so rich in interest, so abundant in ready materials for its prosecution, and so impressive of the lesson that we live "in a bright and breathing world." 10. Like all things else, a walk of a summer's evening was turned to profitable account. Nothing could be more interesting to these children than to listen to the mysteries of the heavens, as they were unfolded 15 by their beloved teacher. And as they learned the names, distances, and revolutions of some of the visible planets, were they not taking lessons in the sublime science of astronomy? And while, with newborn rapture, they gazed upon "the multitude of the heavenly host, "Forever singing as they shine, what question was more naturally suggested to their inquiring minds than this: "Who made them all?" And what would be more likely to direct their thoughts upward from Nature to Nature's God? 11. But we must close our description. With a teacher whose whole soul was imbued16 with science-prodigal17 of his intellectual wealth-"his bounty boundless as the sea, his love as deep"-what branch of useful knowledge would be neglected in his constant intercourse with his pupils? Every object in nature, however seemingly insignificant-it might be a blade of grass, an insect's wing, a dew-drop, or a mote that floats in the sunbeam-would elicit18 inquiry, awaken thought, and lead to the explanation of interesting truths in philosophy; for those who early form habits of constant observation, and cultivate an inquiring state of mind, will find "Books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, 1 VĚN ́-ER-A-BLE, deserving of respect on ac-110 TÄSK'ED, called into exercise. 2 GAM'-BREL, having a double roof on each side. 3 DOR-MER, a window placed in a small gable in the roof. 4 GNÄRL'ED, knotty; full of knots. 11 BA-ZÄR', market-place; store-house. 14 EN-TO-MO-LOG'-IC-AL, pertaining to the 5 UN'-DU-LA-TING, rising and falling; hav-15 ing a wavy outline. 6 FUND, abundance. 7 IM-PÄRT-ING, communicating. 8 DE-VÕT'-ED, ardent; zealous. 9 PÄs'-TIMES, sports; amusements. UN-FOLD'-ED, explained; displayed. 17 PROD'-I-GAL, using freely; lavish. 1. "HAPPY the man, who, studying Nature's laws, Through known effects can trace the secret cause.' "Who was the author of these two lines?" said Mr. Maynard to five intelligent and attentive pupils, who had requested him to meet them every Saturday morning for the purpose of instruction in Natural Philosophy. This volunteer philosophy class was composed of three boys and two girls, who had solicited1 from him the favor of an hour's extra instruction once a week. 2. The request was most cheerfully complied with by the kind preceptor, who was never weary of the company of wisdom-loving scholars. The class consisted of Masters Frank, George, and John, and Misses Ida and Ella. Frank had al ways lived in a city, and had the name of being a good Latin scholar for a lad of fifteen. George, who was the son of a farmer near Glenwild, was fourteen years old, and was called good at figures, while John, whose father was a miller some miles up the valley, had astonished the gazing rustics by the ingenious contrivances he had introduced into a model mill, constructed by his own hands before he was thirteen years of age. He was now seventeen. 3. Ida, who was fifteen, had studied philosophy at a fashionable boarding-school, where they had a new and easy conveyance up the hill of science, something after the style of a sedan chair, in which she had paid her fare. Ella, as we have said, was the daughter of Mr. Maynard, and, from her familiarity with various pieces of apparatus, had gained many ideas of the study which she now for the first time engaged in; but she thought herself but a beginner, as her first lesson had not yet been recited. 4. "Who was the author of the lines I just repeated?" said Mr. M. "Virgil said about the same thing," replied Frank. "Right," said the teacher; "and the study is no less pleasing to boys and girls than to men, and no less pleasing now than it was two thousand years ago. Yes, Virgil was right. The study that leads to the explanation of the general properties of bodies, and the laws which they obey, is most delightful. 5. "The word philosophy," continued Mr. Maynard, "means a love of wisdom or knowledge; and one who consistently applies himself to acquire it is a philosopher, or lover of knowledge. Like Norval's father, whose constant care was to increase his store,' the student of philosophy should constantly seek to know the causes of things. 