book, "a few pieces in rhyme," but they will not gain immortality for their author. On the whole, we are sorry that Zerah Colburn has published his Life. For him, we feel less respect than before we read it, and for his father, unutterable contempt. Introductory Discourse, delivered before the American Institute of Instruction, at Boston, August 22, 1833. By William Sullivan, one of the Officers of the Institution. Mr. Sullivan states, in the first paragraph of his Discourse, its subject, which is an inquiry into the means, by which intelligence and happiness may be promoted. The consideration of this subject, involves an answer to the question, "In what manner should an American youth be educated?" The proper education of an American youth may comprise, 1st. Whatsoever pertains to his person as an animal being; 2d. Whatsoever belongs to the development and use of his understanding; 3d. Whatsoever belongs to the motives, and to the object of all the acts, which he may justly do; 4th. Whatsoever is involved in the duties of a citizen, in a free popular government. These subjects are then dwelt upon at considerable length and with much ability. Many evils are pointed out in our present system of education. Among these are the neglect of moral and religious principles, and an inordinate respect for wealth, rank, and station. The future prospects of our own country are touched upon, our duties with regard to slavery and the stand which young men are taking in society. A variety of other topics is introduced, and many valuable reflections made. The discourse is the work of a man who observes and thinks much; is liberal and patriotic in its spirit; and highly moral and religious in its tone. The following paragraphs are striking and just : By what means national perils, and sufferings can be averted, met, or remedied, and by what means the highest degree of security, and happiness may be had in a nation, must depend on human agency to some extent. But the wisest agents, in the space of time in which they can exercise power, can rarely foresee all the consequences of the measures, which they may order, or accomplish.* It might be an instructive inquiry to Americans, who have far more power to order and accomplish, for their own good, than any people have ever had, to study the course of social action, and to learn how this has been over-ruled, by the power that can order, and accomplish, throughout the long series of ages. An example may be found in the question, what the fanatical warfare, which begun with the thirteenth century, had to do with the rational liberty and equality, which are now practically known to the people of the United States? The military genius, the powers of sovereignty, the physical force, and the riches of Europe were then suddenly devoted to the remote and impracticable purpose of expelling the Saracens from the Holy Land. This was a surprising change from the desolating feudal warfare, mingled with barbarous magnificence, and abject vassalage, which had constituted, for ages, the principal elements of society. The human purpose, in this case, arose from a perverted and absurd sense of religious duty. The Divine purpose seems to have been, to change the condition of society, by giving new and better objects of desire to the human mind. Among the unforeseen consequences of the Holy Wars, as they are called, were more expanded views arising from the collisions of able minds, the enlightening and refining influences of commerce, the accidental discovery of the long-forgotten, and still admirable code * It is somewhere said, that civil government is only a course of expedients; each day bringing its own evils, which, in each day, must be remedied, if they can be; and that a statesman must content himself with doing this, if he can. But this ought not to be considered so, in this country. of Roman Law, and an ardent devotion to improving the human understanding. The paralyzing reign of the Roman Hierarchy was soon felt to be wrong and oppressive. In this state of feeling, some men, and eminently so Luther, secured to themselves an enduring fame by showing the way to break from their allegiance to the Roman Church. Here the human purpose seems to have been no more, than to escape from one sort of creed and worship, to establish others, hardly preferable, and still under a despotism not less severe than that which was repelled. The Divine purpose seems to have been, however, unperceived by the agents of that day, still further to advance the knowledge of human power, duty, and welfare; and that out of the afflictive tyranny of these days, should arise, the satisfying conception, that men can govern themselves, in their own right; and that hereditary right to rule, is unnatural and absurd. Who they were who first so conceived, and by what wonderful patience, exertion, and perseverance, this truth has become the fundamental law of our country, is the honorable distinction of American history. It may be hoped that the