remembered that earnest attention, and steady application, will be found effective in helping onwards the least gifted by nature; while the careless, indifferent, and time losing (however endowed,) are likely to form but the rear ranks in skill and usefulness.

INDIVIDUAL DUTIES.

ON OUR INTELLECTUAL CULTURE.

THE most important of our individual duties is the developing and perfecting of our own nature, by intellectual and moral culture; so that we may be best able to enjoy our own existence, and be best prepared to confer the greatest amount of happiness on others.

Individual well-being cannot exist in such a country as ours without knowledge: it being necessary for directing our labours to a beneficial or productive end; and for the guiding of our conduct, so that the means of happiness be secured and rendered inviolate. And in proportion as we are wanting in this knowledge, so may we expect to be poor, reckless and dependant.

may

The general wealth and social happiness of the community must likewise be dependant on intellectual culture. For a knowledge of the productions, powers, capabilities, and laws of nature, is indispensable for causing the means of comfortable subsistence to be produced; while the capital necessary for reproduction—the order, security, and tranquillity of society, cannot be realized without an amount of knowledge sufficient to direct the conduct of its members.

In like manner the liberties of a country must be always dependant on the intellectual and moral condition of its population. An intellectual people will never silently submit to political thraldom, and their united efforts n despotism is powerful enough to subdue. And if

government derives its power from the people, its failings, defects, and vices, must have their origin in the intellectual and moral deficiencies of those who choose, and maintain, the legislative and governing powers.

In the domestic circle the acquisition of knowledge is equally necessary for strengthening the affections, for the prudent management of the household, and for the teaching and training of the young; so that they may grow up to be wise, good and useful members of the community. It is true that a degree of social enjoyment may exist without any great expansion of the intellectual powers; and this chiefly depending on the strength of the affections. But as those feelings are often impulsive, and frequently weak, they need mental and moral ties to bind them more steadfastly and truly. For unions of great promise, blessed with every comfort likely to yield happiness, but deficient in knowledge to direct the household, and moral principle to bind its inmates in amity, are too often found to be productive of contention and misery. While earnest hearts, with minds enlightened and pure, will make of things humble a bright and cheerful home-an abiding resting place for the affections that will strengthen with years-a peaceful refuge against all that can perplex and distract from without.

Therefore in every situation of life, knowledge is essential in order that we may be useful and happy. Knowledge has been the great instrument that has gradually moulded the brutal savage, delighting in destruction, into the earnest philanthrophist, ever seeking the happiness of his fellows. Knowledge has made our earth teem with plenty, garnished it with beauty, and is fast filling it with every convenience that can contribute to man's enjoyment. Knowledge has made the materials of earth and the stars of heaven subservient to the purposes of man; all expanding his mind, de

lighting his imagination, refining his feelings, and elevating

kis hopes.

Ignorance, on the other hand, is the gangrene whose vices are ever festering the heart of society; whose benumbng influence is ever withering the blossoms of hope. Ignorance has ever been the source of crime, the prolific seed from which has sprung persecution, contention, rapine and war. Ignorance forges the fetters that chain down society to base customs, grovelling superstitions and barbarous traditions; making man the dupe of the artful, the tool of the ambitious; and even now, despite all the efforts of knowledge, forms the chief drag-chain on the wheels of progress.

For the cultivated man there are spread out inexhaustable treasures for his enjoyment in air, earth and ocean; which the ignorant scans with childest wonder or apathetic indifference. The ignorant man may be said to be a being who lives in the midst of beauty which he sees not, is surrounded with wonders which excite not his curiosity; a being labouring to live, and living merely to labour; at best a patient toiling drudge, walking in mental night amid the full blaze of intellectual day.

But sad and deplorable as is this state, as is the undeveloped and shrivelled mind of ignorant humanity, still greater evils are to be apprehended. Wanting knowledge to direct his conduct, he will too often be found among the destitute and criminal; becoming alternately a burthen or a terror to society; forming a ready instrument for purposes of evil, a credulous victim of superstition, a prey to his own ignorant and fearful imaginings.

Lamentable, however, as are the results of ignorance, and greatly to be pitied as is the mind destitute of culture; earnest efforts to redeem the past and improve the future are never hopeless.

Thousands whose early education has been neglecte?

have been redeemed by knowledge; and, by earnest persevering application, have raised themselves to become the world's teachers and man's deliverers.

It must be remembered, however, that "mental labour is the price we must pay for all mental accomplishments.” We may find this labour irksome in our early career; but, if we are industrious in our pursuit of knowledge, we shall not only overcome this irksomeness, but shall find fresh delight in every step of our progress. For when our mental nature is unfolded we shall look with new eyes on the beauties and wonders around us, shall derive daily satisfaction in investigating the laws and properties of nature, in contemplating the grand and bright imaginings of art.

But in setting forward in our intellectual pursuit, we should resolve to seek knowledge in order that we may be wise and useful, rather than rich and powerful; for an enlarged mind, liberal feelings, and a virtuous resolution to improve mankind, are treasures which wealth cannot purchase nor power command. Though wealth, acquired by knowledge and usefulness in the paths of duty, always gives its possessor more extended means of benefiting his fellows; the doing which will always yield him self-satisfaction, however he may fail in winning their approbation. But wealth obtained by dishonourable means sinks a man in his own esteem, and becomes an ever increasing weight on the conscience, not to be lightened by daily alms giving and deeds of charity.

In seeking knowledge, for its own intrinsic excellence, we shall not only be placing ourselves in the most advantageous position for securing the means of happiness, for rendering ourselves useful to society, and for enjoying life in every step of our progress; but, if we are fortunate enough to become wealthy, shall have acquired the knowledge, and, in all probability, the disposition to use our wealth wisely.