are searched, duties demanded, and a host of petty tyrants under the excise vex and harass him in all his arrangements; when he lands on the other side of the Atlantic, he is subjected to a similar ordeal; and when he returns to England with a few volumes of American literature, his luggage is again subjected to a strict scrutiny, and he must pay a shilling for every pound weight of knowledge he has imported."* Besides the spirit of warfare, which has so frequently interrupted the correspondence of nations,-such harassing and vexatious restrictions have a tendency to foster a principle of antipathy, and to impede the progress of knowlege. They are founded on a principle of selfishness and malignity, and, like all such principles, they frustrate even the pecuniary object they were intended to promote; for, in point of fact, so far from increasing the wealth of a nation, they tend in many ways to diminish its resources. Were all such restrictions and exactions abolished, philanthropic travellers might make a tour through the nations without being annoyed-the manufactures and natural productions of every country could be afforded at a much cheaper rate than at present-and the hundred thousands of pounds and dollars annually expended in keeping up a numerous retinue of excise officers and underlings, would be saved for the purposes of national improvement. The most enlightened political economists now agree that Free Trade should be universally encouraged, and that extraordinary restrictions upon the importation of goods is injurious to the wealth and prosperity of nations. XII. The improvement of society requires that particular attention be paid to the intellectual and religious instruction of seamen. The British navy includes about 30,000 men; the British merchant service about 220,000, of whom | about 100,000 are engaged in the coasting trade, and 120,000 in the foreign trade. The coast-guard service includes 21,000 individuals; and there are of fishermen, watermen, and boatmen, probably not less than 50,000 persons besides their families amounting in all to above 320,000 individuals, exclusive of their wives and children. An immense number of this class of men is likewise connected with the United States of America, but I have no data on which to form an estimate of their amount. A great proportion of these persons have been brought up in debasing ignorance, both of general knowledge and of the truths of religion, and, they are too frequently addicted to habits of profaneness and intemperance. They form, however, a most important and interesting class of our fellow-menthey are frequently distinguished for heroism, humanity, and a noble generosity; and, were they generally instructed in useful knowledge and Christian morals, they might be rendered useful agents in promoting the good of mankind both at home and abroad. The "British and Foreign Sailors' Society" was formed sometime ago, "for promoting the moral and religious improvement of seamen."Of this society Lord Mountsandford is president; Alderman Pirie, and G. F. Angas, Esq., treasurers; the Rev. Dr. Cox, and the Rev. T. Timpson, secretaries-gentlemen distinguished for their activity in every department of philanthropic labor.The principal scene of their labor is the port of London, where the gospel is preached, and prayer meetings held on board ships, every evening, by agents of the society, who distribute Bibles, religious books and tracts, and enter into conversation with the seamen on moral and religious subjects.They have already spent upwards of £2000 in fitting up a chapel and other buildings, and have provided 140 "Loan Ship Libraries," comprising 4000 volumes, now abroad in many vessels; and 50 small The following instance, among many others, libraries for the fishing smacks sailing from the shows the harassing nature of custom-house re- Thames; besides the "Vestry Library," which constrictions:-A. Davidson, A. M. a celebrated lectu- tains upwards of 3000 volumes, daily open to sailors rer on experimental philosophy and chemistry, af- in the depot of the chapel ;-but the want of adeter having returned from Ireland to Liverpool, had quate funds prevents them from enlarging the his packages, containing an extensive apparatus, sphere of their operations. To complete such bethrown into the custom-house, which were not per- nevolent arrangements, it would be requisite, could mitted to be removed till they should be minutely funds be procured, to establish schools on a moral inspected. They consisted chiefly of glass cylinders, and intellectual principle, some of them adapted to globes, receivers, &c. of all descriptions, which re- the children of sailors, and others for the rational quired several days and much exertion to get pack- instruction of adults. Lectures on popular science, ed; and they could not be unpacked, in such a situ- accompanied with experiments, might likewise be ation, without considerable expense and great loss occasionally delivered; and the religious books conof time, and the risk of having a great part of the tained in the libraries blended with popular and inapparatus broken and destroyed. He offered to un-teresting publications on geography, astronomy, expack them in the presence of excise officers, in the perimental philosophy, history, voyages, travels, apartments he had procured for the purpose; but and other departments of knowledge. Were