I thought so till I saw the bloom
Upon the roses fade,

And marked the dry and withered leaves
That strewed the wintry glade.

They told me that the sunshine slept
Upon earth's verdant hills,
And sparkled in the limpid course
Of rippling mountain rills.

I knew not that the glowing ray
Must pale as night come on,
And darkness shroud each fav'rite spot
The sun had shone upon.

They spoke of towers, and palaces,
Of domes and gilded fanes:
I mark'd the ruins time had made,
And felt my search was vain.
In vain I've winged my rapid flight
To earth's remotest spot,

In vain I've sought my prize to find
One thing that changes not.

They told me that the mind of man
Was noble in its aim,

Endowed with gifts which angels share,
With powers which gods might claim;
Immortal in its destiny,

It could not know decay,

A spark from Heaven can ne'er go out,
However faint its ray.

Elate with hope, I hover'd near
At last my prize to find;

But, ah! the mind of changing man
Is fickler than the wind.

For prejudice and wrong have warped

Those minds I've dared to scan;

And gilded baubles change or mar
This better part of man.

They told me that the human heart

Knew strong and changeless ties;

That naught but death could break the links

Of kindred sympathies.

I marked the glow that earthly love

O'er every scene could fling;

E'en to an angel's eye it seemed

A pure and holy thing.

Yet time would quench-estrangement chill

The current of its flow;

Naught but a mother's love could bide

Through this world's weal or wo.

I saw it cling to worthless ones,

Herself, her love, forgot;

It was almost the prize I sough
One thing that changes not.

They said that hope could cheer the soul
With an undying ray;

But I have seen its light illume

Grow pale and fade away.

Oh! earth has not one boon to give,
Within its widest range,

That feels not Time's decaying touch,
That knows not blight or change.

I'll spread my wings, and speed my flight
Back to my starry home,

Where kindred spirits chaunt their songs
To greet me as I come.

Farewell, oh earth, in yonder sphere

Is cast my happier lot,

There ye may seek a better world—
A world that changes not.

[Democratic Rev.]

FORMATION OF CHARACTER.

To the acquisition of extensive knowledge, incessant application and industry are necessary. Nothing great or good has ever been achieved without them. Be willing then to labor-be not satisfied with superficial attainments, but accustom yourselves to habits of accurate and thorough investigation. Explore the foundations and first principles of every science. It is observed by Locke, that "there are fundamental truths that lie at the bottom-the basis upon which a great many others restand in which they have their consistency: there are teeming truths rich in stores, with which they furnish the mind; and like the lights of heaven, are not only beautiful and interesting in themselves, but give light and evidence to other things, that, without them, could not be seen or known." These are the truths with which we should endeavor to enrich our minds. Be select in your reading-become familiar with the writings of the great master spirits of the world, who will enrich your minds with profound, enlarged and exalted views; and who, while they form you to habits of just and noble thinking, will also teach you to cherish pure and generous feelings. If you would make these thorough acquisitions, you must guard against the immoderate indulgence of your passions, and the seductions of evil companions. A life of dissipation and pleasure is death to superior excellence. A body invigorated by habits of temperance and self-denial, and a mind undisturbed by unholy passions, serene and cheerful in conscious rectitude, are most powerful auxiliaries in the pursuit of science.

It is equally important for you to guard against self-sufficiency and vanity. This temper is an effectual barrier to high intellectual improvements. Frequently reflect upon the small exter

and imperfection of your attainments-on the vast regions of science that are yet unexplored by you-on the hidden stores of learning which are contained in the ten thousand books that you have never read or seen, or of which, perhaps, you have not even heard. Remember, too, the lofty attainments that have been made by some profound scholars both of ancient and modern days. I would recommend you to read, in early life, a few well selected biographies of men who were distinguished for their general knowledge. Read the lives of Demosthenes, of Erasmus, of Newton, of Locke, of Hale, of Haller, of Doddridge, of Johnson, and of such accomplished and illustrious scholars. Observe the ardent attachment and intense industry with which they cultivated science, and the astonishing acquirements which they made, their high valuation of time and careful improvement of it-compare your attainments and habits with theirs-not to repose in sluggish despondency, but to rouse yourself from apathy and sloth to a noble emulation of rising to an equality with theni.

It was by no secret magic that these mighty scholars attained to distinction and fame-it was by patient, persevering, untiring industry. If the eloquence of Demosthenes shook, with its thunder, the throne of a Philip, and ruled the fierce democracy of Athens, and if the vehement denunciations and powerful appeals of Cicero drove Catiline from the senate house, and made Cæsar tremble, it was by the private studies and profound meditations of the closet, their minds having been invigorated, and expanded, and enriched, and ennobled with diversified knowledge, lofty sentiment and generous feeling. If Newton, with a flight more adventurous than the eagle's, soaring to the very boundaries of creation-if he explained the laws that govern the universe, and let in a new flood of light upon the world-it was ardent attachment to science; it was intense, patient, untiring industry, that gave to the pinions of his mind that vigor which elevated and sustained him at so lofty a height. If Locke and Reed have dispelled the darkness that has for ages settled on the human intellect, and have freed the sciences of the mind from the intricacies and subtleties of the schools, it was not merely by the force of their own genius, but by deep, patient and repeated meditation and study. If Burke charmed listening senates by the masculine strength and brilliancy of his thoughts; if Mansfield and our own Hamilton illumined the bar by the splendor of their learning and eloquence; if Hall and Chalmers proclaimed from the pulpit immortal strains, it was not only because they ranked among the first scholars, but also among the most laborious men of their age. Contemplate the character of these illustrious men, imitate their industry, their eager love of learning, and the zeal with which they pursued it, and you may equal them.