the moral of his plays so fully and happily brought out, that his works may become a living source of moral instruction. We have thus hinted at some of the excellencies, which entitle these two great English poets to the distinguished eminence they now occupy. Excellences that will command admiration, as long as there exists in the human breast its native sense of beauty, and its latent sympathy with all that is appropriate, touching, grand and lovely. The names of Shakspeare and Milton reflect the highest glory upon the country of their birth. Their fame is a part of England's noblest inheritance, and forms the just cause of her pride and boast. Their works bear not the impress of common minds, they are not the puny and perishing efforts of ordinary men, but the durable monuments of strong and gifted intellect.

He who writes, not for his own time merely, but for extensive and lasting renown, must labor from the impulses of deep, original genius. It is a work reserved for the far-sighted, those who may send keen and searching glances into the future, and who can anticipate, in some degree, the wants, as well as the judgment, of posterity. R....

HOME.

HOME! oh, home! how I long to be home,

When the clear, bright days of the spring time come;

When nature, wrapped in a robe of light,

Wears a smile on her face, as pure and bright

As the angel-guide, when he ushers in

To heaven, a soul redeemed from sin.

Home! oh, home! how I long to be home,
O'er the fair green fields of spring to roam;
The first sweet breath of the flowers to seize,
As they toss their heads in the morning breeze,
And their fragrance send, toward the rising sun,
As their incense gift to the Glorious One;

The first, sweet song of the birds to hear,
As they welcome back the beautiful year,
And the groves and fields with their melody fill,
Which gushes forth, like a murmuring rill,
Proclaiming that spring with her joyous train,
Has come to the lonely earth again.

In many a place have I seen and heard

The spring's first flower, and sweet-toned bird;
But they come to the heart with a fresher flow,
With a kindlier thrill, and a warmer glow,
When seen and heard at the home we love;
When amid the scenes of our youth we rove.

E. Y. T.

No portion of American history, will be read with deeper interest in after ages than that which records the progress of the human mind towards independence-its struggles to rend asunder the shackles which have fettered its freedom; and not the least interesting part of that history, is the influence which individuals have exerted, in its consummation.

The past, to every American, is full of admonitory lessons; lessons, which we are not at liberty to disregard. And in proportion as our early history becomes well understood, and its influence on the general welfare of mankind is made known and appreciated, the virtues which that age reflected, must become more and more dear to memory. To us, who are now gathering the fruits of their labors who toiled not for themselves, the recollections of those toils, cannot fail to awaken the liveliest emotions of gratitude; and it should be no less an incitement to confirm and justify their hopes, than our own wishes for the future and permanent happiness of our race.

While we must acknowledge to a former age, a sincerity of zeal and singleness of patriotism, perhaps unsurpassed, we think it unnecessary, because it is unjust, to decry what is so often called the degeneracy of the present. If we see, even in the best men, an infusion of selfish motives, we can also discover, disinterested efforts to make the condition of our country, what it should be from the great promise of its beginning. In the infancy of our freedom, with all its facilities for attaining to distinguished honors, only men of eminent talents could rise to eminent stations, and men of integrity and principles alone, could embalm their names in honorable remembrance. To be numbered among that constellation of heroes who acted so distinguished a part in our early struggles is honor enough. shine conspicuous there, is a glory permitted to but few of mortals. It was the good fortune of Mr. Ames to share that glorya glory which will brighten and brighten to "the last syllable of recorded time."

To

We do not speak of Mr. Ames to praise the severity of federalism, or to decry the laxity of democracy; but to contemplate his character as a man-the maturity of his wisdom, the perfection of his virtues, the brightness of his example.

The early period of our constitutional history is full of examples of patriotism, as ardent, of devotion to country as true and loyal, as any recorded in the annals of freedom;-of men who had no interest separate from the happiness of their country

who knew no principle of action but duty, who sought no honor or reward, but that which arises in the breast conscious of its rectitude. And we have as just a cause of pride, that such men were our ancestors, as that we derived from them so priceless an inheritance; for to those who were influential in defending, not less than to those who were the immediate framers of our constitution, is due, in part, the honor of originating a system of government, which has shed its influence and its light throughout the civilized world. In times when the violence of party strife convulses to its very centre the whole fabric of society, when tempting allurements are held out, to make compliances with the rise and overthrow of parties, and the rewards of victory, it is consoling to find a man of sufficient discernment to point out the right course, and of that integrity which is alike uncorrupted by the promises of reward, and unmoved by the threats and buffets of opposition. He who rebukes the inactivity and supineness of his political coadjutors, while he resists the measures of his adversaries, shows to the world that the contest in which he is engaged, is not a contest of party, or promotion, but an act of duty, a defense of principle.. But he who stakes his all upon the success of party, has only a claim to public fame, as perilous as it is frail. He cannot expect to rise but with the tide, and must not murmur if he sinks as it retires. And though compliance may make easy the acquisition of honors, it should not be forgotten, that honors gained without merit, are withheld without pity.

