But lest, on this part of my subject, I should be esteemed official in my opinion, it becomes me to adduce example, and shew the opinion of others. Is Milton the most sublime of writers? And is he recommended to those who would improve and exalt their understandings? Who does not know, that he drew his loftiest conceptions from the inspired volume? His pious acknowledgment of dependence on the Supreme Being on that occasion when he was seeking some theme for his epic talent, deserves to be remembered. "This," says he, is not to be obtained, but by devout prayer to that Eternal Spirit, that can enrich with all utterance and knowledge, and sends out his Seraphim, with the hallowed fire of his altar, to touch and purify the lips of whom he pleases." Was Chatham a Genius? And can we have any confidence, that he understood the aids which it most requires? Littleton, that Littleton who will not be suspected of a prejudice in favour of inspiration, says of Chatham; "He read the sermons of Barrow, as containing a mine of energetick expression; but not content to correct and instruct his imagination by the works of mortal men, he borrowed his noblest images from the language of inspiration." If familiar with the Sacred Writings, we can scarcely read the speeches of that great man, and observe the majesty of his thoughts and the simplicity of his diction, without perceiving some resemblance to the inspired descriptions of Deity, and prophetic denunciations against the foes of God.

Will it be said, that however favourable religious contemplations may be to poetry or eloquence; they cannot be supposed to aid the Genius of philosophy, where minute and accurate research is necessary? Not to mention others, was Sir Robert Boyle a philosopher? One of his intimate acquaintance testified, that, for twenty years, he had never known that extraordinary man to utter the name of God, without a perceptible pause, both before and after it. His religion and

philosophy went hand in hand. His examination of nature led him to its Author; and devotion to its Author induced him to examine His works. His reverence for Deity forbade him to consider the least particle of dust beneath his study, since nothing had been made in vain.

By the solemn sanctions of duty, the Christian is bound to improve his understanding, by all the aids in his power. The cultivation both of his moral and intellectual nature, is enforced by positive command and the highest authorities. "Be ye wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." "In malice be ye children; but in understanding be men."

The necessity of instructors as an aid of Genius, is familiar enough; but in what qualifications the peculiar excellency of instructors who shall promote Genius, consists, is not always distinctly understood. We require, that they should be well acquainted with the science or art which they teach, in order that the information they impart may be neither incorrect nor deficient. But this is not the only, and I am almost ready to say, it is not the chief qualification of an instructor calculated to give the most effectual aid to Genius. It is not the knowledge imparted by an instructor that can exalt a Genius. The master's instructions are but preparatory to what the scholar must afterwards acquire by his own exertions. A real Genius is not so far a factitious being, as to be a mere compound of what has entered his eyes from books, and his ears from his tutor and professor; he is entrusted, principally, with the management of his own mind; and may be more accurately compared to those vessels which move by their own fires, than to those which are driven by external forces. Yet instructors are necessary; and in instructors, a love of what they teach, an enthusiasm in imparting instruction, is essentially requisite. They must impart heat as well as light. Genius must be excited to seek its own stores;

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and have a zeal enkindled, which shall pursue its objects with increasing ardour, when its instuctors are, perhaps, silent in the grave. No matter if he who instructs in any particular branch, overrates the comparative importance of his favourite study. It will have a tendency rather favourable, than otherwise. He who instructs in mathematicks, may be indulged with dwelling upon a proposition, with the same fondness, with which another would peruse a fine poem; and may describe with rapture the excellence and importance of his science. A chemical instructor, in order to aid Genius in his art, may feel something of the zeal of those, who expected by that art to change all substances into gold. When in his golden views," he is supremely blest," attention is awakened, and listening Genius not only receives present instruction, but a spirit for future acquisitions. Were I to attend lectures on oratory, I should value the enthusiasm of a Cicero for his art, more than even the correctness of Blair; and should estimate the glowing ardour of Longinus more highly than the particularity of Quinctilian. The Genius of eloquence will be effectually aided by him, who unites the influence of example with the authority of precept; who, while he rises to the sources of eloquence, and pourtrays" all things beautiful, all things grand, all things sublime, in native loveliness," appears himself sublime as his imagery; and while exhibiting to others the power and charms of eloquence, is enamoured of his subject, and cannot but partake "the richest pleasures of fruition."

Were the aid of patronage to Genius regarded according to its necessity, your attention should not be fatigued by any remarks upon a point so plain. On this part of our subject, it is more consistent with our proposed design to adapt our remarks to those from whom patronage may be expected, than to those who may be more immediately benefitted by it, and who already feel sufficiently its importance. So essential

is liberal patronage to Genius, that we are, perhaps, scarcely to expect great literary men in this country, until our Mæcenases shall have become more numerous. Literature is not, bere, made a profession, because some more specifick employment must be followed to obtain a maintenance. But we will not look for what cannot be expected. We will, for the present, relinquish the idea, that our country will soon rise to literary fame, by such patronage as furnishes individuals with all requisite means, and devotes them exclusively to literary pursuits. We may however hope, that our seminaries of learning will not be overlooked by the affluent and generous; for it would be wrong not to acknowledge the liberality that has been shewn. Men of wealth withhold their patronage from Genius, not because they would have no inclination toward such a disposal of a part of their possessions, but because the necessity of this patronage is not made sufficiently the subject of their attention. The first accumulations of property are made for support, and to emulate superior possessions. Amidst this anxiety and competition, the patronage of learning is forgotten. But there is hope, that the benevolent, when they stand no longer in any reasonable fear of want, and when they perceive that they have few rivals, and that such is the lot of mortals, they shall soon have none-will cast a look of compassion upon the wants of Genius, and extend the hand of relief. Surely even the parent has a right to contribute to so worthy an object. It is the privilege of his cares and toils. If he love his children, he may esteem it an advantage to them, to be connected by a parent's liberality, with the friendship of the wise whom he has patronised; he may expect that his children will attract the affection and respect of many, at the same time for their own virtues and the parent's sake.

While encouraging patronage as an aid of Genius, you will permit me one word in respect to our beloved

Institution. For some years, it was the chief cause of regret among the friends of Brown University, that when its numbers were increasing with almost unexampled rapidity, its professors and officers proving their ability and diligence ;—the walls of this Seminary were not commensurate with its other advantages. Fears were entertained, and by some, harsh and precipitate murmurs were suggested, that zeal was wanting, to furnish accommodations for the youth who were desirous of enjoying the other distinguished literary privileges here presented. But time has dissipated those fears, or rather, shewn them to have been groundless. The praise of the standing Patron* of this University, needs no apology. His benevolence is too sincere and ardent to require the stimulus of flattery; too modest not to shrink from its just applause. But it is too wise in its direction, too liberal in its extent, too important in its results, as well as too beneficial in its example, and too grateful to the lovers of science, to pass without a tribute of the most respectful gratitude. He employs the bounty of Providence, in gathering just " honours for his name and garlands for his grave."

We may be indulged the privilege of congratulating the town, whose soil is sufficiently exuberant to produce such fruits as we see fast ripening. For the time has come, when, if the stranger shall ask us, what are the channels in which flow the wealth of a town, surpassing in proportion to its population, most other capitals of the Union, by its present activity and means of accumulating;-we may not only point him to your numerous splendid and far-famed temples of worship; but to yonder eminence, which you are literally making the "Hill of Science." Methinks he will blush and hang his head to say, that your principles of liberty

* Hon. NICHOLAS BROWN, of Providence, who, in addition to his former liberal donations to the Institution, is erecting a spacious College edificę.