enjoyed the royal favor. The great mass of the community preferred the exhibition of gladiators, to the refined beauties of the Mantuan bard, the grovelling pleasures of sense to the high enjoyments of a cultivated intellect. Minds thus debased were ill adapted to cherish the expanded principles which lie at the foundation of true liberty-were only fitted to adorn the servile dependents of selfish tyrants.

Let us turn to the consideration of the literary character of Americans.

The haughty aristocrats of Europe scoff at the idea of a literature existing in the republican wilds of the west; they point to their Newton and Laplace, to their Addison and Shakspeare, and triumphantly ask for a parallel among our philosophers or writers. And is it a matter of surprise that a nation which but yesterday sprung into existence should not compete in the number, and erudition of its learned men, with those nations which have existed for centuries, and are now tottering on the last stages of their existence? It is admitted that we have but few men whose whole lives have been devoted to the prosecution of some favorite study, or the development of some cherished theory; that our poets have not equalled a Milton, or our prose writers, a Scott; but in the causes of this state of things, we find much of which we may be proud. It is not our intention to follow out this branch of our subject at the present time, since it has been seen in the examination of the literature of Greece and Rome, that the existence of a few renowned for their genius and learning could not save the state from ruin.

The main feature in the contrast, and that on which the hopes for our liberties depend, is the universal dissemination of knowledge among all classes of the community. Where every man exerts a proportionate influence in the administration of the government, every man must be educated to discharge this high trust. In the press, that mighty engine of intellectual power, we discover the instrument which will effect this result. Had this existed in former times, how different would have been the history of ancient republics-how changed the condition of mankind. The thunderings of royal wrath are unheeded-the prophecies of sycophantic courtiers disregarded, when the people are shielded by this enemy of tyranny, this champion of truth.

Throughout the whole length and breadth of our continent, a thousand free presses are daily sending forth instruction. The means of education are brought to the doors of the humblest peasant, and he is urged to avail himself of their advantages. Plans for effecting a more universal dissemination of intelligence are being devised and put into operation, and all the resources of the state, aided by private zeal, must soon secure the wished-for result.

The latest reports show that but comparatively few of our citizens are not acquainted with the first principles of an education. The

great mass have already reached that point, where they can fully realize the superior advantages of a free government. The sentiment of the poet,

"For forms of government let fools contest,

Whate'er is best administer'd is best,"

finds no favor in their sight. Firmly attached to the forms as well as the substance of free governments, they will ever remain the firm champions of equal rights. Nor need we fear the return of mental and political darkness. The mind of man has been aroused from a state of lethargy, it has understood and appreciated the high powers with which it has been invested, the destiny which awaits it. The last expiring throes of ignorance and tyranny will soon be witnessed, and hand in hand they will leave a world which, by their united counsels, has been too long enslaved.

The influence of the religious views of a people upon their political prosperity ought not to be disregarded. When the movements of fleets and armies, the consideration of the most urgent matters of state, and in short every act of individuals or of the nation depended upon the interpretation of some mysterious couplet, or the peculiar appearance of the various parts of animals, it is not surprising that the most favorable opportunities were frequently lost, important interests endangered, and liberty finally destroyed.

The mythology of ancient times may have tended to beautify their poetry and elevate their graver productions, but its influence upon the hearts of its believers was deadly as the Simoom of the desert. While a Jupiter ruled over Olympus, or a Pluto in the infernal regions, where was the security against parricide? Amid the orgies of Bacchus, or the license of the Saturnalia, how could temperance or moderation find encouragement or support? And yet not a divinity in the ancient mythology can be pointed out, whose character was not blackened by some odious crime, whose worship was not disgraced by some revolting ceremonies.

From the natural constitution of the human mind, it is assimilated in its views and feelings to the objects which it contemplates. It might be expected, therefore, that minds debased by the frequent contemplation of heathen divinities, would not be fitted to appreciate the great and ennobling principles of liberty.

Some wise men of antiquity did, indeed, discover the utter folly of the popular superstitions, but their influence upon the minds of men was so great, and so firmly established, that no one dared to expose them. It was reserved for the divine author of the Christian religion to free the minds of men from this degrading servitude to oracles and auguries, and raise them to the consideration of objects and ends worthy an immortal being.

