While we master, no man nor woman; we are one and one. write to one another and not to the world, we treat all vain regards at our leisure; wherefore should we dissemble? It is not worth while to dip the quill; for then we are only allowed to read. — Read! said the whole company, and treat in detail upon that, which this one here, and that one there, has read; all were thereupon. agreed, that it was a medicine of the soul, when it would be drawn. back within itself from discursive, multifarious reading, to acknowledge an honest account of what it had heard, read or seen, as under a solemn vow, or before a Holy Court. This account we will give to one another, said I, agreeing; and thus a Bond of Humanity was concluded, perhaps a truer, at least a more unpresuming and quiet one never was concluded. Begin now, my friend; our friends are, as you know, scattered about here and there; all are ready, they await your corresponding feeling.1) 2. The life of Benjamin Franklin, one of my favorites in our century, written by himself for his son, has at last come to my hands; but you deplore it, only in the French translation, and only a small piece of the same, the earlier years of his life, before he had fully entered upon his political career.2) Should the policy of the English be powerful enough to suppress the remainder and the whole in the primitive language: you will deplore with me the sinking spirit of the nation, and in the mean time we will allow this book to circulate freely among ourselves. You know what I always maintained about Franklin, how highly I have esteemed his sound understanding, his pure and beautiful spirit, his Socratic method, but especially the Sense of Humanity which distinguished even his most trifling essays. By what simple and clear ideas he knows how to reduce the most intricate materials! And how devoted he is in all places to the plain, eternal laws of nature, to the most infallible practical rules, to the wants and interests of mankind! One often thinks while reading him 'Did I not know that also? but I saw it not so clearly, and was not aware that I had such every-day maxims of life.' His 1) The names of the corresponding friends are not attached to the papers; for what could the letters of their names signify, which the papers themselves do not declare. Editor's note 2) They are now also translated in German: B. Franklin's Early Years, translated by Burger. Berlin 1792. raiments are so light and natural, his wit and jests so pleasing and fine, his disposition-of-mind so unbiassed and joyous, that I might call him (den edelsten Volksschriftsteller,) the noblest publicist of our century, were it not that I believed he might be dishonored by this abused name. Among ourselves he will not be thereby dishonored! Would to God, we had throughout all Europe a people that read him, that recognised his principles, and that acted and lived according to his own best; where then would we be! Franklin's principles are lavished everywhere, to establish sound reason, deliberation, calculation, common moderation and alternate regulation in the smallest and greatest affairs of men, to banish from among them the spirit of intolerance, severity, indolence, to draw their attention to their business, to make them work in a mildly progressive unstrained manner, earnestly, cautiously, actively, while he discloses how each one of these exercises remunerates itself, how every neglect of the same in itself inflicts a punishment upon the greatest and smallest. He interests himself in behalf of the poor, but not otherwise than with surpassing reason to open for them the way of industry. Moreover he has shown how clearly and precisely he saw into the future, how disentangled the most intricate affairs of passion laid in simple results before his eyes. To hear such a man speaking of himself, to hear him, on the verge of life, relating to his son, who he is? and how he became what he is?-who would not thereby be charmingly instructed? Listen now to the good old man, and you find in his biography a counterpart to Rousseau's confessions. Phantasy almost always led Rousseau astray, but Franklin's good understanding, his unwearied industry, his courteous disposition, his inventive activity, I might say, his infinite shrewdness and quiet courage never abandoned him. Go with him in this light from the shop of the candle-maker to the cutler's workshop, in the printing office, from Boston to New-York, to Philadelphia, London and further, and observe, how he is every where at home, knows how he is, wins friends, above all looks into the great public, and in every situation manifests a strong progressive spirit. The circle of his acquaintances and associates, which he thereby established, which one spoiled here, and there another destroyed; which he often foresaw and turned to the best account, is of the most instructive order. For young people I know scarcely a modern book that could be for them so completely as this, a school of industry, of wisdom and discretion. And how easily it is thought out! Happy is the man who can look back on his life, like Franklin, whose exertions fortune has so gloriously crowned. Franklin is my hero, not as the inventor of the theory of electrical matter, and of the harmonica, (though one and the same spirit works also in these renowned inventions), but as he applied himself to all things which pertained to use and truth, and as an actively working spirit on the easiest system, let him, the teacher of mankind, a great director of the human