct reasoning.
Geology and Mineralogy, by unfolding to man's
view the hidden treasures of the earth, enables him
by their successful application to the purposes of
life, to add inconceivably to the sum of his wealth
power and enjoyment. Astronomy enables
to scale the very Heavens, and soaring
sublime
Upon the Seraph-wings of extacy,"
to ascertain the number, order and arrangement
of the Imivei;ly bodies; and as he treads.the milky
way, or thes from planet to planet and orb to orb,
he finds, in each remove, new and irrefragable
proof that Ow suns and syntems that compose the
Universr, are the work of a hand divine. Mural
philosophy teaches man his duties, and acquaints
him with the reasons whence they derive their
obligation. Whilst in history, the mind, ever on
the wing for improvement, and agitated by a rest
leaS longing which inves , antly leads it to pry into
the secrets of Time and in , • Agate the mysteries
of Futurity, can whilst enj•iying the present, like
wise revel on the past. annihilate Time, and grasp
what may almost be called a faint emblem of Om
. ni,:cie•rce. The orators, philosophers and poets of
antiquity. alike with the Ave crowned statesman
whose delight was in peace and the laureled hero
whose arm has wielder' the thunder of battle,whose
eye beam'd coupictit, and whose hand pointed the
way to victory, a long illustrious band, are mar- I
Muffled for his inspection: end retracing step by
step, the intricate inaze of ry,istence with the clue
of History in his hand, he can develop the pro
gress of human passion and intellect, and bring to
light events which the tide of ages had vainly
sought to whelm in the gulf of oblivion. -
It is, you know, a trite and hackneyed saying
that ' , knowledge is power." This it is which
gives to civilized man his superiority over the rude,
untutored barbarian. Their physical powers—
their mental adaptations may be the same: hut for
want of knowledge to elicit and give them their
proper development, the latter sinks immeasurably
below the former, in the scale of rational creation.
The civilized man,for example, is brought to know
his true position, individual and relative, in the
scale of beings, anti hence to a knowledge of the
reciprocal rights and obligations which those rela
tions impose: noel where such knowledge is want
ing, all writers on the subject agree, civil liberty
cannot long exist. Bence a nation that is enlight
ened, cannot long be held in bondage; and hence
also, the best method to preserve liberty,is to diffuse
intelligence as universally as possible among the
I , coi•le. ....ad are you to tLittk that what thus chi-
rates MAD above the level of the barbarian—what
is thug the very Palladium of Liberty, is of small
1111.1 C Caine! 1tt1ry,,,..A......-.4.b.uub....tm
tructed ignorance is not for you.
If it be true, then, that knowledge and civil lib
erty are thus reciprocally connected, you cannot
fail to perceive the obligation this imposes on you,
as patriots, as good citizens, as largely the reel!)
ents of your country's favors, to strive by all allow
able means, to further her welfare and guard her
liberty. The means of acquiring knowledge are
placed abundantly within your grasp; you have
it in your power to lit yourselves to act important
parts in promoting her welfare, and diffusing a
knowledge and a love of her free institutions; and
also, from the influence always accorded to supe
rior knowledge, to do much to suppress the turbu
lent and licentious who seek to innovate upon
them. Vour country looks anxiously towards
yon, and expect:; that those means will Wol be mis
applied.
cain, if the fame of genuine patriotism burns
right Nvithin your hearts, (and I will net do you
he injustice of supposing that with so much to
feed it, it can ever die,) you will let no difficulties
impede, no dangers appal you in the noble effUrt
to renderyottrselves worthy of being ranked among
Freedom's chosen. True patriotism sports with
difficulties and laughs at perils. Like the Grecian
tire, it burns more fiercely with every cflbrt of the
waves to quench it. Like earth-bmn Anieus it
f'4.2:1, Av.‘,.. fits;
"Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass,
Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron
Can be retentive to its strength of spirit."
This ever glowing, still resilient principle, car
ries with it the pledge and guarantee of its own
reward, in the glory which ever crowns its exer
tions, and the lofty, generous emotions it inspires
—a glory, independent of and above success; emo
tions which the selfish, the sensual and the base
can neither tmderstand nor appreciate.
