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THE CULTIVATION OF THE MIND.—A BROTHER'S GRAVE.

as far as regards the sceptic, the efficacy of an essential good, without the substitution of another in its stead. Learning itself is not to be branded with the crimes of sophistry and scepticism; the reproach falls on the improper use its possessors make of it; and hence it is to be understood that the heart, not the head, is chargeable with these unwarrantable sins against the great Creator. I do not make this affirmation that the learned may be careless what use they make of their valuable endowments. On the contrary, they are required to be cautious; for, according to their mental possessions, will the God of wisdom and truth require the fruit thereof at their hands. But what I would wish to enforce is, that the heart misleads the head, and that the abler the head is, the more will the heart, if it be corrupt, lead it into grievous and irretrievable errors. With regard to true wisdom, the wisdom to salvation, not that wisdom which embraces the sciences and philosophy of this world, but that which is of far more importance, comprehending the philosophy of the heart, and the science of living well, it may be said, and said truly too, that human learning is not essential to its attainment. For, if it were, how could the vast mass of our fellow-creatures expect ever to attain the blessedness of heaven? It is an

infallible proof of the infinite wisdom of God, that the path to eternal life is indiscriminately open to all, and that the plans and systems, unfolded by the gospel, are so plain and easy, that the slenderest capacity may understand them, and the most illiterate man upon earth read his title clear to mansions in the skies. Yet I cannot help thinking, that, though human learning is neither indispensable nor absolutely necessary to the attainment of eternal life, it may, in many respects, be considered as a beneficial possession to the true. Christian.

The man, destitute of it, must be content to believe, either because others believe, or because he may feel that it is agreeable to his wishes, or his ease, to hope for eternal rest hereafter. But the man of knowledge and reflection can trace God's dealings with his people in the different dispensations of his providence; view mankind falling off to various kinds of idolatry; and, finally, behold the glorious establishment of Christianity from the stock of Jesse; God's remnant and peculiar people, bearing down all opposition, and destined to annihilate all religions of man's device-all the idolatry of the heathen nations. These reflections are certainly pleasing; and,though they are not immediately essential to salvation, yet they may, without doubt, agree

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ably and advantageously occupy the mind of the Christian, surrounded as he is with so many incentives to immorality, and so many embarrassments in his Christian warfare.

But to revert to the arguments with which I set out :—having, as I think, shown a few of the most prominent features and good effects of a well-informed mind, I would recommend to British parents and preceptors a liberal and religious education, as the means best calculated to establish a nation's independence, and to confer on its inhabitants honour and dignity. It is a man's prudence and knowledge, not his strength or his stature, that gain him the ascendant over his fellows: it is the wisdom and policy of a kingdom, not the number of its inhabitants, that give it pre-eminence over neighbouring states, and enable it to give laws to nations. Individual good must be consulted, and the public good will be sure to follow. The genuine benefits of life spring from mental attainments, to acquire which we have only to exert ourselves: we have the means.

England, perhaps, can boast of better and more numerous seminaries for the instruction of her youth than most other countries. It is, therefore, devoutly to be wished, that a benefit so important as education may be more generally disseminated, and that a spirit may universally prevail, to improve and expand the mental faculties of the rising generation. The cultivation of the mind begets the purest pleasures; and knowledge is a national blessing. It breathes liberal sentiments. It is friendly to the temporal concerns of life, and it enhances the sweets of spiritual intercourse. England, therefore, be solicitous to bring up her sons and daughters in her distinguished seminaries, and to infuse into their tender minds an unconquerable attachment to rational liberty, and an ardent desire to obtain the liberty of the gospel.

