1. FORMED by nature for braving the severest cold; feeding equally on the produce of the sea and of the land; possessing powers of flight capable of outstripping even the tempests themselves; unawed by any thing but man; and, from the ethereal' heights to which he soars, looking abroad, at one glance, on an immeasurable expanse of forests, fields, lakes, and ocean below him, the white-headed eagle appears indifferent to the change of seasons, as, in a few minutes, he can pass from summer to winter, from the lower to the higher regions of the atmosphere, - the abode of eternal cold, and thence descend, at will, to the torrid, or to the arctic regions of the earth. He is, therefore, found at all seasons in the countries he inhabits, but from the great partiality he has for fish, he prefers to live near the ocean. 2. In procuring fish, he displays, in a very singular manner, the genius and energy of his character, which is fierce, contemplative', daring, and tyrannical-attributes exerted only on particular occasions, but when put forth, overpowering all opposition. Elevated on the high dead limb of some gigantic tree that commands a wide view of the neighboring shore and ocean, he seems calmly to contemplate the motions of the various feathered tribes that pursue their busy avocations below, -the snow-white gulls, slowly winnowing the air; the busy shore-birds, coursing along the sands; trains of ducks, streaming over the sur face; silent and watchful cranes, intent and wading; clamorous crows, and all the winged multitudes that sub. sist by the bounty of this vast liquid magazine of Nature. 3. High over all these hovers one whose action instantly arrests his whole attention. By his wide curvature of wing, and sudden suspension in air, he knows him to be the fish-hawk, settling over some devoted victim of the deep. His eye kindles at the sight, and, balancing himself, with half-opened wings, on the branch, he watches the result. 4. Down, rapid as an arrow from heaven, descends the distant object of his attention, the roar of its wings reaching the ear as it disappears in the deep, making the surges foam around. At this moment the watchful eagle is all ardor; and, levelling his neck for flight, he sees the fish-hawk emerge, struggling with his prey, and mounting in the air with screams of exultation. 6 5. These are the signal for our hero, who, launching into the air, instantly gives chase, and soon gains on the fish-hawk; each exerts his utmost to mount above the other, displaying in these rencounters the most elegant and sublime aerial' evolutions. The unencumbered eagle rapidly advances, and is just on the point of reaching his opponent, when, with a sudden scream, probably of despair and honest execration", the latter drops his fish; the eagle, poising himself for a moment, as if to take a more certain aim, descends like a whirlwind, snatches it in his grasp ere it reaches the water, and bears his ill-gotten booty silently away to the woods. 9 'E-THE RE-AL. Relating to ether, or tne refined air supposed to occupy mosphere; here, far above the surface of the earth. the heavenly space above the at- 2 CON-TEM'PLA-TIVE, Thoughtful • WIN NOW-ING. Beating with wings. A E'RI-AL. Belonging to the air. 4 COURS'ING. Running. 8 EX-E-CRA'TION. A declaration of a wish of evil against some one; malediction; curse. MAG-A-ZÎNE'. A store-house. 5 REN-COUNT'ER. A meeting in contest; a casual combat. Pölş'ING. Balancing. LXXXVI. THE SCHOLAR'S MISSION. [Rev. George Putnam, D. D., was born in Sterling, Massachusetts, in 1807. He was graduated at Harvard University in 1826, and in 1829 was settled over the First Congregational Church in Roxbury. The following extract is from an oration before the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Harvard.] 1. THE wants of our time and country, the constitution of our modern society, our whole position, personal and relative, forbid a life of mere scholarship or literary pursuits to the great majority of those who go out from our colleges. However it may have been in other times and other lands, here and now but few of our educated men are privileged "From the loopholes of retreat To look upon the world, to hear the sound * 2. Society has work for us, and we must go forth to do it. Full early and hastily we must gird on the manly gown,* gather up the loose leaves and scanty fragments of our youthful lore, and go out among men, to act with them and for them. It is a practical age; and our wisdom, such as it is, "must strive and cry, and utter her voice in the streets, standing in the places of the paths, crying in the chief place of concourse', at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors." 3. This state of things, though not suited to the tastes * The toga virilis (manly gown) was put on by the young men of Rome on coming to maturity. and qualities of all, is not, on the whole, to be regretted by educated men as such. It is not in literary production only, or chiefly, that educated mind finds fit expression, and fulfils its mission in honor and beneficence2. In the great theatre of the world's affairs there is a worthy and a sufficient sphere. Society needs the well-trained, enlarged, and cultivated intellect of the scholar in its midst; needs it, and welcomes it, and gives it a place, or, by its own capacity, it will take a place of honor, influence, and power. 3 4. The youthful scholar has no occasion to deplore the fate that is soon to tear him from his studies, and cast him into the swelling tide of life and action. None of his disciplinary and enriching culture will be lost, or useless, even there. Every hour of study, every truth he has reached, and the toilsome process by which he reached it; the heightened grace, or vigor of thought or speech he has acquired, — all shall tell fully, nobly, if he will give heed to the conditions. And one condition the prime oneis, that he be a true man, and recognize the obligation of a man, and go forth with heart, and will, and every gift and acquirement dedicated, lovingly and resolutely, to the true and the right. These are the terms: and apart from these there is no success, no influence to be had, which an ingenuous mind can desire, or which a sound and far-seeing mind would dare to ask. 5. Indeed, it is not an easy thing, nay, it is not a possible thing, to obtain a substantial success and an abiding influence, except on these terms. A factitious popularity, a transient notoriety, or, in the case of shining talents, the doom of a damning fame, may fall to bad men. But an honored name, enduring influence, a sun brightening on through its circuit, more and more, even to its serene setting this boon of a true success goes never to intellectual qualities alone. It gravitates slowly, but surely, to weight of character, to intellectual ability rooted in principle. 1 CŎN'COURSE (kŎng'kōrs). The com ing together of many persons or things; a flocking together. BE-NEF'I-CENCE. Active goodness. pline, or to a regular course of education. 4 FAC-TI"TIOys. Unnatural; made by art; artificial. DIS'CI-PLI-NA-RY. Relating to disci- 5 GRĂV'Į-TĀTES. Is attracted. LXXXVII.-THE BATTLE FIELD. BRYANT, [William Cullen Bryant was born in Cummington, Massachusetts, November 3, 1794. He has resided for many years in or near the city of New York. His poetry is distinguished for its high finish, its lofty moral tone, and its admirable descriptions of American scenery.] 1. ONCE this soft turf, this rivulet's sands, Encountered in the battle-cloud. 2. Ah, never shall the land forget How gushed the life-blood of her brave, – 3. Now all is calm, and fresh, and still; And talk of children on the hill, And bell of wandering kine', are heard. 4. No solemn host goes trailing by The black-mouthed gun and staggering wain'; Men start not at the battle-cry;– O, be it never heard again! |