Do you want yet other stimulants to urge you
forward in the honorable career that lies before
you! They are at hand. No trophies are as im
perishable, no monuments so durable, no laurels
SO unfading, as those which the mind furnishes.—
Scan the history of the past, and what does it tell
of the fate of the most magnificent creations of the
material world! Troy, where is she? The mighty
Babylon, who can tell her site! The glory and
power of the eternal City, what are they but a
dream that is o'er, a shadow that has fled? The
pomp of triumphs and ovations no longer rolls
along the via Sacra ; the tent of the Arab, or per
haps the mosque of the Moslem, now occupies the
Scoan'gate; and the foot of the infidel insults the
tomb of Laonsedon! But the labors of the philoso-
pliers, and historians, the orators and the poets of
antiquity, are as impemhable as the mind whence
they emanated. The glory of EPAMI NON DAS, the
virtues of Pii oc row, and the matchless self-devotion
of LEONIDAS; are consecrated to immortality in the
historian's page; and the eloquence of Tull.:,
beneath which the shrinking spirit of a guilty C.l7`.
ILINE, cowered with conscious infamy, and of
DEMOSTHENES, arousing Greece as ono man, to
resist the Macednnian tyrant—still. 'lives and
breathes in.our ears, when the Forum and the
Acropolis have long since mouldered into dust!
Again, gentlemen, you may find in the history
of the men and the times of your own country, a-
bundant materials to arouse your ambition and
excite your emulation. There you see n FRANK-
Lt N, the east-away of Fortunc,but the adopted child
of Genius, subduing the very elements to his will,
and playing familiarly with the forked lightnings
as with a toy: a FutToN by a novel application
of a.still more novel principle; asserting a suprem
acy over the winds and the tides savoring strongly
of the fabalotis marvels of tho ancient mythelo.ly,
and connecting the most distant lands by the ties
of almost daily intercourse; a WASHINGTON, hail
ed by universal acclamation, ns "first in mar, first
peace, and Arst in the hearts of his country
; men." Why should I array before you the other
worthies, a numerous and shining host, who have
shed lustre on the councils, the arts, and the arms
of our infant nation! If Greece could boast her
Demosthenes, Rome her Cicero, and England her
Chatham, America can point with equal pride to
eat .Imes, a Henry, a Webster and a IVs•:. The
military character of a Washington, a Green, a
Jackson or a Scott, may well vie with those of a
Cicsar, an .. , lAre-sitalts, a Marlborough or a Tar
cane; whilst in the science of jurisprudence, of
all others the most important, wo may challenge
for a Marshall, a Tiigham, a Story or a Gibson,
an equal niche in the temple of fume, With
land's Manlields and Camdens.
Is not a country which, in scarce half a century's
polnical existence, has given birth to such an array
of talent in almost every department of usefulness
one of which you may well be proud! And art
nut the political institutions under which their tal
ents and intellects were matured and developed,
well worthy.of being carefully studied and vigi
lantly guarded! The heart that does not bound—
the bosom that does not throb—the spirit that does
not feel itself stirred up from its inmost depths with
nn voliNening influence, at the contemplation of
these bright exemplars, is unworthy to be the abode
of Freedom!
Let these shining examples stir up in you a
spirit of generous emulation. Be not deterred by
the apparontly unapproachable excellence of the
models I have placed before you. binder a free,
republican Constinition like ours, no dignity is un
attainable, no e - Xcellence inimitable by those who
will make the eflort in a proper spirit of persever
mire and determination. fl ere' the field of compe-
tition is thrown open to every competitor, and the
avenues to distinction Are barred to none. Enter,
then, that proud arena; crowd those glittering,
avenues; with honor for the prize, and immortality
the goal, whose is the craven dastard spirit that
would shrink.?
True, you may not all become Marshalls or
Washingtous. But what then? Know ye not
that every attempt, (even though unsuceessfull,)
to rival excellence, makes us more and more akin
to it; and by constantly presenting for our content-
plation that which is exalted and noble, tends to
enlarge the mind, purify the heart, correct the
principles, and give dignity and elevation to the
character of the generous aspirant? And who,
after all, shell pretend to say that among the
youthful band I um now addressing, there may not
he some fledgeling Milton, destined hereafter to
"plume his eagle flight" to the ethereal regions of
divine poesy: Some embryo Washington, Already
marked out by the hand of Omniscience, his coun-
ry's nom thraldom and bondage! r say
tot theso things to nourish pride or presumption
n your hearts. but to illustrute and enforce the nn
portant truth that although all 'Ol you wtlt not;
there are none among you who may not aspire to
reach the most exalted eminence.