Let

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indulged in all those beautiful visions of hope, that throng the heart of him who has tasted but little of the gall of disappointment. Spring, in her youthful gaiety, invited him to her seeming amaranthine bowers of bliss, and appeared to deck the landscape with bloom and beauty, but to woo his soul to happiness. It has been said, that the pleasure which proceeds from the imagination is always greater than that which is ever realized. But we are the creatures of hope; and though the exalted flights of fancy are often checked and mortified, yet there are few who do not at times give loose to their reasoning powers, and revel in such an innocent source of gratification. So Charles felt, as his vehicle rolled on, and he was indulging in a pleasing reverie. First, came the favourite Tray, which used to be the companion of all his solitary rambles, leaping and fawning with every demonstration of joy. Then his brother and friend, endeared to him by every bond of affection and sympathy Edward was the very soul of sensibility. Retired and modest, he possessed those qualities, which are never found but by a diligent search, but which, in the end, greatly increase our admiration. He resembled some blushing violet, whose charms are hidden beneath a bed of leaves, but when brought forth to the inquiring eye, its sweetness gratifies, and its modesty pleases. Mild and unobtrusive; such an one as Gray pictured to himself, when he so felicitously used the metaphor—

"Full many a gem of purest ray serene,

The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear;
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness in the desert air."

It is not, then, surprising that Charles, though entirely of a different cast, should be so firmly attached to his brother Edward for Providence has wisely ordained, that often when two minds, in many respects completely opposite, meet together, they are the most indissolubly united; especially when affection cements the union. Thus have we seen the woodbine entwined with the rose. Where strength is deficient in the one, it repays the other with the compensation of beauty and elegance. So close is the endearment, that the rude hand which separates them, leaves both perhaps to pine away and die.

Next in imagination came his sister, in all the loveliness and gaiety of youth; partaking of the natural susceptibility of the sex, enlivened by her buoyancy of spirit; yet graceful even in the tenderness of grief. Last of all, approached his aged parents, venerable in years; the mother yielding

to transports of joy, while the father stood absorbed in contemplation, with a smile of satisfaction. In the background were the faithful servants, who had spent the greater part of their lives in the service of the family, waiting to be recognized.

Beattie.

Such were the pleasing thoughts of Charles, as he drew near the family seat; but these were dissipated by the surrounding prospect, which forcibly brought to his mind the events of seasons long past, but never to be forgotten; where he had sported many a day in the path of childhood and youth, as the minstrel sweetly sings, "Warbling and sauntering carelessly along; Where every face was innocent and gay, Each vale romantic, tuneful every tongue." On yonder eminence, amid the shade of a bower, was the spot where he had read, mused, and studied with all the delight of boyhood; and there, Edward, with the ingenuity of an artist, had sketched many a pleasing landscape. In those verdant meadows, and through that copse, flowed the rippling brook, upon whose banks they had often sat. Within that grove was the favourite walk, called, by the association of ideas, "Mackenzie's Walk." For here had they often perused with delight, and conversed on the elegance and beauty of that author's compositions.

Wishing to afford the inmates the pleasure of a surprise, Charles left the chaise at the end of the avenue, and walked to the house. As he drew near, all seemed silent as the tomb. His favourite Tray, indeed, appeared, by an instinctive impulse, to be aware of his arrival, and went forth to meet him. But there seemed to be expressed, amid the caresses of his joy, a melancholy howl, which immediately caught his young master's attention. Springing forward with the most acute anxiety, he followed the dog to the house. The windows were closed, and the curtains drawn-the dreadful reality poured upon his brain-"I have lost some dear object," exclaimed he to himself. "Oh, merciful Heaven! support me under the trial. Well do I know that whom thou lovest thou chastenest, and that the phial of affliction, though bitter in its draught, is productive of the best effects. Then teach me to submit to thy decrees." A servant opened the hall door, but recognized her young master only by a mournful smile.