sailors this was refused. He called day after day at the cus-well instructed and moralized, they might improve tom-house about the matter, but to no purpose. One their own minds by reading and conversation, durunderling gave him a sealed card, containing about ing long voyages, and feel a superior degree of entwo lines of writing, to carry to another underling, joyment to what they now experience; they might for which he charged half-a-crown; this last gave be the means of promoting both knowledge and rehim a similar card to carry to a third person, for ligion in foreign lands-they might soon be accuswhich the same charge was made; this third person tomed to contemplate with intelligence the various gave another half-crown card, to be handed to a scenes of nature which pass under their observafourth person, who could give him the requisite in- tion, and record them for the information of others formation, but this fourth person could never be-and thus become contributors to science, and befound; and thus he was bandied about from one harpy to another, and filched out of four or five half-crowns. In this way, three weeks were wasted to no purpose, till by accident he met with a gentleman connected with the custom-house, with whom he was formerly acquainted, who got his packages released, after he had been subjected to much trouble, expense, and From the operations of Bible and Missionary anxiety, and lost nearly a month, during which his Associations, it is evident how much may be achievlectures might have been nearly finished. Regula-ed by the formation of societies for the accomplishtions which lead to such impositions and perplexities require to be speedily abolished. nefactors to their species, instead of "increasing," as they often do, "the transgressors among men.' XIII. In order to carry into effect the hints suggested in the preceding pages, societies might be formed for the promotion of education, and the general improvement of the social state. ment of a specific object. The societies to which I allude, including the Church Missionary, Scottish, London, Wesleyan, and several others, now raise | was to lay up in store 25,000 tea-kettles, which were nearly £300,000 annually. The general object I never intended for cooking, and 30,000 great-coats, would propose to accomplish by a new association, which were never intended to be worn? Equally is as important as any other which has yet engaged foolish and contemptible is it, to lay up thousands the public attention; for it lies at the foundation of of pounds or dollars that are never consecrated to all other philanthropic plans, and they can never the glory of God or the good of man. I know inbe brought into extensive operation till it be accom-dividuals who are worth £1000 a-year, and whose plished. If all ranks were thoroughly instructed annual expenditure does not amount to above £150; in knowledge and religion, and, consequently, led and I know others who are worth ten times that to appreciate the importance of Christianity, and sum, who do not spend above two or three hundreds the necessity of its universal propagation, the funds a-year ;-yet it is sometimes difficult to obtain from of our missionary institutions, and the energies them a guinea, or even a few shillings, for a reliwith which they would be conducted, would be in-gious or philanthropic object; and, were you to call creased tenfold more than they now are, and few in question their Christianity, it would be considerindividuals would be found altogether indifferent to ed as little short of an insult.* such noble enterprises. Such an association might It becomes Christian churches and ministers sebe instrumental in calling the attention of the pub-riously to consider this subject, if they wish to see lic to the subject-in diffusing information respecting the principles of pure Christianity reduced to pracit-in detailing plans for accomplishing the grand tice, and worldly maxims undermined, and if they object intended-in illustrating the noble and bene- would be instrumental in preparing the way for the ficial effects which would flow from its accomplish-universal propagation of the gospel, and the arrival ment and in exciting the more wealthy members of the predicted Millennium. Were it not for the of the community to contribute a portion of their prevalence of the debasing principle of avarice, we substance for carrying forward the requisite ar- should, ere long, have seminaries of all descriptions rangements. By such a society, with all the auxi- established among us, for training both the young liaries that might be formed throughout a nation, it and old in knowledge and virtue, and "to glory would scarcely be too much to expect that a million and immortality"-we should have our towns and of pounds might annually be procured, which would cities cleared of every nuisance-oar roads and render society nearly independent of the caprices foot-paths improved-our deserts turned into fruitand partialities of civil rulers, or of the grants of ful fields-new towns and villages erected on spamoney which governments might either withhold cious plans-intelligence speedily and cheaply conor bestow. veyed-the physical aspect of the country beautified and adorned-and the whole frame of society transformed and re-modelled, in conformity with the principles of reason and religion. Were I to enter into minute calculations