But, gentlemen, I fear I have already trespassed
too long upon your patience. The nature of my
home is my apology.. It is an inexhaustible, and
ome a highly interesting one. such it should
also be to you. Let me trust that you Will so re
ceive and appreciate it, and that the brief interval
of communion we have enjoyed together this even
ing, will not be altogether without a salutary in
fluence upon our future lives; for then I shall have
the delightful assurance that my feeble exertions
have not been entirely fruitless, nor your attention
been bestowed altogether in vain.
Pursue, young gentlemen, with diligence and
zeal, the pleasing and honorable path that lies be
fore pm. Strive ever to make yourselves worthy
of the numerous blessings with which a bounti
ful Providence has filled your cup and caused it
to overflow. Remember that ore long, -the des
tinies of your country, and with them, the best
hopes of Freedom, will be in a measure confided
to your hands. May you ever cherish the sacred
deposit, vindicating it by your counsels, and if
need be, defending it with your blood; and when
the Inst trump shall sound, when the Heavens
shall display their sulphurc.ii,. canopy, and this
Earth dissOlve and melt away with fervent heat,
then may the Genius if Liberty, emerging from
amid the uproar of contending elements, and
kneeling at the footstool of her God, present your
names inscribed among the best, the noblest of her
sons, the brightest gems in her diadem of Glory!
From the Wyoming Republican
A Dioaster Tried.
Messrs. E ITLIIIS••-•-1 often amuse myself during
these long winter evenings, while by my fireside,
with reflecting upon the many incidents that took
place when f wits a boy, and among many others
I would relate one unhappy circumstance that oc 7.
curred during the Revolution, with an old preach
er and his congregation, for the amusement of your
young readers, which you may put m your paper
if you see proper. This preacher by the name of
Word, appointed a meeting in a barn one Sunday
morning, which Qtsyery common then, as it has
been in this country since I have been here. Col.
Sheldon had a regiment of light horse stationed
in the neighborhood, and a company of them was
sent down on n scout on Saturday evening, and
returned Sunday morning before day; and as they
were out of danger of the enemy, they turned their
horses in the'ineadow, and went into this barn,
not knowing of any appointment for a meeting,
and all crawled up into a bay mow and went to
sleep. Mr. Word and his congregation met nt the
time appointed, and commenced the meeting by
singing which awakened the horsemen; they found
they were caught, and thought to lie still and get
the good of the meeting as well as the rest. Word
was in the habit of preaching fire and brimstone
to his hearers,too much so,his own church thought,
to be profitable; but the old man got much engag
ed, and went on in his own way preaching up ter
ror to the wicked, and reminding them of the
day of Judgment, whiel was nigh at hand. "And
who of you can stand in that great and awful day?
Is t' •re one in this barn? ;Yes! Mere is one—l
can stand the test—l should not be daunted if the 1
Angel Gab-iel should blow his trumpet this mo
ment for the ends of the earth to come together."
The horseman's trumpeter,who was now in the hay
mow, right over his head,thoughtthis a good time
to try the old man's faith; sa ho gave a loud blast
[VOL. 7--NO. 51.
on his trumpet. The old man started from alto
bench he stood on,and made but two or three bounds
before he cleared the barn. Seeing the old man
making off, :4 tarted the whole congregation, they
thought if he could clear himself probably they
might and every , one for himself. Some of the
young men, being more spry than the old man, ho
had not got more than out of the door before they
run against hilmand tramped him in the dirt. The
children were strewed about the barn floor; some
of the ladies bonnets flew in all directions; eioino,
bawled and sonic fainted. There was a very thrifty
field of corn growing before the barn and the con.
gregation tramped down half an acre before they
could be brought to their right senses. My mother,
sisters, uncles and aunts all belonged to the Sarno
church; and it made a great talk among the profett
Hors of religion. Well disposed people were mor
titled,. and the wicked made it their sport. • I. can
not think it was any thing to try the old man's faith,
nor a prtiof of has religion; it only triedlis nerves,
with all the rest. There is no doubt but that every .
person was struck with the thought that they wore
called to judgment.
