trace the hand of nature's agent in the outlines of her vast machinery. And by his familiarity with a few terms and a few facts, he will be able to read such lessons of wisdom, as he meets on nature's page to the intelligent understanding of his co-travellers-giving to each landscape a tongue, and a voice of wisdom to every hill. The geological developements he is able to trace in one country will enable him to compare it with the recorded outlines of other countries, and thus exhaustless subjects of useful thought and exhilirating conversation are opened to the traveller by the keys of geological science.

Meteorology, is also destined, I am pleased to believe, at no distant day, to add new delights to our journies. The scientific traveller will soon learn to survey the atmosphere with as deep an interest, as he now surveys the earth. Fact on fact will yet unfold laws which have eluded the vigilance of past ages, and put us in possession of those things, in relation to meteorology, which other ages waited for, and sought, but never found. And thousands of those wonders which ride upon the wings of the wind, will lend their laws to enlighten and cheer, instead of bewildering and terrifying the beholder. Thus may every thing bestowed upon the human mind, by the munificence of science minister to the improvement and utility of our friendships.

Who does not know the untold difference in travelling associates? Who cannot remember the advantages of science in lending charms to scenery, and beauty to nature, when the kind

voice of a friend has spoken to us of the scientific claims of the object of our attention? How eagerly is the company of the scientific friend sought by those who have a relish for the enjoyments of intellect !

But it is not alone in the journey, or in the walks and rambles of those who love nature that science extends and multiplies the resources of friendship. The studious under all circumstances, have more to communicate than the mentally idle; the learned more than the ignorant. The long evening hangs heavily upon the illiterate. A few topics of general conversation, without interest or utility, are soon exhausted, and sluggish idleness ensues, and hours of tedious indifference become a burden instead of a bliss. But all who have advanced to the vestibule of the temple of science know the inexhaustible riches she can furnish to the repasts of friendly intercourse. Hence enlightened, intelligent and generous friends seldom become weary of mutual society. Funds of rich lore are unfolded as they discourse and the intellectual banquet increases in excellence, as the guests continue to regale. These few hints may serve to suggest some of the benefits of science to friendly intercourse and conversation.

Fourthly. Science elevates friendship. It elevates friends, and of course, by so doing, it elevates and exalts friendships, and makes them vastly more delightful. If we glance at the history of those men who have been distinguished in the walks of science, and note their relations to and friendships with their fellow-men we may

form something of a correct judgment on this head. Take, for instance, our own illustrious Franklin, and his scientific friends. Were not their friendships of a higher order, than those of illiterate minds can be? Do not such men find a higher and more blissful enjoyment in their friendly intercourse, than do the uncultivated? Certainly. When two such men, as was Franklin, meet in friendship, it is like the confluence of two mighty rivers, sparkling and sublime. But the advantages which science in this respect, confers upon friendship, are not confined to the few who excel their fellow-men. All who improve their talents in the study of science, according to the opportunity with which they may be favored, will find their enjoyments proportionably increased and sublimated. So that if they are not, as the present Chief Magistrate of Massachusetts, Mr. Edward Everett is sometimes called, a walking encyclopedia, they may not be in the condition of the illiterate wife, who, finding that her literary husband neglected her for the pleasure of his books, wished herself a book, that she might enjoy a share of his affections. We may all furnish ourselves with enough of fact and enough of science to elevate the value of our company and be prepared to deal in the treasures of intellect with reciprocal advantages to ourselves and associates.

Fifthly. I think it is not disputed, that the tendency of science is to refine the human feelings, and develope the high moral sentiments of our nature. Too much of purity cannot be mingled in the composition of our friendships. And

as it is the nature of those beautiful truths which science unfolds to captivate and cheer the heart of man, so it is their nature to rectify and purify it. Order, propriety and economy every where meet the attention of the pupil of nature, and a sense of the beautiful gains upon his senses as he contemplates the symmetry and adjustment of all natural objects. And though we may be interested in viewing and investigating instances of natural deformity and constitutional imperfection, yet, I think, it will not be denied that this interest arises principally from the fact that these few exceptions to general order, strengthen the effect of propriety almost universally met in the fields of science. A love of order is one of the prominent traits of a good and amiable mind; and we may generally expect to meet refinement in the mind that possesses it. And so far as science promotes this love of order, we may safely calculate that it contributes to the refinement of friendship.

Lastly, Science, in its legitimate effects upon our minds leads to modesty. An inordinate estimation of self seldom accompanies real science in the same mind. Every scientific mind will be conscious of its circumscribed powers, and feel how limited are its faculties of research. It will be generally willing to concede the claims of others, and thus exclude envy, the bane of friendship.

These humble remarks are submitted to the consideration of the Lyceum, hoping they may afford encouragement in some good degree to the objects for which it exists.

A LECTURE

On the Comparative Advantages of Classical Literature, and Abstract Science.

I shall shape my remarks with reference to the following proposition or inquiry:

any

"Will of the members of this Lyceum, furnish an essay or lecture on the comparative advantages of Classical Literature, and Abstract Science?"

In compliance with this request, I have been honored with an opportunity of making a few remarks before the Lyceum on the subject generally, which, it is understood, will be followed by a discussion of the merits of the question, involving a comparison of "Classical Literature and Abstract Science."

By Classical Literature, in the terms of the question, I suppose we are to understand the Greek and Latin Classics; or, in other words, the study of those languages, and the works of the best antique authors who wrote in them.

On the other hand, by "Abstract Science" may be intended those Sciences which embrace mental perceptions only, or relate solely to mental exercises, abstracted from the republic of letters, and disconnected with the material world; or at least comprehensible by the mind alone, without the perceptions of the senses.