6. "As all our knowledge of things around us is derived3 through the medium of the senses-seeing, feeling, hearing, tasting, and smelling, and we may add lifting—the advice of Brutus to the Romans, 'Awake your senses, that you may the better judge,' applies to those who would study philosophy. They should be accurate observers of Nature; and in the boundless field which Nature opens they will find abundant materials to interest and instruct them. 7. "But let me explain to you, my young pupils, the nature of the study we are about to engage in. We shall have to learn why the balloon rises in the air, as well as why the diving-bell sinks in the water; how images are reflected from mirrors, or permanently fixed on metal or paper by the photographer;5 why water rises in a common pump, or is thrown by engines on the blazing building; how invisible wonders are revealed by the microscope, and the myriads of stars, unseen by the naked eye, appear by aid of the telescope; how, by the same wind, vessels can sail in opposite directions; what turns the needle toward the pole, or conveys intelligence with lightning speed; the causes of clouds and rainbows; of winds, and dew, and rain; of thunder and of lightning. The barometer, the thermometer, and the various instruments of modern scientific investigation will also claim our attention." 8. Here Miss Ida ventured to remark that she had often seen the expression, "the charms of Nature," and had always supposed the study of Nature was more poetical than philosophical-that it treated of such things as beautiful scenery, and birds, and flowers, and winding streams, and cooling fountains; and that, while it was a very pleasant and agreeable study, it was not particularly useful. 9. "I am not surprised," said Mr. Maynard, "that you should have entertained this view of the study of Nature, for it is the view most frequently expressed in poetry; but it is only a partial view of that great subject. We shall find, as Hamlet expresses it, that 'there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamed of in our philosophy,' if our knowledge of Nature has been limited to its outward aspects, to the neglect of the great principles and laws, of which the charms of Nature' that you speak of are merely the outward expression." 10. Ida did not seem fully to understand these remarks, and Mr. Maynard continued: "It will afford me much pleasure to illustrate the truths of philosophy by many pleasing and instructive experiments, as we meet from time to time. I will assign you a subject for our next interview, and hope you will find out all you can about it from any books you may have on Philosophy, as well as from conversation with your schoolmates and others. In order to aid you in your pleasant task, I will allow you to examine any books in my own library, and I assure you you will find much interesting matter for our conversations in books not called Philosophies. Our first topic will be the Properties of Matter." 11. With this introductory explanation of the nature of the subject, Mr. Maynard dismissed his pupils, who, however, stopped a short time on the lawn in front of the building, talking over various topics which his remarks had suggested. Then they separated to make preparations for the enjoyment of their Saturday's holiday. Ida and Ella, accompanied by Frank, and Ella's younger brothers Edward and Charles, were going down the glen to gather wild flowers; and John and George were going, as usual, to their respective homes to pass the Sabbath, and return to school on the Monday following. 1 SO-LIC'-IT-ED, earnestly requested. 14 ME'-DI-UM, the means or instrument. 2 PROP-ER-TIES, the peculiar or essential 5 PHO-TOGʻ-RA-PHER, one who takes pictures qualities of a thing; thus, extension and figure are properties of bodies. 3 DE-RIVED', received; obtained. by the daguerreotype. 6 EN-TER-TAIN'ED, had; had in mind. LESSON III. THE PROPERTIES OF MATTER. 1. SATURDAY morning having arrived, the members of our Volunteer Philosophy Class were again assembled in the library at the hour appointed. As they had frequently talked over the subject of the lesson with each other during the week, and had found some difficulties attending it, the remarks of the teacher were looked forward to with much interest. Mr. Maynard, having requested them to be seated, thus began: 2. Mr. M. Strange as it may seem to you, my young pupils, some learned men have denied the existence of every kind of matter whatever. Berkeley, the ingenious Bishop of Cloyne, whose portrait is conspicuous in the Trumbull Gallery of Paintings in Yale College, was one of those philosophers who in earnest argument denied that there is any matter. Of him Byron wrote, |