business of life, you cannot see it, you cannot feel it, you cannot weigh it; but it pervades the globe from its surface to its center, and moves every particle of metal which has been touched, into a kindred sensibility. 2. We hear much, at present, of the veins of gold which are brought to light in almost every latitude of either hemisphere; in fact, we hear of nothing else. But I care not what mines are opened in the north or in the south, in the mountains of Siberia or the Sierras of California; wheresoever the fountains of the golden tide may gush forth, the streams will flow to the regions where educated intellect has woven the boundless net-work of the useful and ornamental arts. It matters not if this new Pactolus flow through a region which stretches for furlongs - a wide tract of solid gold, — the jewels and the ingots will find their way to the great centers of civilization, where cultivated mind gives birth to the arts, and freedom renders property secure. 3. If we will not be taught by any thing else, let us learn of history. It was not Mexico and Peru, nor Portugal, nor Spain, which reaped the silver and golden harvest of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries,- it was the industrious, enlightened, cultivated states of the north and west of Europe; it was little Holland, scarcely one fifth as large as New England, but with five universities dotting her limited surface; it was England, with her foundation schools, her indomitable public opinion, her representative system, her twin universities; it was to these free and enlightened countries that the gold and silver flowed; not merely adding to the material wealth of the community, but quickening the energy of the industrious classes, breaking down the remains of feudalism, and furnishing the sinews of war to the champions of protestant liberty. 4. What the love of liberty, the care of education, and a • Pac'to-lus, a river of Asia Minor, celebrated for its golden sands. large and enlightened regard for intellectual and moral interests, did for the parent state, they will do for us,—giving us a temporal prosperity, and with it, what is indefinitely better, not only a name and a praise with cotemporary nations who form with us the great procession of humanity, but a name and a praise among enlightened men, and enlightened states, to the end of time. LESSON LXVI. THE LAND OF GOLD. - ANON. ¡An exercise for two voices in concert reading or speaking.] Dost thou know that bright land, in the far distant west, Casts his beams, as at evening he sinks to his rest, - Second Voice. Ah! I know-I have seen and the desolate hearth Bears me witness, how strong the allurement has been ; When the home, once so happy, is left for the path That shall lead - must I say but to sorrow, or sin. - Both Voices. Oh! home, give us home, though our destiny lies In a happy estate, or in trouble or care; Oh! home, give us home, with the friends that we prize, All our sorrows to comfort, our pleasures to share. First Voice. But the land, it is pleasant, the grove and the plain, Call they not in an accent, that never in vain, Calls the eye to the lovely, though gold it may fail? Second Voice. and the desert wide open to view Shows the dead and the dying,—the wild torrent roars, Yes, I know, In its tide bears the loved one, - his struggles are through, And his soul to the mansion of happiness soars. Both Voices. Oh! home, give us home, though our destiny lies Oh! home, give us home, with the friends that we prize, First Voice. Yet I see in the eye of the fortunate one, As it falls on the riches his labors have gained, The proud, satisfied glance, that success can alone Second Voice. I have seen the sad tear in the father's stern eye, cry, heard the orphan's lone But all mourning is vain, for the evil — is done. Both Voices. Oh! home, give us home, though our destiny lies In a happy estate, or in trouble and care; Oh! home, give us home, with the friends that we prize, All our sorrows to comfort, our pleasures to share. [Before reading this piece, let the pupil study the character of the speakers, and their language, and tell how it should be read. See 1 Sam. chap. xvii., Personation, p. 202, Rules 8 and 12, p. 184 and 194.] Goliah. Where is the mighty man of war, who dares Has he to boast? Is his bright armory Thick-set with spears, and swords, and coats of mail I grudge the glory to his parting soul To fall by this right hand. 'T will sweeten death, To know he had the honor to contend With the dread son of Anak. Latest time, From blank oblivion, shall retrieve his name, Who dared to perish in unequal fight With Gath's triumphant champion. Come, advance, David. Behold thy foe! Gol. I see him not. Dav. Behold him here! Gol. Say, where? Direct my sight. I do not war with boys. Dav. I stand prepared; thy single arm to mine. Gol. Why this is mockery, minion! it may chance To cost thee dear. Sport not with things above thee; But tell me who, of all this numerous host, Expects his death from me? Which is the man, Dav. Th' election of my sovereign falls on me. But trifling's out of tune. And tempt me not too far. Dav. I do defy thee, Begone, light boy! Thou foul idolater! Hast thou not scorned The armies of the living God I serve? By me he will avenge upon thy head Thy nation's sins and thine. Armed with his name, That ever bathed his hostile spear in blood. Gol. Indeed! 't is wondrous well! Now, by my gods, The stripling plays the orator! Vain boy! Keep close to that same bloodless war of words, And thou shalt still be safe. Tongue-valiant warrior! Touch softly, than provoke the trumpet's rage. |