"Romantic !—melancholy, rather. I'm sure I shan't forget it very soon." We were soon on the road homeward. I was in fine spirits; but Ellen seemed terribly disconsolate, and for the first mile or two, hardly uttered a syllable. So, after a while, I too became silent. My thoughts were busy enough, though they had but one object. "There can be no doubt," I said to myself, "that I am in love, desperately in love, with my own cousin. I wonder if she loves me. Now here's an excellent opportunity to-toI'll just look round and see if I can guess what she is thinking of. She is watching the changing aspect of those distant clouds. No-I can't do it at least just yet-time enough-besides I'm afraid she might say me, nay, and then what would life be worth? But I must do up the affair soon, or it will be too late. There are only two weeks more, and then I must go back to Col—. Confound the College. By the way, an idea strikes me-I've a great notion to let me see- -yes! I will do it." "Do what?" said my cousin, for unconsciously I had spoken the last words aloud. "Oh, Ellen! I've thought of the nicest plan, and I know you will like it." "What in the world is coming now?" "You know I am a member of Yale College?" "Why, yes-what a silly question!" "You know the students there publish a Magazine?" "Yes." Bring me in?" "Certainly, and myself too. I mean to tell all about our ride, and the story of the Haunted House." "Ha! ha! ha!" and the saucy girl laughed in my face outright. I colored-in spite of myself, I frowned-for you remember, reader, what I said before, that a young man on horseback is the proudest of created beings. "You are not angry, Frank," said she. I made no answer. She just touched her horse with the whip, and in an instant was close to my side. I felt her soft hand upon my shoulder, and I did not dare to look round, for I knew what to expect. But I did-and there was the dear smiling face-half sly, half upbraiding. "Why Frank!" she said. My vexation oozed away as rapidly as did Bob Acre's valor. "Ellen," I exclaimed, "you are an angel, and I—I love you!" At last we reached home. Every body wondered what could have detained us so long. I looked at Ellen-she blushed, and then she laughed. Gentle reader, it hath been said truly by one who knew full well, that In vain with endearments we soothe the sad heart, Still do I hope much, very much, from that "One Day in Vacation." MELANCHOLY. My soul has lost its wonted key, The rose, the myrtle, and the vine, Bright dazzling flowers, no more delight; Yes, for I love this pensive feeling, Even sadness brings a fill of bliss, Of golden joys, unknown before. 46 REVIEW. Bushnell's Oration, pronounced before the Society of Phi Beta Kappa, on the Principles of National Greatness. New Haven: Herrick & Noyes. 1837. PERHAPS the fancy, of all the powers of the mind, has been most influential in revealing new truths to the world, in the arts and sciences. In its quick, vivid conceptions, it frequently attains heights, from which whole realms are opened to the view, while reason has been left to toil sluggishly upward, through paths overrun with briars, and obscured by fogs. Experience clearly evinces, that the imagination has commonly struck upon those useful and lofty discoveries in philosophy-mental, moral, or political-the full relations and bearings of which, have remained for the investigation and sanction of subsequent ages. The celebrated Kepler, with all the enthusiasm of glowing fancy, was ever laying down new hypotheses to be established, and new conclusions to be proved, by a laborious train of observation and inference-and thus, most of the great triumphs in astronomy, which have shed a peculiar lustre about his name, were the fond offspring of his waking dreams. The same, or similar has been the case with all the distinguished of natural philosophers, and the truth is scarcely less obvious when we turn to the moral and political. The splendid creations, the rich thoughts, and sublime truths, which glitter like priceless gems upon each page of Milton's productions, have never yet, and will perhaps never hereafter be fully appreciated, until the human mind shall have become vastly more refined and enlightened, than in its present condition. So far, in both of these branches, the creative genius has been left to delight itself with its own conceptions, unreviled and unpersecuted, except perhaps in the well-known case of the renowned Italian, Galileo. Men have been contented merely to denounce their theories as wild and extravagant, so long as they did not interfere with their private affections or interests. With all their ignorance, they have been forced to revere the philosopher, as possessed of higher qualities of mind, and as turning his attention to higher pursuits; in short, as smitten with a respectable madNot so with the politician. He has to deal directly with the dearest interests of men; his profession is linked with all the stormy elements of society; with the deepest and darkest passions of the human breast, and, of consequence, his actions are subject to the closest scrutiny, and his character exposed to the ness. open taunts of the bigoted, and the midnight dagger of malevolence. Yet his is the noblest pursuit of all, when untrameled by the fetters of self-interest, and daring the frowns of a nation, he presses calmly forward in the cause he deems is correct, utters thoughts and principles, dictated by a pure heart, and trusts his reputation, if sullied in the present, to the justice and equity of future generations. The province over which he