on this subject, it might easily be shown, that the wealth presently possessed by civilized nations, were it properly distributed and applied, would be more than sufficient to introduce every improvement in society, physical, moral, and intellectual, of which the terrestrial state of man is susceptible-to raise the degraded mass of this world's population to intelligence and virtueto bring into a state of cultivation almost every waste on the face of the globe-to intersect every country with canals and rail-roads-and to transform the whole earth into a paradise, scarcely inferior in beauty to that which appeared at the first creation. And those who expended their superfluous wealth in such noble achievements, so far from having any of their sensitive enjoyments diminished, would enjoy a happiness, both physical and mental, far surpassing any thing which they formerly experienced. XIV. Before any plan for the improvement of mankind can be brought extensively into effect, the principle of avarice, as it now operates in society, must be counteracted and subdued. RECAPITULATION AND CONCLUSION. The great object of the majority of mankind appears to be, to acquire as much wealth as possible, not for the purpose of applying it to the service of God and the good of society, but to gratify a selfish principle and an avaricious propensity-to make a splendid figure in life, to lay up portions for children, or merely to glory in the idea of having hundreds or thousands of guineas or bank notes deposited in a chest, in the stocks, or other place of security. Every one seems to think that he may use his money just as he pleases, without being responsible to a higher Power; and even many of those who call themselves Christians, are glaringly guilty of that "covetousness which is idolatry," although they are pointedly admonished that "the love of money is the root of all evil," and, consequently, the prevention of much good; and that "it leads into many snares and temptations, and foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition." Nothing can be more irrational and degrading than for an immortal being to hoard up treasures which he never applies to any useful pur- In the preceding pages I have endeavored to pose, and who only feasts his imagination with the illustrate a variety of topics in reference to the eduidea that he has them, to a certain amount, in his cation and general improvement of all classes of possession. Yet thousands of such characters exist society-particularly the physical, moral, and ineven in the Christian world. What should we tellectual instruction of infants-the advantages think of the man who took it into his head to lay up, which would result from the universal establishin a large shed or garret, which was carefully lock- ment of infant schools-the seminaries which reed up from public view, 5000 pair of boots, 10,000 quire to be erected for the instruction of youth from tea-cups, 20,000 coffee-pots, or 30,000 cork-screws, the age of six to the age of fifteen years-the plan with no other view than to please his fancy, and to and arrangement of school-rooms, and the objects tell the world that he bad such a number of articles and apparatus with which they should be furnished in his possession? We should, doubtless, consider the principles on which school-books should be him as an arrant fool, or even as a downright mad- constructed the modes of teaching, by which subman. And what is the difference between hoarding thousands of guineas, dollars, or bank notes, which are never brought forth for the benefit of mankind, and accumulating fifty or a hundred thousand pair of boots, spurs, or knee-buckles? How ridiculous would it appear if all that could be said of a man when he died was, that the great object of his life * The late distinguished philanthropist, J. B. Wilson, Esq. of Clapham Common, was once heard to say of one who had been looked up to as a good man and Christian, "He died wickedly rich,"evidently implying, that he thought such a man's Christianity was extremely doubtful. seats and bowers for the shelter and refreshment of the passing traveller, and every bower furnished with Penny Magazines and other works for the instruction and amusement of every one who has leisure to peruse them-our abominable lanes and closes, the seats of physical and moral pollution, completely demolished and laid open to the light of heaven-our narrow streets expanding into spacious squares, cheered with the solar beams, and with rural prospects, and ventilated with the refreshing breeze-our densely crowded cities almost completely demolished, and new cities arising from their ruins, on noble and expansive plans, corresponding to the expansive state of the human mind. stantial knowledge and moral principle may be spacious, accompanied with cleanly footpaths, and communicated-the branches of knowledge which at the distance of every half-mile furnished with should be taught to all classes of the community-the rational and intellectual processes by which a knowledge of them is to be conveyed-the moral and religious instruction of the young-the manner in which Sabbath schools should be conducted, and the qualifications requisite for every teacher in such institutions the seminaries which require to be established for young persons of both sexes from the age of fifteen to the age of twenty years or upwards the qualifications