Divine, and the human purpose, have in our case united, and that we shall be able to prove ourselves worthy of the trust which has been thus reposed in us. It may be said, that the Divine, and the human purpose, can never accord, since the one runs through all duration of time, while the latter must be limited to a generation, or even to a day. Looking back through historical periods, this may seem to be so. Thus it may be asked, what human prescience could have given the intimation, that the present state of Europe might be, what it is now known to be; and if its liability to be what it is, could have been discerned, what human wisdom could have made it otherwise? Could any one have foreseen, that what are called the triumphs of genius in glorious war, in science, in commerce, in manufacturing industry; or the proud honors of royalty, renowned ancestry, religious devotion, ecclesiastical dignity, and national grandeur, might, in any lapse of time, bring any nation to the verge of social dissolution, threatening to reduce all that ages have been cementing, to first elements, in a single convulsion? What a state of society must that be, in which hereditary claims, long accustomed habits, the interests and prejudices of priesthood, pride, character, craving want, accumulated riches, the sense of intolerable oppression, and brutal notions of liberty, are liable to mingle at any moment, in desolating conflict! Such condition may be consistent with the Divine purpose, as some better condition may come from what seems to be appalling evil; and yet, who can doubt, that if human wisdom, and just regard for the future, had been, heretofore, applied, that such would not have been the state of any European people. Address delivered before the Horticultural Society of Maryland, at its First Annual Exhibition, June 12, 1833, by John P. Kennedy. This is a neatly, prettily written discourse, with but one striking fault, and that is the want of a general subject. The author's purpose seems not to have been to discuss any individual topic, but to write a gentlemanly address, which should contain something flattering to the taste of each class of his hearers. This whole discourse is what the prince of orators said the exordium of every discourse ought to be,—a captatio benevolentia. He judiciously commences by complimenting those who decorated the hall,-now "a wilderness of sweets,"-" a charmed grotto." In this wilderness or grotto are assembled many of his "fair towns-women, of whom it is no flattery to say, that their farrenowned beauty is the least of their attractions;" and a courtly page of smooth words is dutifully dealt out to them. The author then proceeds in the following recondite terms to state the fact, of which his hearers, probably, were not previously aware, that they had assembled early in June. "Spring has just fallen into the arms of summer the freshest green is on the fields the deepest shade is in the grove: the balmy air breathes of rural enjoyment fruits and flowers are found united in the gardens; and all that spring can furnish of the beautiful, is mingled with much that summer can supply of the delicious. The physical frame of man is yet unexhausted by prolonged heats the timely and frequent shower yet refreshes the face of earth, and no parching drought, at this season, deforms the landscape: Vertumnus has successively discarded his various disguises, and has won the prudish Pomona, and Flora is close in the train of the wedded pair." From the fact that this is the first public exhibition of the Society, Mr. Kennedy next takes occasion to speculate on the principle of association. He next compliments the Baltimore gardeners on their natural advantages, their industry and their success. The Maryland Agricultural Society next receives a doubtless well-deserved panegyric; which is followed by a flattering recognition of the public spirit which prompted the formation of the Society, which he addresses. Having thus filled up just half of the address, he occupies the greater part of the remaining half in discussing the "design of every well-regulated Horticultural Society," which he states to be "two-fold,-first, to explore and develop the useful properties of plants; and, secondly, to supply the means of procuring and multiplying the rare and beautiful vegetable productions of nature." these subjects, he makes many interesting remarks, in a lively, pure, and fascinating style. The occasion required him to magnify the dignity and importance of the horticulturist's office, which he does, in a strain so fulsome as to become occasionally rather ridiculous. This is the case with the following passage, the conclusion of which is no mean specimen of the mock sublime. On "It has been said, by some impassioned epicure, that that man is entitled to the thanks of his country, who invents a new dish. If such should be his glory, how much more signal should be the faine of the man, who, by discovering a new and savory material, should lay the foundation of twenty dishes!