-••••••• A e•--
SATISFACTION.- A Paris paper says that
a duel was lately fought between a barrister
and a merchant. The rain fell in torrents,
but being men of spirit. the combatants
took off their - coats and fired twice of each
other without hitting, when the matter was
settled. In a fortnight afterwards both
died of inflammation of the chest!
Nrw PERIOUICAL.--The publishers of
the Metropolitan have it in view, to corn
[nonce with Ntr. VAN BUREN'S administra
tion, the publication ofri political and literary
Magazine, in the City of Washington.which,
in the former department, "will be devoted
to the advocacy of democratic principles,
and in the latter, wilt be rendered, as far us
a liberal use of means and the co-erratical
of some of the best writers in the country
can efli!ct it, creditable to the Vaned States
and fit to cope with similar periodicals in'
England."
THE Cora•' or INarrnY.--.A. letter from
Frederick (Md.) states that the Qouit of
Inquiry have reaffirmed ail their opinions
in the case of General Scott, and adjourned
sine die. So much for the dictation of the:
Executive.
Gao. W. DIXON.—This notorious "Buffo"
singer has again, for the fortieth time, got
himself into trouble. Heretofore his skill
ful address ha. enabled him to escape ,
anY
very severe punishMent for his offences, but
in the present case the charge against hitii
'eke(' n character so serious that we appro.
fiend he will find great dill - Mary - in escaping
an apprenticeship in the Penitentiary.
It appears that some twelve months or.
more ago while Dixon resided in Lowell, he
was sued for debt--that Kimball, the depu
ly who served the writ, gave him a bail
bond, that he might obtain sureties for his
appearance at court. This he did or pre.;
tended to do. In due course of time, (they
never obtain judgment in a civil action in
Middlesex to less than a year, on Account of
the large number of cases on the docket)
execution caire out, and the bondsmen Were
sued; Itflien In, and behold! they both came
forward, together with the person whose
name was signed as a witness, and dec!ared
the whole a forgery--that they had never
given their names to any paper of the kind.
Dixon was then arrested by the sheriff •of
Lowell, on a charge of forgery, and carried
to prison to await his trial.
The "Buff() Singer," we regard as one of
the greatest humbug's of the age, and we
apprehend that it will he a matter of no re
gret in the community in which he has re
sided, his career in humhugery has
been arrested.—Sut. Even. Post.
A gentleman, whose name was supposed
to be G• CAMPTON, arrived In the stage*
Chambershurgh, Pa. on the evening of tlixt; i '
20th ult. in ill health, and took lodgings at
CULBERT,SON'S lintel. He became suddew.. ; , ...
ly worse, and died in the course of twenty-
four hums. From his papees, it is supposed
that he resided in Chariton, Missouri. The'
Chatubersburgh Whig states that Mr. Cl7fr
nEwrsort obtained for him ell the aid and
comfort in his power, and that the remains
of the deceased were decently interred in
the Presbyterian Church yard. -
LAW SUITS.—The law, says Alex. Ste
vens—"the law is our liberty, and it is a
happy thing that we have the liberty of go
ing to law." The advanto.e or happiness
, sometimes arising out of thi;liberry, :s finely
illustrated in the result of a case lately de
cided in the last resort, between two parties
living at Dover, N. H. The amount ori
gamily in dispute was the value of a "small
calf." and the costs which accumulated on
both sides in the course of the trial, amount
ed to upwards of two thousand dollars.
The corporate zr,:t [rarities and citizens of
Lancaster, Pa. celebrated the Twenty So.
cond by a good work. The water works
winch have been in progress fr some time
in that city, and aro , just completed, were
put to use for the first time on that day.—
There was a procession of the citizens to
the great reservoir, at the eastern lintit of
the city, and the arrival there of the water,
brought in pipes truen the Conestoga, wile
hailed by the assemblage with "three times
three."
• A hotelier, on his deatii•hed, said to his
wife; "Ilearkee, Molly, if 1 die, you must
merry John, our journeyman; he hare very
good lad; and in our business bueh a ono is
absolutely necessary."—"Huaband,(replied
the wife) take you no concerti; 1 have been
before hand .with you; 1 Race airaoly be
spoke him."
RE VOLUTIONER.