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beings, like differences among neighbors, are commonly the subject of arbitration, and amicable settlement. Owing to the improvement in the sciences, and particularly the application of steam, to locomotive engines, the remotest countries are brought in a manner near to each other, and frequent communication among their respective inhabitants, begets a spirit of friendship, which is cemented by mutual interests. By this means also, knowledge is greatly increased, and the quiet and happiness of the world in the same degree, promoted and secured.

No man is perfectly satisfied with the sum of knowledge he has acquired, and it is not desirable that he should be, for the very moment he becomes so, there is an end to his improvement. The pleasure of acquiring new ideas with every new source of information, furnishes a constant incentive to study, contemplation, and consequent increase of wisdom. As we have said before, we may soon run through all the round of sensual enjoyments; but the fountains of intellectual pleasures can never be exhausted, and he who drinks fhe deepest, derives the greatest satisfaction therefrom.

It is supposed by some, that our Creator looks with peculiar complacency upon such of his creatures as are the most assiduous in the study of his works; and the idea is not unreasonable; for what more acceptable homage can be paid by man to his Maker, than the constant admiration of his works, and the never ceasing search after truth, of which he is the essense. Nor can we form any more exalted notion of the employment of heavenly beings, than a constant progression in knowledge-a nearer and nearer approach to that Being who is the fountain of wisdom.

Man, may look through nature up to nature's God; nor is the page of wisdom hidden from any one, although it is true some have more advantages in its perusal than others. All admit the propriety of pursuing knowledge, but many, because their early education has been neglected, and they have passed the first flush of youth, despair of making any progress, and give up all idea of improvement, although perhaps independent in their circumstances. For the encouragement of such, we will cite a few instances of men who at a late period of life, have acquired such a degree of knowledge, as will make them celebrated to the end of time, in the world's history.

Cato at eighty years of age, learned the Greek language; and Plutarch when between seventy and eighty, commenced the study of the Latin.

Bocaccio was thirty-five years old, when he commenced his studies in polite literature. Yet he became one of the three masters of the Tuscan dialect, Dante and Petrarca being the other two. At an extreme old age, Socrates learnt to play on musical instruments, as a solace to his declining years.

Sir Henry Spelman neglected the sciences in his youth, but commenced the study of them when he was between fifty and sixty

years of age. After this time he became a most learned antiquarian and lawyer.

Colbert the famous French minister, at sixty years of age returned to his Latin and law studies. Dr. Johnson applied himself to the acquisition of the Dutch language, a few years before his death.

Ludovico Monaldesco, at the great age of one hundred and fifteen, wrote the memoirs of his own times. A singular exertion noticed by Voltaire, who was himself one of the most remarkable instances of the progress of age in new studies.

Ogilby, the translator of Homer and Virgil, was unacquainted with Latin and Greek till he was past fifty.

Dryden, in his sixty-eighth year, commenced the translation of the Iliad; and his most pleasing productions were written in his old age.

Franklin did not fully commence his philosophical pursuits till he had reached his fiftieth year.

Chief Justice Marshall, was more than eighty years of age at the time of his death. He exercised the duties of his high office, until within a short time of his decease, and the last opinions he delivered were as full of learning and ability, as those of an earlier period of his life.

Accorso, a great lawyer being asked, why he began the study of the law so late, answered that indeed, he began it late, but should therefore master it the sooner.

The above are a few out of thousands of cases, where men of advanced age, have commenced new studies in which they have acquired excellence, and struck out into entirely new pursuits, either for a livelihood or amusement.

In a certain period of the Grecian Republic, a man was not allowed to open his mouth upon political subjects, or take part in the government, when under forty years of age. Now, our men of forty are apt to think themselves too old to learn. A very different estimate was put upon the advantages of experience by the ancients, from what obtains among us. Manhood, if opportunity permits, is perhaps the stage of life in which the most rapid improvement may be made in learning; and even healthy old age is no bar to the acquisition of knowledge. In all the transactions of life, whether mechanical, mercantile, agricultural or whatever pursuit we may be engaged in, an increase of knowledge is increase of power; and every one should aim at the highest degree of perfection in that branch of business in which he may happen to be engaged.

The man who is placed by fortune above the necessity of following any trade or profession, unless he cultivates his mind cannot be happy; for knowledge is the only true source of happiness. If the rich have no taste for intellectual pleasures, they are almost sure to run into excess in those that are sensual, and pain, remorse and vain regret is the consequence.

THE LEGACY.

A Parody.

When in bed I'm as drunk as a swine,
This bottle bear to my comrades dear;
Tell them 'twas filled with the spirit of wine,
I drank it out, and it laid me here;
Bid them not shed one tear of sorrow,

To sully their hearts so brilliant and light;
But balmy drops of the red grape borrow,
And drink about from morn till night.

And when our credit is all done over,

Then take my coat to yon broker's hall;
I think it will bring five dollars or more,
And that will serve to soak us all:
Then if some sot who roams forsaken,

Complains he is dry as he passes along,
O! let one cup his spirit awaken,

And cheer his heart with a drinking song.

Keep this cup, which is now o'erflowing,
To grace your revel when I'm at rest;
Never, oh! never its balm bestowing

On lips which brandy has seldom blest;
But when some old genuine brandy lover
To him he adores shall bathe its brim,
O take, and empty it over and over,

I think it will settle both you and him.

CIRCASSIA AND THE CIRCASSIANS.

FROM EDMUND SPENCER'S NARRATIVE, 1836.

Second excursion into the interior of Circassia-general appearance of the Circassian territory-arrival at the residence of a Pchickhan-his hospitality-domestic manners-mode of living-visit to a Circassian Prince.