species, be our model. Let him be this for us even beyond that which to him was the utmost profitable modern condition of times and countries: for Franklin's spirit was everywhere aright, even on the spot where we live. With this aim in view, you will observe in his life particularly, how he devoted himself, in spite of his poverty and business of a mechanic, to literary education, formed his style, and for that object applied himself to every means, even the printing-office; how in this he found out the most popular way, newspapers, almanacs, single pamphlets, the commonest and most interesting raiments to scatter his ideas around among the people, and to inform himself through the voice of the nation; how at last he disciplined himself, while mingling with his associates from early years on, though not so learned, as liberally educated associations desired. On this account also I wish Franklin's Youth to be in the hands of every youth of noble nature. He who is not rich, yet will not abandon himself, will find that he will never be abandoned by mankind, the great and manifold organ of God; he will be attracted to that which the noble youth Persius recognized as the object of all human wisdom. Quid sumus; et quidnam victuri gignimur; ordo I will send you soon Franklin's plan for one of his earlier Associations, allow our friends to note what use it may be to us: for the Philadelphia,' on whose account this association was instituted, may be established any where. FINE ARTS. BY THE JUNIOR EDITOR. Architecture, Sculpture, Painture and Literature are all useful as well as ornamental in the establishment of civilization. Public policy therefore demands a tribute of devotion, to be paid to the Fine Arts. We We have not space at present to argue the benefit they afford us, or to display our friendship for them. Still, we hope, soon hereafter, to perform our duty amply in both respects, and to stimulate the activity of the public to go and do likewise. are happy however, in embracing this opportunity to attract attention to the Church of the Messiah, on the corner of 9th and Olive Streets. It is not only an honor to St. Louis, but an honor to Him whose name it bears; and proves that the worshippers at its shrine are not only a liberal minded, but also a noble hearted people. The work of Messrs. Schaerff & Bro., which adorns our present Number, speaks for itself, as many say with surprise, that a lithograph from their hands rivals a copper-plate. We are likewise moved with admiration at the sight of two portraits, in the studio of Mr. Heade, on the corner of 4th and Chesnut Streets. Both display a graceful combination of nature and art, though brilliant in contrast of character, the one representing a man of business, the other a lady of sensibility. Her portrait is only too much like a woman to be angelic, but his is like life itself. Mr. Jamison and Mrs. Farren are acting with power and grace on the boards at Bates', in the high walks of spirit-stirring tragedy. Miss Julia Dean, of beautiful form and brilliant genius, is creating a sensation in the breast of her admirers here, while she is on her way to our city, and will doubtless, as heretofore, be greeted by crowded houses of the most refined and enthusiastic devotees of classic drama. Among the literary periodicals from abroad, we find the 'Columbian' newspaper, rich, racy and original; devoted to Western literature, genius and prosperity: and Hunts Merchants' Magazine, a vigilant watchman of information that points to practice. wisdom and discretion. And how easily it is thought out! Happy is the man who can look back on his life, like Franklin, whose exertions fortune has so gloriously crowned. Franklin is my hero, not as the inventor of the theory of electrical matter, and of the harmonica, (though one and the same spirit works also in these renowned inventions), but as he applied himself to all things which pertained to use and truth, and as an actively working spirit on the easiest system, let him, the teacher of mankind, a great director of the human species, be our model. Let him be this for us even beyond that which to him was the utmost profitable modern condition of times and countries: for Franklin's spirit was everywhere aright, even on the spot where we live. With this aim in view, you will observe in his life particularly, how he devoted himself, in spite of his poverty and business of a mechanic, to literary education, formed his style, and for that object applied himself to every means, even the printing-office; how in this he found out the most popular way, newspapers, almanacs, single pamphlets, the commonest and most interesting raiments to scatter his ideas around among the people, and to inform himself through the voice of the nation; how at last he disciplined himself, while mingling with his associates from early years on, though not so learned, as liberally educated associations desired. On this account also I wish Franklin's Youth to be in the hands of every youth of noble nature. He who is not rich, yet will not abandon himself, will find that he will never be abandoned by mankind, the great and manifold organ of God; he will be attracted to that which the noble youth Persius recognized as the object of all human wisdom. Quid sumus; et quidnam victuri gignimur; ordo I will send you soon Franklin's plan for one of his earlier Associations, allow our friends to note what use it may be to us: for the Philadelphia,' on whose account this association was instituted, may be established any where. |