the bowels of the earth and beneath the depths of the ocean, no less gratifying is it to be able to see understandingly the things which are visible upon the surface. Take any thing in nature-let it be viewed by the eye of the uninformed-bring it then under the illumination of knowledge, and behold the change. We have a park within a few minutes' walk of the spot where we are now assembled. The uninformed will walk from one extremity to the other, and round and round again, in an hour. He has seen and admired the lakes, the swans, the trees, the shrubs, and the flowers-he has seen all and admired all-he feels no desire to linger any longer there, for, were he to walk around it a thousand times, he could see no more than he has seen. But how is it with the enlightened. He cannot see it all in an hour, nor a day, nor a month, nor a year! He has seen more in one single stalk than the other saw through the whole range of the gardens. He knows it to possess a structure almost as wonderful as man's own, and to possess a degree of sensibility which almost convinces him that it is susceptible of the emotions of pleasure and of pain.

Editor.

EFFECTS OF STEAM.

How astonishing are the effects produced by the instrumentality of steam-it is not necessary to enumerate them? You all know how it has extended man's dominion over nature-how it has multiplied the products of his skill-lightened human labour-placed within the reach of the

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poorest, luxuries which princes could hardly afford to enjoy and, lastly, is it not now being the means by which the extremities of the earth are brought into ready communication and close alliance with each other? Will it not eventually be the means of accelerating the enlightenment of the darkest portions of the globe ?—of making the whole sphere one country, and uniting all the inhabitants thereof, by bestowing the facilities for a better mutual understanding ?-and uniting all people together by the strongest of all bonds -the bonds of reciprocal interests? Hitherto, through long ages, men have lived as if their chief object in living had been the mutual destruction of life, and mountains and seas-nay even little fordable streams-have been the boundaries which divide nations, the inhabitants of which look upon each other as their natural foes. But, surely, such delusions as these are being gradually swept away-the spread of knowledge, which this same steam is so rapidly hastening, will teach nations their dependence upon each other-will teach them wherein their real interest consists-will expose the heinousness of the crime, as well as the pitiable folly of war, and unite men together in such sweet amity and peace as have been hitherto unknown.

Editor.

A DUTY TO INSTRUCT THE Poor.

I AM aware that it is maintained by some that men ought only to be instructed in that which relates to the occupation they are destined to perform through life; but I maintain that, how

ever important specific knowledge may be, that general information is also extremely useful, and, in the intercourse of life, is greatly necessary. However, the being a stonemason, a shoemaker, a mechanic, or a farmer, may form the means of obtaining a livelihood, and give a tinge to the character of the man, yet there is, beyond the mere machine, the intellectual man and his wants to be considered. The reasoning powers, if wholly confined to technical subjects, will become cramped, perhaps distorted-all the faculties should have full, free, fair play. They must have, if existence is to be pleasurable. A walk in the country is far more interesting, with even a slight knowledge of natural history. The flower, otherwise passed unheeded, becomes a prize, when we are enabled to discern its qualities, its beauties, and its security. The book of nature is a large volume, and happy are they who can read it most correctly. Who can have felt that happiness-who can have imbibed the blissful influence which flows from the stream of knowledge, and not long to make his fellow man acquainted with his bliss-a partaker of his enjoyment? It is from this amicable, this truly philanthropic motive of placing the means of obtaining these blessings within the reach of all, that Mechanics' Institutions are founded and supported. Why are those who have to perform the laborious occupations of life gifted with the same faculties as those who occupy the loftiest positions, if they have not an equal right to cultivate and exercise them? Why should not those who have to earn their daily bread by the sweat of their brows— whose backs are coarsely clothed, and whose

homes are the abodes of poverty-possess those treasures of the mind which are to be acquired by the inspiring aid of books, which will enable them to forget, for a season, the differences in the lot of man, and to disengage their thoughts from the miserable occupation of preying upon petty cares, troubles, and anxieties? How many are the gratifying instances which could be enumerated of those amongst the very poorest classes of society-whose opportunities have been as few as any man can complain of, and whose necessities have been piteously craving-who have sought and found happiness, by soaring above their sphere who have aspired to possess information beyond that acquired by the ordinarily educated rich-who have so honourably distinguished themselves as to have their society courted in circles of affluence-who have transmitted to their posterity an imperishable name, and whose glorious example has awakened in others that vital spark of heavenly flame, which continues to burn brighter and brighter, gradually refining itself, and even the mould by which it is confined -which soars higher and higher, above the trammellings of this world, until it reaches its native home, the bosom of its God?

Editor.

ADDRESS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE MENTAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY, LIVERPOOL

MECHANICS' INSTITUTION.

It is well for us all that there are seasons in our lives-birth-days and new year's days-when we are startled from the lethargy of habit, and

forced for a time, to think. At such stages in our life-pilgrimage, we naturally pause to measure the distance we have travelled, and to estimate the length and the direction of the journey that still lies before us. Whence, and whither, and why, and how, are questions that spring up, more or less consciously, in every mind; questions easier to ask than to answer; questions which, like Simonides, we ever demand longer and longer time to consider, and which, if they are not, by delay, made more difficult of solution, are surely by delay settled for us-more probably for evil than for good. To us, collectively, as well as individually, such questions are deeply important; their application is here limited by the nature of our present meeting; let us, then, ask ourselves for what purpose we have gathered ourselves together in this association. To this question each of you must, and doubtless will, give his own reply. It is, one may answer, that we may gain the faculty to speak our thoughts with freedom, and grace, and power. A worthy end truly-an end well purchased with much labour. thought, to be clearly and strongly uttered, must be clearly and strongly conceived; thought must precede speech; and without knowledge of men, and things, and manners, and books, which are the records of other men's thoughts, and the seed and stimulus of our own, individual thought can achieve but little. It is, then, another may answer, that we may gather knowledge, and grow into the power of thought-thought original, if not new-thought secreted, so to speak, from our mental nutriment, and so truly our own. If so, we may further ask, for what end are this know

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