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MISSIONARY COMMUNICATIONS.

corpse. The lid of the coffin was being screwed on when he entered. The workmen ceased their operations. The afflicted brother tore away the covering, to gaze on the features of his beloved Edward. Pale and thoughtful as usual-the hectic flush had departed from his cheek. Charles knelt, to kiss his marble features; a sigh struggled from his heart; a tear stole from his eye. He appeared to be momentarily lost in silent communion with his Maker. Forgetful of the presence of bystanders, his hands were clasped, while his lips quivered with the most mournful ejaculations. One of the men who stood near, possessed of a feeling heart under a rough exterior, offered the words of comfort "There was hope in his death," said he; "he was a good young man-he died like a Christian, and may my last end be like his!" "It is true," returned Charles; "he is gone to a better world." "Yes, sir," continued the other, "a world where nei

ther moth nor rust can corrupt, or thieves break through and steal."

His heart was too full to converse, and his grief too great to be consoled. Bidding adieu to the remains of his brother, Charles sought the rest of the family. His sister, who till then had scarcely known sorrow, was arrayed in a sable garb. Upon their meeting she burst into tears, and fell into her brother's arms. He could scarcely hope to give that consolation which he himself had refused, but wiped away the falling tears. "Oh! what has passed," exclaimed he, "since I have left my home! Little thought I, that our meeting would be clouded by so melancholy an event." The reflection momentarily overpowered both. However, endeavouring to assume a cheerful countenance, his sister led him to his disconsolate parents. His mother at first seemed to forget the loss of one son, in the return of another. Then, as if recollecting herself, she would break out into incoherent expressions, "My dear Edward! My darling boy!" But the father, venerable even in sorrow, though silently brooding over his misfortune, attempted to pacify her, and teach her to yield to the decrees of Providence. Yet it was not difficult to trace paternal feelings in those expressions of grief which disturbed the look of resignation.

The funeral procession was in a short time prepared. The sable hearse, decked with nodding plumes, silently proceeded to the village churchyard; and, it may be imagined, the hearts of the mourners were engaged in the most serious reflections. Many were the villagers whom his benevo

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lent disposition had attached to him, that followed the mournful train of the deceased. Sincere was their sorrow; indeed, their honest simplicity had scarcely learned to feign. Now behold him consigned to the grave, while over his remains,

"Some frail memorial still erected nigh,"

proclaims the place of his interment.

Here would Charles delight to retire, and ponder upon the instability of human life; to imagine that, though all their favourite scenes of resort seemed lonely and deserted, now he was no more, yet this hallowed spot might be rendered doubly dear by the presence of his spirit; that though his earthly form was enshrouded in the tomb, yet his presiding angel might hover near those remains which were at once guarded and blessed. Here, in his melancholy mood, would he hold sweet converse with the soul of the departed. Here, secluded from the world, would he give up his entire thoughts to dwell upon the bliss of an hereafter, when (if we know our friends in heaven) their beings might again be assimilated. Here, too, would he confess the truth of that which was engraven on his tomb-"Childhood and Youth are vanity." J. A. B.

Beaconsfield.

MISSIONARY COMMUNICATIONS.

AN absence of a great number of years had rendered London strange to me, and me a stranger in London, when I visited this metropolis, with a view of permanently taking up my residence therein.

Having every where, during my travels, beheld the impiety and wretchedness of the Hebrews, as a people, and the awful influence of their unceasing blasphemies, creating and confirming infidels in their irreligious principles and practices, and long laboured to induce them to flee from the wrath to come; I was desirous, immediately on my arrival, of reviewing their condition in the British metropolis. In order to know a people, I conceive it is needful to behold them amidst their domestic relations; as it is there, and perhaps there alone, that they are themselves. Unwarped by the numerous personifications, put on for the moment during an itinerant existence amongst strangers, amidst the family circle, and in the fraternity of kindred souls, the man comes out from behind the mask, and in his proper person stands confest be

fore you.

In London there are districts where the Hebrews live in communities of hundreds, yea, even thousands, with only a very slight

intermixture of Gentiles; and in some cases without any alloy, from house to house, all are Hebrews. There the countenance, the manner, the voice, the pursuits, the exterior and interior economy of their dwelling -all, and almost equally so, are national"Ben-Israel" is written upon the whole.

