almost inexhaustible means of winning others from sordid pursuits, to the contemplation of the imperishable glories of Genius and of Art.

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The value of Liberal Studies, in counteracting the influence of politics upon the individual and social character of our countrymen, deserves next to be considered. Politics is with us becoming a distinct, though not very reputable trade; the strife for power is hardly less eager than the strife for gain; a new code of political ethics has been established, for the accomplishment of pliant consciences; and, almost without an exception, the public men of both parties, and of all parties, tired of waiting for popularity to run after them, are now eager to run after popularity. Who now so intrepid as to dare to take his stand, upon grave and well defined principles? In these days of meek condescension to the will of the people, and of affected reverence for their good sense, how few care to lead public opinion aright! how many pusillanimously follow it, when they know it to be wrong! How few, alas! will forego the vulgar trappings of office for the sustaining consciousness, that by no sacrifice of principle or of dignity, did they ever seek to win them! I would fain believe

that the days of the republic are not numbered; but I am not without sad forebodings of her faté, when aspirants for popular favor are such utter strangers to the grace of an erect and manly spirit as to be solicitous rather to appropriate to themselves, at any cost, some transient distinction, than to await, with unfaltering rectitude and unforfeited self-respect, the judgments of coming times; when the man of wealth, and talent, and social consideration, outstrips the Radical, in zeal for pestilent doctrines and mischievous projects; in fine, when it is incorporated in the creed of the politician, that the people are always in the right; in other words, that public opinion is not only the standard of taste, but the keeper of conscience!

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Well might I be deemed an unfaithful advocate of Liberal Studies, if, in estimating their value, I yielded no tribute of applause to the solid provision which they make for independent individual happiness; for that happiness which is enjoyed, not so much amid the hum and shock of men, as amid the solitude of Nature and of Thought. Living in a land where "men act in multitudes, think in multitudes, and are free in multitudes," we are constantly tempted to forget the mysterious individuality of

our being; to go out of ourselves for materials of enjoyment; to fritter away our sensibilities, and to debilitate our understanding, amid the false and hollow gaieties of the crowd. I contend for no severe estrangement from the joys of a chaste and elegant conviviality; for no exclusive intercourse with forms of inanimate beauty; for no fearful communion with the mysteries of the inner spirit. But I deprecate habits and tastes which are impatient of seclusion; which destroy all true and simple relish for nature; which scorn all quiet pleasures; which abhor alike the composure and the scrutiny of meditation. As means of reforming tastes and habits thus uncongenial to virtue and to happiness, I can hardly exaggerate the importance of Liberal Studies. I ascribe to them, however, no power to teach rooted sorrow the lesson of submission; to succor virtue amid mighty temptations; to dispel the awful sadness of the inevitable hour. These are the victories of Christian Faith; the grand, and peculiar, and imperishable evidences of its power. But I challenge for Science and for Letters the noble praise of reclaiming us from the dominion of the Senses; of lightening the burden of Care; of stimulating within us the undying principles of the Moral Life.

DRESS.

BY MRS. ELEANOR B. BURGES.

SOME men pretend that dress is only meant
As a protection from the heat and cold;
In which some little vanity is blent,
Which shows itself in jewels and in gold,

Well, let their worships think so I'm contentTho' I another story shall unfold.

If this be all, the Indians in their skin

Of beast, the palm of wit and sense must win.

Their woollen manufacturers are bears,

Their colors lasting, "dyed when in the wool."
Man gives the brute a stab, and then he tears
His coat from off his back with one strong pull ;
Better than broadcloth superfine it wears,

And fits-tho' made without the tailor's rule.

If it be true that dress is but a cover,

This is the shortest method ten times over.

And more becoming too,-for then it shows
That man indeed is "Lord of the Creation,"
And gives him "l'air distingue."-Now his clothes
But mix and mingle every rank and station;
That may have been the object--for who knows
From cut or color, what's a man's vocation?
Black once belonged to priests and undertakers,
But now 'tis worn by all men save the Qakers,

Women have long been laughed at--'tis a shame ;

I'm sure there's no occasion for a smile,

If they endure it longer they are tame,

For now they have been silent a great while.

Of wit and moralist it is the aim

Fair woman from this passion to beguile;
"The vanity of dress" their ceaseless cry,
While woman has dressed on without reply.

But woman has a genius wondrous keen,
She reads in dress what sages read in stars,
She need not go beyond this world I ween,
To learn of Fate or Destiny--which bars
Or seems to bar us in. Much can be seen
In millinery shops, which helps or mars

The "March of Mind"-for upon Fashion's banner, New truths are written in a certain manner.

Now I have come to my great proposition,

Dress is a hieroglyphic of the mind!
I do maintain against all opposition,
Champollion in Egypt did not find
So deep a mystery-his supposition,
For what I know, is learnedly refined.
But for dark things we need not go to Egypt
And look on marble temples or see crypt.

No!-if you wish a puzzle look on me!
Tell, if you can, why I wear this or that?
My coat, if I have one, is thus, you see,