wields the sceptre of his influence, is, beyond all comparison, full of subjects for the profoundest thought and the liveliest interest. The general principles which regulate human emotions, far more complicated, but almost as sure as those which obtain in the natural world, the thousand influences that ennoble or debase society, the guards to be taken against the effects of intoxicating prosperity, the new improvements and refinements in legislation which the character of the age will admit of-are all of them topics to exercise the judgment, and kindle the heart of the patriot statesman. Yet how few have there been to burst through the limits of present and partial interests, and to maintain a policy which, original with themselves, if they fail to support, will crush them in its fall! How few have there been, who have not shrunk from the epithet visionary! Human nature has, in most cases, been far too weak. Men have been too fond of themselves, to sacrifice their hopes in the support of a principle. Jefferson was doubtless an exception to this; but his theater was among a people who had recently procured their freedom; in the young days of the republic, when there were no hoary-headed institutions to obstruct his path. None of those hereditary maxims and prejudices, which are handed down from generation to generation among a people of ancient origin, had as yet been able to root themselves firmly, in the minds and affections of the liberal party in America. Yet, even he had his violent and bitter opponents while living, and after his ashes have long been resting in honored repose, we find that the old cry has again been started. But could that eminent statesman arise once more into being, how would his heart burn within him, to behold those darling principles for which he contended, spreading an influence over the land and the world, of which even he, enthusiast though he was, could scarcely have formed an adequate conception! "His administration," in the words of Mr. Clay, "will be looked back to as an oasis in a dreary waste," for in it gushed forth a thousand fountains of democratic influence, which have gradually washed away, or, uniting the streams into giant torrents, have torn, thundering down, the hallowed impositions of despotic power. How far his principles, fraught with the purest philanthropy, are yet to advance, it remains for the progress of time to disclose. To us their career would seem to be onward, and onward for Yet the profoundest admirers of Jefferson will not pretend ever. to assert, that his views were not frequently tinged with a visionary hue. It was a lovely hue, however, a rainbow-promise of future perfection, which had its origin in a firm and unshaken confidence in the truth and elevation of the sentiments he advocated a courageous belief in general principles. It may have been extravagance, but it is an extravagance we love to contemplate. His visions of human perfection, of the full capability of man to govern himself, though ages may never behold their reality, yet who will venture to say they cannot be? He may have been a political alchemist, but in his endeavors to bring into being the brilliant fictions of his own brain, he has discovered truths and established theories, as rich and creative as the mind which gave them birth. Such were some of the reflections which arose before us, in perusing the masterly production of the orator of the Phi Beta Kappa, for the year 1837, which we have read for the third and fourth times with a still increasing delight. Without pretending to assert, that Mr. Bushnell has proposed a system of policy which will meet with the world's approbation, all must confess that his oration is filled with original, noble, and to a great extent, just and rational thought-thought which, could it be infused into the breasts of our statesmen, would wonderfully expand and exalt their views, and thought, which the patriot, the philanthropist and the scholar, cannot but cherish and adopt. To enter into a full examination of his theory, would require far more space than can be allowed. Indeed, he professes himself to have touched but slightly upon its most striking features. We propose to follow him briefly upon these. "Wherein," he inquires, "consists the true wealth, or well-being of a state. It consists, I answer, in the total value of the persons of the people. National wealth is personal, not material. It includes the natural capacity, the industry, the skill, the science, the bravery, the loyalty, the moral and religious worth of the people. The wealth of a nation is in the breasts of its sons. This is the object which, accordingly as it is advanced, is sure to bring with it riches, justice, liberty, strength, stability, invincibility, and every other good; or which, being neglected, every sort of success and prosperity is but accidental and deceitful." p. 8. Noble thoughts these, and worthy of universal reception. With a just indignation, he cries out against that crazy desire for wealth, which forms the most prominent feature of our age and nation. And what must we think of a system of policy which inflames that desire? All human action would seem to tend to a definite object-the securing of happiness and every system of legislation should constantly have some end in view, and in the nature of that end, must consist its strength or its weakness, its wisdom. or folly. What then is the ultimate design of laws which are enacted to encourage men in amassing money? They prevent injustice and fraud, it is true, throughout the community, they : |