of the rich; and while it greatly multiplies and enhances the enjoyments of time, helps to train up the soul for the bliss of eternity. LESSON CXIX.-PROGRESS OF SCIENCE.-EDWARD EVERETT. [From an Address before the Mass. Mechanic Association.] Besides all that may be hoped for, by the diligent and ingenious use of the materials for improvement, afforded by the present state of the arts, the progress of science teaches us to believe, that principles, elements, and 5 powers, are in existence and operation around us, of which we have a very imperfect knowledge, perhaps no knowledge whatever. Commencing with the mariner's compass, in the middle ages, a series of discoveries have been made, connected 10 with magnetism, electricity, galvanism, the polarity of light, and the electro-magnetic phenomena, which are occupying so much attention at the present day, all of which are more or less applicable to the useful arts, and which may well produce the conviction that, if, in some 15 respects, we are at the meridian, we are, in other respects, in the dawn of science. In short, all art is a creation of the mind of man ;—an essence of infinite capacity for improvement. And it is of the nature of every intelligence, endowed with such a 20 capacity, however mature in respect to the past, to be at all times, in respect to the future, in a state of hopeful infancy. However vast the space measured behind, the space before is immeasurable; and though the mind may estimate the progress it has made, the boldest stretch of 25 its powers is inadequate to measure the progress of which it is capable. Let me say, then, PERSEVERE. Do any ask what you have done, and what you are doing, for the public good? Send them to your exhibition rooms, and let them see the 30 walls of the Temple of American Liberty,* fitly covered with the products of American art. And while they gaze, with admiration, on these creations of the mechanical arts of the country, bid them remember that they are the productions of a people, whose fathers were told by the 35 British ministry, they should not manufacture a hob-nail. Does any one ask, in disdain, for the great names who *Faneuil Hall. have illustrated the mechanic arts; tell him of Arkwright and Watt, of Franklin, of Whitney and Fulton, whose memory will dwell in the grateful recollections of posterity, when the titled and laureled destroyers of mankind 5 shall be remembered only with detestation. Mechanics of America, respect your calling, respect yourselves. The cause of human improvement has no firmer, or more powerful friends. In the great temple of nature, whose foundation is the earth,-whose pillars are 10 the eternal hills,-whose roof is the star-lit sky,-whose organ-tones are the whispering breeze and the sounding storm,—whose architect is God, there is no ministry more noble than that of the intelligent mechanic! LESSON CXX.-PURPOSE OF THE BUNKER-HILL MONUMENT.DANIEL WEBSTER. We know, indeed, that the record of illustrious actions is most safely deposited in the universal remembrance of mankind. We know, that if we could cause this structure to ascend, not only till it reached the skies, but till it 5 pierced them, its broad surfaces could still contain but part of that, which, in an age of knowledge, hath already been spread over the earth, and which history_charges itself with making known to all future times. We know, that no inscription on entablatures less broad than the 10 earth itself, can carry information of the events we commemorate, where it has not already gone; and that no structure, which shall not outlive the duration of letters and knowledge among men, can prolong the memorial. But our object is, by this edifice, to show our own deep 15 sense of the value and importance of the achievements of our ancestors; and, by presenting this work of gratitude to the eye, to keep alive similar sentiments, and to foster a constant regard for the principles of the revolution. Human beings are composed not of reason only, but o 20 imagination also, and sentiment; and that is neither wasted nor misapplied which is appropriated to the purpose of giving right direction to sentiments, and opening proper springs of feeling in the heart. Let it not be supposed, that our object is to perpetuate 25 national hostility, or even to cherish a mere military spirit. It is higher, purer, nobler. We consecrate our work to the spirit of national independence, and we wish that the light of peace may rest upon it forever. We rear a memorial of our conviction of that unmeasured benefit, which has been conferred on our own land, and of the happy influences, which have been produced, by the 5 same events, on the general interests of mankind. We come, as Americans, to mark a spot, which must forever be dear to us and our posterity. We wish that whosoever, in all coming time, shall turn his eye hither, may behold that the place is not undistinguished, where 10 the first great battle of the revolution was fought. We wish that this structure may proclaim the magnitude and importance of that event, to every class and every age. We wish that infancy may learn the purpose of its erection from maternal lips, and that wearied and withered 15 age may behold it, and be solaced by the recollections which it suggests. We wish that labor may look up here, and be proud, in the midst of its toil. We wish that, in those days of disaster, which, as they come on all nations, must be expected to come on us also, desponding 20 patriotism may turn its eyes hitherward, and be assured, that the foundations of our national power still stand strong. We wish that this column, rising towards heaven, among the pointed spires of so many temples dedicated 25 to God, may contribute also to produce, in all minds, a pious feeling of dependence and gratitude. We wish, finally, that the last object on the sight of him who leaves his native shore, and the first to gladden his who revisits it, may be something which shall remind him of the 30 liberty and the glory of his country. Let it rise, till it meet the sun in his coming; let the earliest light of the morning gild it, and parting day linger and play on its summit. 5 CXXI.-THE AMERICAN FLAG.-J. R. DRAKE. When Freedom from her mountain height She tore the azure robe of night, She mingled with its gorgeous dies 5. 10 155 20 25 30 35 40 Then, from his mansion in the sun, To guard the banner of the free ; Flag of the brave! thy folds shall fly, Like shoots of flame on midnight's pall; 5 16 And smile to see thy splendor fly, And all thy hues were born in heaven. Where breathes the foe but falls before us, And Freedom's banner streaming o'er us? 5 10 15 20 25 30 LESSON CXXII.-GREECE IN 1820.-J. G. BROOKS. When death his purple garment threw Land of the Muse! within thy bowers |