requisite for teachers of all descriptions, and the seminaries which ought to be established for their instruction-the practicability of establishing all such institutions-the utility of such improvements in education, in counteracting crime, raising the moral and intellectual eharacter I behold the climates of the earth meliorated by of man, and preparing the way for the approach of the hand of genius and industry-by the cutting the millennial era-the principles on which national down of forests, the draining of marshes, the imsystems of education should be established-me-provement of sandy and rocky wastes, and the unichanics' institutions, and the improvements of which versal cultivation of the soil-the thunderbolts of they are susceptible-with a variety of miscellaneous heaven, wielded by the philosophic sage, and the hints in reference to the diffusion of knowledge and forked lightnings, directed by the hand of art, to the improvement of general society. play in harmless coruscations in the regions of the Were such institutions once established through-clouds.—I behold locomotive engines, steam-carriaout every part of our country and of the world at ges, and air-balloons, brought to perfection, translarge, thoroughly imbued with the spirit of Chris- porting multitudes of human beings from one city to tianity, and conducted with activity and zeal-there another, from one nation to another, and from one can be little doubt that they would, ere long, be ac- continent to another, with a degree of velocity which companied with the most interesting and beneficial has never yet been attempted.—I behold the savage results. We should soon behold ignorance, foolish restored to the dignity of his moral and intellectual prejudices, superstition, enthusiasm, bigotry, and nature, no longer roaming the desert wild and unintolerance, with all their accompanying evils, gra- cultivated like the beasts of prey, throwing aside his dually evanishing from the world, as the shades of warlike bows and his battle-axes, directing his fanight before the rising sun. We should behold the culties to the improvement of his species, and to the human mind aroused from the slumber of ages, ex- most sublime investigations.-I behold men of all erting its energies on objects worthy of its high dig-nations and kindreds cultivating a harmonious and nity and destination, and conducive to the improve- friendly intercourse; the tribes of New Holland, ment and the happiness of the social state. We Borneo, Sumatra, and Madagascar, visiting the Brishould behold science enlarging its boundaries, the tish Isles with the productions of their respective useful and ornamental arts carried to perfection, climates, and holding literary and religious corresand the universe more fully explored throughout pondence with the directors of our philosophical and all its departments. For we should then have a missionary associations, on all the subjects of Christhousand experimenters, and a thousand intelligent tian and scientific investigation. observers of the phenomena of nature, for one that I behold the scenery of the heavens more fully exexists in the present state of intellectual debasement. plored, and new prospects opened into the distant New and interesting experiments would be institut-regions of the universe-the geography of the moon ed, new facts explored, new regions of the universe laid open to view, and a nobleness, a vigor, and a lofty spirit of independence, on every subject of thought, displayed by the human mind. We should behold avarice, pride, ambition, revenge, and other malignant passions, in a great measure extirpated; and a spirit of love, affection, liberality, and harmony, pervading every department of the moral world. We should behold the Christian world approaching to a harmonious union-the spirit of jealousy and dissension laid to rest—the demon of persecution chased out of the world-the truths of religion and its holy principles recognised in every department and arrangement in society-the great realities of the eternal world contemplated in their true light, and men of all ranks walking hand in hand, as brethren of the same family to the same glorious and incorruptible inheritance. In the progress of such institutions-when they shall have been brought into full operation-I behold, in the prospect of future ages, the most important transformations, and the most glorious results, in the improvement both of the intellectual and of the physical world. I behold the surface of the earth, at no distant period, adorned with vegetable and architectural beauties and embellishments-our deserts transformed into fruitful fields our marshes drained our moors and heath-clad mountains adorned with fruitful trees-our gardens producing the fruits of every clime-our highways broad and brought to perfection, its mountains and vales thoroughly explored, and traces of the existence and operations of its inhabitants exhibited to view-the nature of comets ascertained-the causes of the various phenomena which appear on the planets explained-the construction of the sun, and the nature of his spots determined the sublime scenes connected with the new and variable stars, double and treble stars, and the many thousands of nebula dispersed through the regions of boundless space, more fully displayed-and the Divine character and perfections appearing with still greater lustre and magnificence throughout the amplitudes of creation. I behold the ministers of religion expatiating, amidst thousands of intelligent worshippers, on higher themes and more diversified topics than those to which they are now necessarily restricted-not confining their attention merely to first principles, and to a few fragments of the Christian system, but taking the whole of Divine Revelation as their textbook, and deriving their illustrations of it from the records of Providence, and from all the diversified scenes of the universe.