Man is no longer called upon to regard himself as the object upon which a thousand tyrants are exercising their capricious wills, but as

existing under a government administered according to the strictest rules of equity. And is it to be supposed that men, taught from their infancy to reverence such a government, will long submit to the tyranny of fellow-mortals? No; wherever Christianity has

come,

"There freedom came; where dwelt, there freedom dwelt,
Ruled where she ruled, expired where she expired."

Here, then, is the foundation of our hopes. Our government rests on the broad basis of eternal truth; and while we adhere to the principles of our Pilgrim Fathers, we will not fear for the result. Let us not be pointed to the Christian republics of Europe as proofs that the influence of our religion cannot preserve the government. The union of church and state, alike fatal to each, has been the cause of their present moral condition. When the first principle of Christianity, that a people shall choose their own pastors, is violated; when political men, with all the corrupting influences of their station, are allowed to impose such religious teachers as they please on the community, what can be expected but a time-serving clergy, a formal and corrupt church, a profligate and abandoned people?

Let us preserve our religious and political institutions separate from each other, and thus we shall secure their purity, and derive from them all those rich blessings which they are so well fitted to bestow.

THE SEA NYMPH'S SONG.*

I STOOD upon the desert ocean's shore,
Delighted gazing on a heaving sea,
And listening to its deep, unceasing roar;
And as the rolling surf dash'd heavily
Upon the strand with foaming crests and high,
Methought upon the waves was borne along,

A sweet, though wild and distant melody,
Which seemed arising from the depths among,
And on my ear fell clear this flowing tide of song.

'The deep, deep sea is the water-nymph's home,
And through its blue billows freely we roam,
While we have no care all the livelong day,
But to sport together as we wander away

⚫ The author of this song will discover many alterations which we have deemed it necessary to make; and although they may not appear, in his estimation, as improvements upon the original, yet, in a word, without these alterations the piece would have been inadmissible.—EDs.

THE VICTIM.

THE violent oppression with which the Christians had been afflicted during the reign of Nero and Domitian, had long since terminated. The reign of Nerva had been marked by a cessation from the severe proceedings of his predecessors, and the mildness that attended the accession of Trajan to the empire, promised to their troubled minds a degree of tranquillity which they had never yet experienced; and they fondly hoped for a long continuation of it. But it would seem as though hatred towards the early espousers of the Christian faith was deeply ingrafted in every Roman breast, for ere long the Emperor relaxed from the show of lenity which he had at first manifested towards them, and persecution again drove them from more open communication with their friends, to seek the wild groves on the banks of the Tiber, and the dreary retirements which the outskirts of the city afforded them, to offer up their simple devotions to the God of their trust.

It was on a mild and beautiful eve, that succeeded a day which had been uncommonly oppressive, when two soldiers wandered from their station to enjoy the cool breeze which the more elevated banks of the Tiber afforded. A refreshing shower had cooled the sultriness of the air, and moistened the herbage, which diffused around a sweet and pleasant fragrance. Its duration, however, had been but transient, for the clouds soon passed away, giving place to

The rays of the orb of day,

whose chariot had retired in all the loveliness of an Italian sunset. Its radiant beams were yet visible in the western sky, although the moon was now shining resplendently, high in the heavens.

"A lovely evening this, my comrade !" said a large and sturdy son of Mars, whose person plainly indicated the effects of many a toilsome campaign.'

"It is, indeed, beautiful," replied his companion, " and methinks your gods have thus far looked with peculiar favor on the reign of our noble Trajan. Yet I doubt not but that he will see more troublous times, if, as I am informed, he holds to his determination of sweeping from his empire the much oppressed Christians."

"Ha! Cesario, dost thou again express thyself as a stranger to our gods. I had thought that these foolish notions of yours had long since been driven from your breast. I tell thee, though our friendship has been strong, I'll hold no communication with a Chris

tian."

"It was unintentional, Marcus! yet why should I not make known my feelings, since I am determined never again to yield obedience