There I visited the chosen people, beheld their impiety and misery, and resolved to devote my future leisure to that labour of love, which beholds the perishing sinner, yearns over his wretchedness, and ceases not to strive and pray, if haply one of these brands may be snatched from the burning.

Could I visit the Hebrews empty-handed? No. I saw every where lacking, humility, and devotion, the fear of the Lord, the knowledge of His will, and conformity to His holy law. One thing is needful, I exclaimed, viz. the Bible-the Old and the New Testament. To these, thousands of Hebrews are strangers, and to both almost equally alike. Providing these, and also portions of them, in the form of tracts, with the name of Jesus, the Redeemer of men, upon my lips, I moved on, amidst the Jews' quarter, from house to house, and every where prayed that He, who came to save, would visit these wanderers from His fold, with salvation.

That bold and haughty feature in the soul of man, which scornfully dictates to a fellow man, "Stand aside; for I am more holy than thou!" I found every where rampant in these British sons of Israel; who contumeliously scoffed and blasphemed, even to the harrowing up of my soul. Jesus, the Christ of God, whom I adore the Son of God, the Redeemer of men, whose Name is like ointment poured forth to my soul; with these was Jesus of Nazareth, upon whose name opprobrium hung, and upon whom was poured scorn-scorn not to be expressed without contemptuous spitting. Instead of mild contention for truth, the clamour of malevolence and despite arose, like the confusions of Babel, and ran from street to street, from court to court, from house to house, and from man to man; yea, even the very children took up the scorning, and clamorously pursued the hated object, who had thus protruded himself upon them in their own quarter. I ventured, and again and again met this scorning, until weariness of abuse induced a calm; yet, ever and anon, the Babel rearises, even to this day.

With the sons of Jacob, the servant must not expect to be more highly favoured than his Lord. "He made Himself of no reputation, He humbled Himself, leaving us an example, that we should follow in His

steps; He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross;" and lowly must they bow who name His Name in the midst of Israel. Yet shall that day arrive when, "at the Name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Then shall the servant rejoice with his Lord; but in the meantime he is called to labour and suffer for His sake. W. COLDWELL.

NOTES ON SIR H. DAVY'S ELEVENTH LECTURE, DELIVERED IN DUBLIN, NOVEMBER 27, 1810.

THE second class of inflammable bodies are the metals; by the action of the air, heat, or by the first class, viz. oxygen and oxymuriatic acid gas, they are altered in their appearance, and from having an opaque lustre, malleability, and ductility, they are reduced to a white and vitreous powder.

This, according to the hypothesis of Professor Davy, is effected in each of them in proportion to their relation to positive electricity, making the acids so far negative to them; and if this is true, the metals which are most positive will act most in the air; and those which are most negative will act least. Zinc, which is in the highest degree positive, acts accordingly.

Hence, the most negative are least combustible; for the intensity of combustion depends on the degree of positive electricity with respect to the combining body.

From this examination it is found, that the attraction of metals for oxygen is nearly in the ratio of their specific gravities; and this corroborates the hypothesis, that chemical and electrical powers flow from one cause or primary law of attraction. Hence, gold is not dissolved or oxidated by nitric acid, because oxygen has more attraction for nitre than for gold; but zinc, or tin, is dissolved in it so quickly, as to cause combustion; and in the same ratio metals are precipitated from solution.

A solution of copper in aquafortis is precipitated by a bit of iron, and, from a clear blue liquor, the copper in powder falls down and coats the iron, by the superior attraction which the oxygen of the nitre has for it or spill some solution on a plate of iron, it is coppered. Iron is found positive to copper, and copper negative to iron. Copper precipitates mercury by the same law.

Whatever is in the highest degree positive precipitates the rest, and whatever is

NOTES ON SIR H. DAVY'S ELEVENTH LECTURE.

positive to another, precipitates it.-Exper. The smoking, liquor of Libavius, and the oils of metals, mentioned by the older chemists, were anticipations of the oxymuriatic gas in combination with copper and other metals.

The new metals, such as potasium having more affinity for oxygen than the old, are found to precipitate them.-Exper. Potasium precipitates iron.