-In fine, I behold the human soul, thus elevated and refined, and endowed with multifarious knowledge, dropping its earthly tabernacle in the dust, and, in another and a higher region of existence, contemplating the economy of other worlds, exploring the wonders of Divine Wisdem and Omnipotence throughout the immensity of creation, prying into the mysteries of human re region, and when improvements of every description shall be introduced into every department of the physical and moral world. It only remains, that, as agents under the Moral Governor of the world, we arouse ourselves from our present lethargy, and devote all our powers, and wealth, and energies, to the accomplishment of such glorious designs, resting assured, that "our labor," if conducted with wisdom and perseverance, "shall not be in vain in the Lord." In fine, if the world is ever to be enlightened and regenerated-if the predictions of ancient prophets are to be fulfilled--if the benevolent purposes of the Almighty, in relation to our world, are to be accomplished-if war is to cease its desolating ravages, and its instruments to be transformed into ploughshares and pruning-hooks-if selfishness, avarice, injustice, oppression, slavery, and revenge, are to be extirpated from the earth-if the tribes of mankind are to be united in the bonds of affection, and righteousness, and praise spring forth before all nations-if the various ranks of society are to be brought into harmonious association, and united in the bond of universal love-if the heathen world is to be enlightened, and the Christian world cemented in one grand and harmonious union-if the landscape of the earth is to be adorned with new beauties, and the wilderness made to bud and blossom as the rose-if "the kingdoms of this world are to become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Messiah," "the whole earth filled with his glory," and his sceptre swayed over the nations throughout all succeeding ages-these long-expected events will, undoubtedly, be introduced by the universal instruction of all ranks, in every thing that has a bearing on their present happiness, and their immortal destiny. If we, therefore, refuse to lend our helping hand to the accomplishment of this great object, we virtually attempt to frustrate the purposes of the Eternal, and to prevent the present and future happiness of mankind. And while we pray to the demption, rising nearer and nearer to the Divinity, Great Lord of all," that he would "appear in his glory to men," and hasten the time when "his name shall be great from the rising to the setting sun," we only offer an insult to the Majesty of Heaven, while we refuse to consecrate our wealth and influence to his service, and to engage in holy activity as "workers together with God." We may legislate as we have hitherto done, for ages to come-we may make, unmake, and modify our civil laws, enforce hundreds of regulations and enactments for the punishment and prevention of crime-we may build thousands of churches and colleges, and academies without number-we may engage in profound discussions and investigations, and compass sea and land to make proselytes to our opinions; but unless the foundations of society be laid in the rational and religious education of all classes of the young, our most spacious plans will prove abortive, and our superstructures gradually crumble into dust, and, "like the baseless fabric of a vision, leave scarce a wreck APPENDIX. Page 94.-Insanity from Excessive Study. THE following instance of the effects of excessive study, and the danger of neglecting the animal functions, is extracted from the "American Annals of Education" for September, 1833. will be more interesting than any abridgment."The captain remarked, that he had sometimes suspected me to be a little deranged, and my fellowpassengers thought my appearance very odd at Quebec; but as I was frequently engaged, while on board, in reading their books, they concluded it was owing to absence of mind, and a naturally eccentric character.' They could hardly believe me, when I first made known to them my utter ignorance of every transaction since the time I met with them on the St. Lawrence. They told me I had been uniformly courteous and cheerful; and that, when we walked from the shore to a house during the storm, I carried her in my arms about half the way, she being too cold and wearied to walk. They were well wrapped up in blankets, but I had nothing but my cloak, and got two of my fingers frozen. You can better conceive than I can express, how strangely I felt when reason first told me I was in the cabin of a vessel; and when I knew, from the pitching and tossing, that that vessel was on the ocean. I am in hopes of meeting with some vessel bound homeward; and, if I cannot return in her, to send this letter. If we speak no vessel in which I can return, I shall probably take passage immediately after arriving in Liverpool. Till then, I leave all other incidents connected with this almost incredible loss of reason. I do not doubt that study was the cause, and thus are all my hopes of going through college blasted-for I should not dare to make a second attempt. But I think nothing of that. I am lost in wonder that such a journey should have been performed in safety in such a singular absence of mind; and to think too that I even went through all, without ever losing my money, is most strange. My preservation appears indeed miraculous-but I know not what to say. How thankful should I be to the Great Being who has guided and directed my wanderings-thankful! 