-who, instead of spending his genius upon another mode of combining and concocting the already known elements of good living, carries his research into the field of unexplored aliment, and brings into the kitchen some unheard-of, rich, flavorous, and healthful nutriment. What renown would await the gardener or the herbalist, who should succeed in transplanting to our soil, or who should discover, in the mould of our forests, that most boasted of all European condiments-that matchless and priceless flavorer of soups, pasties, and ragouts-that most catachrestical dainty, of which it glorifies a man to be able even to speak in our country, since it shows that he has had the benefit of the Trans-Atlantic tour-[ mean the famous truffle! Truly, that man's name should be well remembered! I can imagine with what sincere affection it would be lauded by the hungry man who sate himself down, for the first time, to a repast where this rare seasoner lent its flavor to the viands: how acute and pleasant would be the recognition of the man of nicely adjusted palate at the same banquet: how thankfully the invalid, with sickly and sated taste, would express his sense of the benefaction, when he found it reviving, stimulating and charming his jaded and capricious palate. These, I repeat, although they concern our sensual enjoyments, and furnish appliances to our baser desires, are, nevertheless, no meau glories. They contribute innocent allurements to beguile man from the knowledge of the weariness of his earthly pilgrimage; and they corroborate and fortify his body, by giving him health, and strength, and cheerfulness, and content-the better to enable him to discharge those higher and more noble offices which belong to his condition as a thinking, aspiring, and accountable being." There is nothing in the style or sentiments of this address, which demands further notice. It has many merits; but a hundred orations of equal merit, are, doubtless, issued every year from the American press. POLITICS AND STATISTICS. MAINE. Bowdoin College. The commencement at Bowdoin College took place on Wednesday, September 4. The gradu ating class consisted of twenty-seven. President Allen officiated, and delivered the oration before the Phi Beta Kappa Society on the following day. On the day preceding Commencement, an oration was delivered before a Literary Society by Dr. S. G. Howe, of Boston. Elections. The state elections were held the first week in September, and resulted in the election of Robert P. Dunlap, for Governor. The members of Congress elect and a majority of the members of the Legislature are of the administration party in politics. NEW-HAMPSHIRE. Dartmouth College. The Commencement exercises of Dartmouth College took place August 21, when the degree of A. B. was conferred on twenty-six young gentlemen. An oration was delivered before the Alumni of the College in the evening, by the Rev. Dr. Dana, of Newburyport, which is represented as being of a superior character. VERMONT. The general election of state officers in Vermont was held the first week in September. William A. Palmer, the Antimasonic candidate for governor was re-elected, and the entire Antimasonic ticket for counsellors, and a large portion of that of representatives to the Legislature also succeeded by a considerable majority. MASSACHUSETTS. Harvard University. The commencement at this ancient literary institution took place on the 28th of August. The degree of A. B. was conferred on about fifty graduates-that of A. M. on nineteen, in course. The degree of M. D. was accorded to eleven graduates of the Medical School, and that of Bachelor of Laws to four of the students of the Law School. None of the higher honorary degrees were conferred.' The annual meeting of the Phi Beta Kappa was held on the 29th of August. The Poem was delivered by Professor Longfellow, of Bowdoin College, and was distinguished by a judicious union of the lively and serious. After giving a rapid and brilliant sketch of the intellectual characteristics of what are called the dark ages, he entered into a still more interesting one of the peculiarities of our own. The prevailing modes of education afforded him opportunities for satire, which were not lost; and he concluded with a fine poetical display of the great moral objects, which all intellectual education is intended to subserve. The performance was, throughout, calculated to raise the reputation which had been previously acquired by its author. The Oration was by the Hon. Edward Everett. A considerable portion of his address was extemporaneous. The effects of education upon the social condition and the mind were illustrated with sin gular felicity; and the concluding passages, in which he dwelt upon the situation of Greece, from the period of her highest glory to her present regenerated state, were equally eloquent and beautiful. The audience followed the orator with admiration, and evidently shared his own enthusiasm. Williams College