And blest experience kindly proves

Its mitigating power.

Then, its bright hue the sight can trace,
The brilliance of its bloom;

Though misery veil the weeping eyes,
Though sorrow choke the breath with sighs,
And life deplore its doom.

This magic flower

In desperate hour,

A balsam mild shall yield,

When the sad, sinking heart

Feels every aid depart,

And every gate of hope forever sealed.

Then shall its potent charm

Each agony disarm,

And its all-healing power shall respite give. The frantic sufferer, then,

Convulsed and wild with pain,

Shall own the sovereign remedy, and live.

The dews of slumber, now,

Rest on her aching brow;

And o'er the languid lids, balsamic fall;

While fainting nature hears,

With dissipated fears,

The lowly accents of soft Somnus' call.

Then will affection twine

Around this kindly flower;
And grateful memory keep,
How, in the arms of sleep,
Affliction lost its power.

THOUGHTS ON EDUCATION.

BY ZACHARIAH ALLEN.

HOWEVER varied are the occupations of men, one pursuit is common to all, that of happiness. The principal obstacle to success in this pursuit, is ignorance-ignorance of the rational mode of obtaining it.

Plato often repeated to his disciples, "that all vice springs from ignorance ;" and that it is a want of proper instruction alone, that can lead a man into the great mistake of following a vicious course, because it seems to lead directly to some good, greater than any which a virtuous course may promise. A practical statesman of the present age, the King of Prussia, in accordance with the doctrine of Plato, considers that no parent has a right to inflict so great an injury on society, as to bring up his child in ignorance; and has enforced by compulsory

laws on all parents in his dominions, the duty of attending to the cultivation of the minds of their children.

Euclid maintained, that knowledge only is required to direct every man in the path most conducive to his happiness, and boldly asserted the startling doctrine, deduced from this proposition, that "there is actually no necessary evil." In illustration of this doctrine, one of the most popular philosophers of our own time, Mr. Combe, observes, that under the benign influence of Christianity and revelation, the most delightful view in which the goodness and beneficence of the Almighty can be placed before us, is, that the constitution of our natures, and the moral laws by which the world is governed, are such as lead always to good when their dictates are obeyed: whereas the least infringement of them is attended by some warning, erroneously called evil. Education will teach us that all which we call evil, is in reality most benevolently designated for good, as it is a warning for our instruction, to return to, or adopt the proper course; the course prescribed by those laws; that, in fact, "evil does not, cannot exist.'

When the improvement of the mind, the source and seat of enjoyment is left neglected, it is not a

matter of surprise that dissatisfaction should be experienced by those, who with undue zeal devote their time and exertions to gaining wealth or fame, or to the indulgence of sensual pleasures. Even Solomon required the practical lessons of experience to discover, that the engrossing pursuit of them, is nothing but "vanity and vexation of spirit."

In the liberal professions, should unintermitted cares of business exclusively absorb attention, the scholar may become inferior in mental cultivation to many mechanics; and although situated on the brink of the fountain of science, he may then devote himself rather to stooping down in search of gold among the sands, than to tasting of the inspiring

waters.

To the young man, entering on the active scenes of life, with generous feelings of ambition to excel, a taste for the acquisition of knowledge renders him cheerful and happy, and proves a safeguard to preserve him from temptations to evil. Refined mental enjoyments, and gross, debasing pleasures are seldom relished by the same individual. The one or the other will speedily assume the control over the mind, which rarely acknowledges a divided empire. It is like Mohammedan fatalism voluntarily to remain in ignorance of the knowledge that may

deliver us from evil; or like the rashness of the mariner, who launches his bark to navigate the wide ocean, and neglects to make use of the discoveries of science to direct his course and to preserve him from the perils of the deep.

Theatrical exhibitions would comparatively lose their demoralizing attractions, were magnificent theatres erected for the interesting display of splendid philosophical lectures and experiments, and were men of science and eloquence recompensated with a liberality equal to that bestowed upon Opera dancers. It is only necessary to lend the aid of the charms of music and painting, in brilliantly illuminated halls, to those of eloquent public lecturers, to produce excitement on the minds of the young, and to ensure the decision of the public taste in their favor. Properly qualified, eloquent lecturers, are now wanting to minister to this improved public taste; and no professional occupation would be more productive of certain and munificent emolu

ment.

The political axiom of our republican code of government, affirming that all men are born equal, goes no further than to place men on the same footing or standing in the great race of human competition. Education, partially diffused, has the