2. By its agency, all the powers of the mind become active, and that activity renders them useful. Perseverance, though perhaps a less brilliant attribute of the mind, in point of real excellence, stands unrivalled. 3. Other faculties may plan, but this must execute. Others may lay out the work, but this must perform. Others may mark the spot for the foundation, but this must build the edifice. 4. Perseverance is to the mind, what .the mainspring is to a watch, the bellows to an organ, or vitality to matter. It is the great moving power; and there never was, and there never will be, any great or important work fully carried out and completed, but by the aid of this impelling power. 5. It is the most powerful agent of the mind; and where it operates in full vigor, it will accomplish much, though the other faculties be comparatively weak. 6. Genius is of no importance, unless its powers are brought out by this agency. It is a mere meteor, flashing for a moment, and then lost forever. But perseverance enables the most humble mind in point of intellectual powers, to rise and pluck a branch from the laurel, and inscribe its name high on the temple of fame. 7. A good education is invariably the result of perseverance. No man was ever educated in a day, a month, or a year; far from it. A lifetime is too. short for a full development of all the faculties of the mind, and our education can only be finished in eternity. 8. As well might the bee hope to gain her winter's store by one flight through a garden; as well might the architect hope to rear a splendid mansion by one stroke of the hammer, as for a man to gain an education in a year. E 9. Therefore, young man, persevere — "Ay, press on, press on, and you will find The path is plain, the way is clear; THE CROW A CRITIC. 1. In ancient times, tradition says, When birds, like men, would strive for praise, 2. A knavish crow, it seems, had got Some say he learned them from an owl, 3. 'Tis strange to tell, this subtle creature, 4. Then, puffed with insolence and pride, 5. Once, when the birds assembled sat, From croaking, when they think of rain. 6. His wonted song he sung: harsher note 7. Quoth he, "The solo which ye heard, My voice, that's somewhat rough and strong, 8. He reasoned thus; but, to his trouble, A DAY AMONG THE ALPS. 1. A DENSE fog still lingered around the sides 01 the mountain, and spread a dark pall over the valley of Chamouni. Our host augured a fair day, and our expectant guide was sure of it. 2. Our route lay across the Arvé and the narrow plain, up a zigzag path to Montanvert, and thence across the glacier. We could trace the narrow track some distance up the mountain, till all was enveloped in the clouds-the end of all hope to some of the party. 3. A few hesitated about the weather, unable to perceive the clear blue sky in the regions to which we were going; some, in order to calculate the profit and loss of the outlay of physical force, counted the cost by the steps they would have to take; and others waited for mules, while I started alone. 4. It is not well to be backward in a good cause, in much work, or in a long race. One becomes discouraged by doubt and delay, and does not perform well. A good start, whether for a day or a life, is of vast importance. An hour saved in the morning, lasts all day. 5. Most young people do not enough consider the responsibilities of early life, in reference to the duties and privileges of manhood, and the honor and happiness of old age. 6. Soon we entered a forest of Alpine trees, and commenced the steep ascent. We turned here, and we turned there; up, up, up. Toiling, tugging, sweating; up, up, up. Halting, starting, hopping; up, up, up. 7. Anon we entered the region of clouds; up, up, up. All was dark, drizzly, dubious; but up, up, up. Disheartened or lazy, one turned back. Whether he fell, and dashed his brains out, is more than I know. I never heard of him afterwards. Lazy people and cowards are not sought for. 8. With him, it was down, down, down. Doubting, panting, desponding, down he went; jump, jump, jump; while we, joking, bragging, shouting, continued up, up, up. 9. An hour or so brought us near the Fountain of Claudine, half way up the first division of our day's labor. I thought of life, of life in youth a day and a journey. 10. A little space shines about us in childhood, dimmed by no cares. We see, and enjoy, and are amused. Towards the noon of life, we look up, and become anxious. How dark, and drear, and dubious, and difficult! 11. What impregnable barriers tower before us, nedge up our path, cut short our vision, and forbid our progress, let us turn which way we will. But the spirit in us, ever restless, ever demanding, and ever peremptory, urges us forward, and urges upward. 12. We cannot tarry. We must go forward. But whither? How? For what? Without faith, who would start? Enveloped in clouds and darkness, though young and vigorous, without hope, who would not turn back, or faint, or fall by the way? 13. Confidence, my young friends, confidence. We must penetrate farther into these cloudy, damp, chilly regions, and surmount these rugged barriers. There must be sunlight above. 14. Courage, my lads, courage. Be of stout heart. Hold on a while longer; hold on. Victory without a struggle wins no laurels. Be patient and persevere. There is no storm but has an end. Columbus found a new world to reward his perseverance. Your world is before you. THE SAME. 1. As we left the rude tain, and passed up the began to grow lighter. CONTINUED. buildings about the foundangerous precipices, it Objects above us grew |