Commencement was held on the 21st of August. The degree of A. B. was conferred on twentyfive young gentlemen, and the honorary degree of D. D. upon Rev. William Cogswell, Secretary of the American Education Society. Rev. John Whiton, of Salem, N. Y., and Rev. Emerson Davis, of Westfield, were elected members of the board of trustees. The prospects of the Institution, it is said, were never better-twenty were admitted at the commencement, which number will be at least doubled at the beginning of the term. Amherst College. The Commencement Exercises at Amherst College, on the same day, were very interesting, and were witnessed by an unusually large company. The Oration by Hon. A. H. Everett, is represented as a very learned discussion of the question of the extent and perfectibility of social improvement, occupying one hour and a half in the delivery. Thirty-seven graduates received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. The admissions to the next Freshmen Class indicate a highly prosperous state of the Institution. Forty-five have been admitted, which number it was calculated would be increased to nearly one hundred at the commencement of the next term. Dedication. The Seamen's Bethel, recently erected in Boston by the Boston Port Society, was dedicated on the 4th of September. The usual religious services were performed, on the occasion. The following original Hymn, by the Rev. Mr. Pierpont, formed a part of them :: Thou, who on the whirlwind ridest, At whose word the thunder roars, Who, in majesty, presidest O'er the oceans and their shores; From those shores, and from the oceans, We, the children of the sea, Come to pay thee our devotions, And to give this house to thee. When, for business on great waters, That there 's One who heareth prayer, Visions of our native highlands, In our wave-rocked dreams embalmed, Are not to our souls so pleasant Hither, to the Omnipresent For the shadow of his wing. When in port, each day that 's holy, To this house we 'll press in throngs; When at sea, with spirit lowly, We'll repeat its sacred songs. Homeward bound!-with deep emotion, Heaved by many a tempest's strife. On our hearts and minds, that we, Anchoring in Death's quiet haven, All may make our home with thee. Ship Building at Medford. The vessels built here are all of superior quality, and always hold the first rank in the market. The first vessel launched in Medford, was built, we believe, by T. Magoun, Esq. in the year 1803. The first ship was launched July 20th, of the - following year, and called the "Medford." Since that period, the number has been continually increasing, with the increase of commerce, varying somewhat in particular years according to the demand. The whole number of vessels built at Medford since 1803, is about two hundred, one half of which were first-rate ships. The remainder were brigs and schooners. During the past three years, the number of vessels built has been much greater than for the same space of time at any former period. There are now five yards in operation, presenting a scene of stirring industry highly gratifying to all who take an interest in the prosperity of this branch of "domestic manufactures." One gentleman, Mr. Magoun, (the same mentioned above, as having built the first vessel) builds under cover of a ship-house sufficiently large to contain two ships, which is generally full-one being no sooner launched than another is commenced. Boston Post Office. It appears from a statement made by the Assistant Post Master, showing the necessity of enlarging the Post Office, that, for the quarter ending June 30, 1830, a profit was paid to the General Post Office of $12,398 17, and for the quarter ending June 30, 1833, a profit of $19,350 88; being an increase of $6,952 71. Athenæum Gallery. The whole number of season tickets sold for this popular exhibition was 4901-and single tickets 4581—making the total of 9483 holders of tickets, who have visited the gallery during the present season--and the cash receipts, exclusive of catalogues, $3596. This amount considerably exceeds the receipts of any previous exhibition. Jackson Convention. The Jackson Convention assembled in Worcester September 4, was attended by about two hundred delegates, Marcus Morton was nominated as a candidate for Governor, and James Fowler, of Westfield, for Lieutenant-Governor. Jonathan Allen, of Pittsfield, presided at the meeting: Gayton P. Osgood and John K. Simpson, were Vice-Presidents, and Jubal Harrington and John B. Eldridge, Sec retaries. Antimasonic Convention. The Antimasonic State Convention assembled at the State House in Boston, September 10, and was organized by the choice of Hon. John Bailey as President, Benjamin Hallett, of Barnstable, Thomas Chamberlain, of Worcester, M. H. Ruggles, of Troy, and Alpheus Bigelow, of Weston, as Vice-Presidents, and Benjamin F. Hallett, of Boston, and Heman Atwell, of Concord, Secretaries. More than three hundred members were present. The Convention nominated John |