'tis too tame a word.— Words cannot express my feelings, and I leave all, for the contemplation almost overwhelms me." Mr. Joseph Frothingham, from Salem, State of Massachusetts, was a student of the Oneida Institute. In April, 1833, he was suddenly missed, and strong suspicions were entertained of his having been murdered. Nothing was heard of him, however, until a letter was recently received by his parents, dated, "Atlantic Ocean, 12th May, 1833,500 miles east of Newfoundland Banks." The following extract from his letter will show to what account his abduction is to be charged:-"While at the Institute, having nothing else to do, and wishing to get a-head, I applied myself very closely to study, (particularly the Latin grammar,) leaving off only when absolutely necessary. You recollect I arrived during vacation, before the regular course of labor had commenced, and thinking I should have plenty of it in a few days, contented myself with taking very little exercise. The effects of this close application from sunrise till nine in the evening I soon perceived, and several times was sensible that my thoughts for a moment or two were rather wandering. Yet I did not feel at all anxious or discouraged, reasoning with myself, that so sudden a change of pursuit must necessarily cause me at first to feel rather unwell, and that after a few days my mind would recover its wonted tone. Af ter the 5th or 6th of April, the little momentary aberrations became more frequent, and how I spent much of the time intervening between that date and the 8th, I am wholly unable to say. Some things which I did I recollect distinctly, and others only as we recall the vagaries of a dream. But after the 8th, every thing is wrapt in confusion, 'Shadows, clouds, and darkness rest upon it.' I have a vague dim recollection of feeling something as if standing near a mountain, when a volcano Mr. Frothingham has since returned, and conbursts from the side. To escape the fiery deluge I firms the whole account. "Would that his welltravelled by sea and land, but onward it still seemed meant but mistaken zeal in study (says the editor) to move, and even to rear itself a wall of living fire. might be the means of saving many now in danger One only thing I can recollect clearly. Finding from a result not less fatal to future plans, and of myself in a strange street, near a large stone build-preserving others from that partial mania-that preing, I inquired of a soldier the name of the place, dominance of the body over mind, which we beand he answered, Montreal.' For a moment I lieve gives rise to not a few of the follies, and erwondered what could have brought me there, but rors, and faults, of sedentary men. We will only then came confusion over my mind again, and not add, as an example of a result more deadly, from a an idea or incident can I recollect, until yesterday, similar imprudence, that one of the most diligent about 10 a. m. when I found myself in the steerage and promising students of an institution, returned of a ship bound from Quebec to Liverpool. I im- to his room after a long tour on foot, in perfect mediately communicated every thing to my fellow-health, and, as he imagined, with a stock laid up on passengers, (a young man and wife,) and from them which he might draw. He sat down closely to learned the following particulars." study. The blood thus accumulated, which rushed to Mr. Frothingham's brain, in this case burst forth in a profuse discharge from the lungs; and, after years spent in struggling, by the aid of a fine constitution, against the diseases and the effects of study, he fell in the midst of the brightest prospects of usefulness, a victim to his hasty efforts to be a scholar. Would not a thorough knowledge of physiology preserve both sexes from incalculable evil?" It appears that he met them accidentally and embarked with them, after making most of the necessary preparations; and, after passing through various difficulties in his way down the river, reached the ship. In consequence of the small sum of money which Mr. F. had, he was consigned to the steerage, but kindly supplied with necessaries by the captain. It was not until a week's confinement with sea-sickness (which perhaps was the very remedy which a kind Providence saw necessary) that he recovered his recollection; and then, he observes, his "mind, in an instant, was as clear and as rational as ever." The conclusion of his own letter The very singular case of Mr. Frothingham, described above, suggests, both to the philosopher and the divine, a variety of interesting reflections in reference to the action of mind on the corporeal functions, and to the goodness and care of a superin |