The composition of phosphorus and oxymuriatic gas, with potasium on one part, and oxymuriatic gas with sulphur on the other part, on the contact of the onetwentieth part of a grain of each, explode as loud as a pistol-shot.

Charcoal revives metals from their oxides; it has no action on oxymuriatic gas, and therefore cannot affect its combinations. All metals are determined to the negative side. Earths of silex and alumine, when slightly moistened with water, give metal by joining iron wire to it, from which it

may be separated, but it is recomposed into earth it does not join with mercury as soda; but the lecturer, employed, potasium, which has a great affinity for silex and alumine, from which he concluded their metals have affinity to it. He passed potasium in vapour through a tube of platina into dry silex, and then ignited it; some potasium ascended, and was destroyed. Leaving a glass of potasium and silex in the midst of this glass, he saw a dark pod, which he examined by a microscope, and found it a metal of silex, which in water recomposed its earth. It is like the new metal found in North America, called Columbia, in its refractory disunited state. Quicklime and magnesia afford better results in the same process, with the addition of mercury. The metal of lime has a dark grey lustre, and recomposes lime in water it is heavier than water. Strontites afforded metal in like manner, but barytes did not.

Soon after Professor Davy made potasium, he fell sick, and the French prosecuted his discovery, making it in large quantities in a crooked gun-barrel, by layers of potash and charcoal; by a white heat at one end, they got potasium at the other end. This invention is improved by cutting the barrel, and fixing screws and safety-tubes. This mode affords sodium also in sufficient quantity for experiment.

The potasium the French made was not perfect; it was mixed with charcoal, and can be called only a pyrophilus. The French said potasium was a sulphuret of potash, but after two years' discussion they gave it up.

2D. SERIES. NO. 1.-VOL. I.

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Pearlash and charcoal in a tube of porcelain ignited, make pyrophilus, or impure sodium. Charcoal and potasium combined, burn in air, and is brilliant in oxygen; in water it is recomposed.

Pyrophilus, which was discovered 140 years ago, might have led to the search for potasium.- Exper. Calcine alum and sugar in a bottle to redness, and when the blue flame ceases, it is made. This takes fire on exposure to air: potash and sulphur, calcined together in the same way, will also burn on exposure to the air.

The component parts of alum are potash, alumine, and sulphuric acid.

No pyrophilus can be made without

alkali in some form.

Potash and oxide of tellurium combine by a spirit, lamp-heat. Potasium in a retort, exhausted, and then affixed to a bottle of carbonic acid gas, decomposes the gas; the charcoal is separated from the acid, and coats the side of the retort.

Potash contains 16 per cent. of water. I' Soda contains water and pure alkali. Oxide of arsenic becomes an acid in water.

Potasium and mercury, with some heat, form an amalgam, which, being poured out, is, when cool, quite hard, and appears in solid crystals. In water it revives in the form of mercury and potash.

Alkali, in a platina cup, in a furnace with a strong blast, burns in flame, on the arsenical acid being poured in; and, holding a glass over it, water is caught in it, for the arsenical acid decomposes the water from the potash.

Boracic acid on red-hot soda produces water in the same manner.

Sodium is made in a very small quantity by the charcoal method; but by using two parts of potasium, one of sodium is easily made.-Exper. Potasium decomposes common salt, and the result is sodium; for the gas does not hold the metal in solution, but the gas of potasium holds the hydrogen, and would burn as inflammable air.

Another French theory was, that potasium is a compound of hydrogen and potash.-Exper. Burn potasium in oxymuriatic gas. If it was a compound, water must be disengaged: but this is not the case; hence, it is SIMPLE. It may be asked, Why is potasium negative, if it combines with oxygen?

Being slowly burned in air, it is oxygenized, and will then give its superfluous oxygen to zinc, or other superior attraction of oxygen, and it becomes potash.

The hyper-oxide of potasium and sodium are of an orange colour.

E

145.-VOL. XIII.

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