Examples of eminent talents, which have been faithfully exerted, and unvarying virtue which confirms their principles by an upright and consistent practice, should be held up to the public view, both as models of character, and an illustration of that lasting and deserved esteem which is the natural effect of a disinterested and well-intended endeavors. Real worth, though without that notoriety which is often mistaken for true honor, and denied those stations which it amply deserves, and would honorably maintain, cannot fail of finally securing that kind remembrance, that only homage which is worthy of regard, which will live when their names who have courted the applauses of the fickle and unreasoning multitude, shall have been forgotten, or remembered only with disgrace. Of that integrity and uprightness of character, of that sincere and honest devotion to duty aud truth, which is neither led, nor swayed, by the aspiring and ambitious, the career of Mr. Ames was a happy illustration. As such, though his life was not faultless, though to his political creed there must be admitted exceptions, he was in all respects a patriot and an honest man. To such men, who enlightened the public mind by the wisdom of their principles, and taught lessons of self-government by the consistency of their practice, we owe the tribute of everlasting gratitude.

As a public man, he believed he could render more important service to his country, by resisting ill-founded opinions, than by devising schemes of government; and was less ambitious to make himself notorious, than to check the progress of evil. He saw more accurately, as well as more remotely, than most men, the tendency of measures; and to a keen perception of danger, he united a resolute determination to avert the calamities which impending dangers threatened. He could not sleep while the cloud, black, and big with destruction, was gathering to break upon us; nor cease to watch with untiring vigilence, while steering over the angry billows of contention and discord; but calling aloud to his country, to rise and gird on their armor, for he heard the footsteps of the enemy approaching-while he himself, rushed fearlessly forward, with spear uplifted, to the rescue! In admiration of such loyal and disinterested zeal, we should forget the contemptible distinction of federalist, or democrat, and look upon him as a man, in the noblest and holiest exercise of his powers; and receive with gratitude the benefits which he conferred, rather than look with an eye of censure, at the peculiar means by which they were rendered.

Mr. Ames was a member of Congress during the administration of Washington; a station, which, at that period, called for all the abilities of the wisest and best men; the duties of which he discharged in a manner highly honorable to himself and his constituents, and equally advantageous to the interests of the country. To that age, so fertile in great intellect, his was an ornament and and an honor. He was equally respected for his talents, and beloved for his moral virtues. Among the eminent statesmen of that day, he had few equals; in the rectitude of his principles, and the purity of his virtues, he had no superiors. Violent as were party animosities, his name was never mentioned but with respect even by his political enemies, for they could not doubt the goodness of his heart, nor refrain from indulging in feelings of admiration, of the ability with which he defended his principles. The eloquence and force of his speech, softened the violence of opposition, and lent a charm and beauty to all his sentiments. He spoke, indeed, as a man should, with fearlessness and freedomsuffering neither defeat to damp his ardor, nor success to express itself in the display of triumph. Uniformly observing a singular and commendable prudence, he neither offended the prejudices, nor wounded the feelings of the opposition; yet exhibiting at all times, a resoluteness of principle, which corresponded with the importance of the object he endeavored to secure.

He lived at a time, when to be inactive was to be useless; and he felt deeply and powerfully, the force of the injunction,-" Do with thy might whatever thy hand findeth to do;" for "the night cometh when no man can work." He thought and feared

he saw a night approaching the declining day, which would be succeeded by no cheering rays of morning. Held in fearful suspense between apprehensions of the fatal effects of party strife to the government, and hopes of its ability to sustain its assaults, he resolved to labor while labor was not yet hopeless. While others were desponding, he toiled with an unwearied diligence, and difficulties only presented new motives to exertion.

And

He had strong feeling, yet a calm and discriminating judgment, without inconsiderateness or precipitancy. Duty reigned in his breast with the "steadiness of a law of nature." In the strange mixture of good and evil of human nature, when unworthy motives discolor and darken the virtues of good men, it is delightful to find an example alevated above the envy, the prejudice, the ambition which enter so largely into the composition of human action. Such an example we find in Mr. Ames. it is fortunate, that he held a conspicuous station, that his virtues might attract by their loveliness, and win by their own kind influence, the affection and esteem of mankind. It is delightful to meet a character so perfect in virtue, from another consideration. It relieves us from the necessity of indulging in such dark views of the mournful depravity of human nature. Mournful as it is, the dark shades of evil may be removed. It is a representative of that happy condition which would be our common lot, were human virtues what it might become.

It is unnecessary to speak of his works. They have been long before the world, and are the best commentary on his character. The impression which the perusal of them will produce, far exceeds all the feeble voice of praise can do. But to praise him, is not our object. Mere praise, from any source, could not brighten the luster of his fame. It is the influence of his character, his example, which is chiefly worthy of our admiration. He had no rivals; exalted virtue, refused place to envy, at the promotion of others. He was alone, like himself only, in the purity of his heart. Instead of repining, or relaxing in effort, when great men were elevated to stations of responsibility or honor, he rejoiced rather in the promises of good to his country. And what was his love of fame? Not a feverish, restless anxiety to do something which would force posterity to remember him; it was the desire, if the ardor of his love of duty and truth did not extinguish the desire, to be united to the company of the great and good of all ages.

Our country has indeed been fruitful in, and many will boast of her great men; but it is not every age which can claim a model in all respects so unexceptionable, and so worthy of imitation. Reason, and the force of moral principle, spoke audibly in his actions, and rendered more service to the progress of virtue, that the preachings of a thousand mercenary declaimers. When