Having in my last, given you an account of my first impressions of the Circassian people, I shall now proceed to describe my route; and how delightful was every object to a traveller so long wearied with the monotonous steppes of Krim-Tartary! The bracing winds of the hills felt refreshing, and imparted additional vigor to the frame. The beautiful mountain scenery, in its endless forms, presented all that could charm the eye and cheer the spirits. Even the frequent shower, the rolling cloud, and the hoarse thunder, were welcomed with pleasure.

We were conducted through the lovely valley of Pchad, watered by a fertilising river, of the same name. But, to describe the beauty of the scenery, and the fertility of the country, would be only to

repeat what I have already said, while relating the details of my former visit to Circassia. However, having now penetrated a greater distance into the interior, my picture will be found more correct. In truth, I was not more pleased than astonished, to see the high state of cultivation exhibited in so remote a country, inhabited by a people that we were led to believe had not yet emerged from barbarism; while their little cottages, as they hung on the brow of a hill, or lay clustered by the side of a river, were not much inferior in neatness to those of the Tyrolean and the Swiss moun

taineers.

Numerous herds of cattle, enclosed by palisadoes, were seen, in one place, enjoying the richest pastures; in another, men, women, and children, were engaged in the various labors of husbandry; giving to the landscape that beautiful rural aspect so characteristic of a pastoral people; and I was not a little amused to see the men and boys at work in the fields, on perceiving our party, desert their labors, fly to their cottages, arm themselves, and mount their horses, in order to swell our ranks.

About a couple of leagues distant from the shore, the valley considerably widened, and we caught a fine view of the lesser chain of the Caucassian Alps. Here we met a band of Circassians, who informed us that the chief of the Chipakoua tribe, to whom we were journeying, was absent with his sons, at a general meeting of the confederate princes; but that his cousin, who resided some few leagues further, would be most happy to receive us.

We now took a bridle path through a dense forest, following the ascent of a rapid rivulet, which conducted us over a hill to another valley, called Dtchianogloti, watered by an insignificant stream. This valley was much more diversified and romantic than that through which we had passed, occasionally forming into a tiny plain, and then into a contracted gorge. It was, also, for the most part, diligently cultivated, and, I was told by the captain, thickly inhabited; not, however, that there was a single human habitation vissible, the Circassians having the custom of concealing their dwellings by dense foliage, in order to elude the observation of the enemy.

After travelling through this valley some short distance, we passed into a third, called, as near as I can write it, Neapkheupkhi. Indeed, the whole country seemed to be broken into a succession of mountains, glens, gorges, and valleys. This led us to the residence of a Pchikhan, or chief of the second class, who received us most hospitably, and conducted us with much courtesy, into his little dwelling. Here my host of companions left me, apparently much pleased, for their loud shouts of vo-ri, ra, ka, rebounded from hill to hill, from rock to rock. Thus, I had every reason to feel grateful for my reception, and satisfied with the friendly disposition evinced by the inhabitants towards me.

We were ushered into the department reserved for the reception of strangers, where the squire of my host divested me of all my

arms, except the poniard, and hung them up on the walls of the rooms, already adorned with a vast number, consisting of guns, pistols, sabres, poniards, bows and arrows, and one or two coats of mail, all kept in the highest order, and several richly ornamented · with gold, silver, and precious stones.

The room differed little in its appointment from those of the Turks. The floor was covered with a brilliant-colored carpet, a divan of red leather, stuffed with hair, surrounded the chamber; and several small tables, inscribed with verses of the Koran, in the Arabic language, were fixed to the walls. From this circumstance, I infer that my host professed the Mahomedan religion, which iuduced me to present him my firman, when, like a true believer, he kissed it most reverently, evidently regarding me with high respect, as the possessor of a document so sacred as to have affixed to it the seal of the spiritual chief of all the Osmanlis. However, his acquaintance with the Turkish language was merely confined to a few phrases, and his knowledge of Islamism vague and imperfect.

Our refreshment was served in the Turkish style, consisting of a variety of dishes, separately brought in, upon small round tables, about half a foot high. There could not have been less than from twelve to fifteen. Many would have been much better had they been less seasoned. They were principally made from poultry, mutton, milk, honey, and fruits, with pastry. But all my entreaties were unavailing to induce our host to share the repast with us; who, according to the custom of this people, remained in the room the whole of the time, in the most courteous manner, anticipating every wish.

During the repast, we were waited upon, in addition to our host. by several female slaves. The drink was a species of mead, and the boza of the Tartars, made from millet, in taste not unlike small beer. The bread was a composition of wheat and maize, of excellent flavor; and, in the pilaff, which was not to be despised, buckwheat formed a very good substitute for rice. Of course, we had a pewter tray for a table cloth, wooden bowls for glasses, poniards for carving knives, fingers for forks, and the palms of our hands for spoons: but all these inconveniences, common to the east, were to me but a feather in the balance, compared to being obliged to sit for an hour on a carpet, cross legged; and, I assure you, I felt not a little pleasure, when the ceremony was over, to take a ramble through the grounds.

The clustered dwellings of my host, which might be said to resemble a little hamlet, were pleasantly situated on a rising eminence, sloping down to the banks of a rivulet; and, being surrounded by grounds, divided, with no little judgment, into gardens, orchards, paddocks, meadows, and cornfields, animated here and there with flocks of sheep and herds of cattle, altogether forming a very pretty picture. I could not but admire the judicious arrangement of the granary, supported on short stone pillars, each having attached, a few feet from the ground, a broad circular stone, hollowed in the

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