as expensive as school taxes, and not at all commendatory of their training, and that their daughters are condemned to the ranks of the "would-be's" who are not appreciated by the world.

Now the remedy for these evils does not lie in the hands of any one teacher. However faithfully he may attend to that part of his duty which requires him to visit the negligent and disaffected of his district, yet he can hardly hope to effect a reformation without assistance from other quarters. This is to be sought in part, from public opinion, which must be brought to bear favorably upon the cause of common schools by means of Teachers' Institutes and Associations which it is for the interest of every teacher to countenance and support. For not only do parents learn, by attending these meetings, what duties are devolving upon them, but the very presence of a convention of teachers makes an impression on the minds of community which forces a recognition of the importance of popular education.

In the political world, party leaders understand very well how to arouse the public mind.

There, the caucus, the convention, and stirring speech are found to be indispensable agencies in keeping the subject before the people.

A similar display of energy on the part of teachers in a cause like ours, could but be productive of the most satisfactory results. One remedy for the evils of which we have spoken would appear.

Parents would better understand their position and coöperate more heartily with the teacher by making home influence contributory to the education of school. Go then, we would say to every teacher, as often as possible, to your Institutes and Conventions and show that you feel an interest in the cause beyond the mere exercises of your school-room.

Another point we would urge as likely to assist in remedying the difficulties we have mentioned, that is, let this Journal be placed in the hands of parents. Very many of the articles here published, if read by them, would be likely to produce a salutary effect.

At some future day we hope a portion of its columns may be devoted to them and thus, by making it a medium of communication between parents and teachers, we shall carry it into a wider field of usefulness.

We trust this suggestion will be considered and our teachers prepared to act should such a proposition ever be brought up for their sanction.

MAN AND HIS MISSION.

MAN, the image of his Maker, the noblest of God's handiwork, endowed with intellectual faculties and physical abilities, is lord of a mighty field for far-reaching thought and vigorous action-a field which has never been wholly surveyed by the world-renowned of ancient or modern times —a field which all enter, and alas! how few are not lost, while penetrating its labyrinth! Many are bewildered at the outset, while gazing upon the numerous paths which conduct to the unknown future, and impulsively selecting the one which, to their dazzled eyes, presents the most inviting appearance, they dash blindly on, discovering, when they think it too late to return, the folly of their choice. Then that poisonous lassitude creeps upon them, which ever takes possession of those who live in an uncongenial atmosphere, while their aimless movements and downcast countenances, speak, in language that can not be mistaken, those words, which the poet has well defined as the saddest of all sad words," It might have been." Others pause, and with calm calculation, marking well their course, unfurl their standard "Excelsior" and, nerved by its inspiring import, move firmly, manfully onward, steadily pursuing their way, and never faltering, until they have planted their banner on the citadel of Fame.

The taste of many persons is often so materially changed, by influences thrown around them, as to entirely disagree with their talent. For instance,-A young gentleman is associated with another who is giving his attention to the

study of law. Very naturally, their mutual friendship gives him a preference for the same vocation, and thus he decides his future profession, without taking into consideration the fact that he does not possess the essential qualifications, and is obliged to content himself with a mediocrity of success, while he suffers some faculty to lie dormant, which might have insured to him the highest excellence, and is henceforth the victim of a mistake.

It is maintained by many, that genius will force its way into notice, though placed under circumstances of the greatest discouragement, that it cannot be stifled. As well might one say that seeds, scattered upon barren soil, do not possess, in themselves, all those latent beauties which were called forth by the careful training bestowed upon those sown in our tasteful gardens. Who shall say that many a lad has not been forced to a life of servitude, whose name would have been the theme of every tongue, had not poverty, parental degradation, or the want of paternal sympathy blighted his youthful aspirations? Who can doubt that many a Washington has been cradled in the arms of infamy, that many a Newton has asked charity at our doors? Had not Xenophon accidentally met with Socrates, who shed upon him the light of his own great mind, his rare power, as a philosopher, might never have displayed itself.

I think we do not sufficiently honor our every-day heroes, and this is why many inferior minds, distrustful of their natural inclination, are biased by the whims of a capricious world, and, in their haste to become celebrated, employ honest means, if convenient, dishonest, if they think it necessary, to rush into a brilliant career. Such misguided persons, ultimately, look with envy upon nature's noblemen, who infuse their own superiority into an humbler cause and, smiled upon by approving Heaven, increase in strength and wisdom until they become the pillars of society.

There are heroes, whose brave deeds are the burden of every song, whose names have become household words, who have not the moral courage to say to the Tempter "Get thee behind me Satan." Is it strange, that so many fall by

the way-side in attempting to follow the footsteps of such men? Is it strange that, having carefully studied the vicious lives of those who have been presented to them as models of power, in seeking to imitate them, they are often turned aside from rectitude? Prejudice, in favor of some distinguished person, does not always permit us, while we emulate his excellence, to deprecate his vices, and, on the other hand, the odium which attaches itself to some of our most gifted, completely obscures their merit.

It may be asked, How then is it possible for one to become established in his true mission, since some are cramped by poverty or degradation at home, others are educated under influences entirely foreign to their nature, and all are more or less affected by the condition in which they live? In making the decision, we should be very careful not to fall into the common error of supposing, because we may bappen to be fitted in some one particular for a certain calling, that every other requisite consequently follows. Young persons are inclined to look over the whole catalogue of labor, as if they were competent for anything, and it only remained to decide what would reflect the most honor. Simply because one is favored with a fine voice, or is a ready writer, is no reason why he should enter the ministry. He has not a moral right to assume so much responsibility, unless he feels that he is equal to a very difficult, a very laborious task. One need not suppose that his being witty, or clear sighted, should recommend him to the bar; and so we might proceed with a multitude of cases. I will select one wishing to become a teacher, to illustrate my idea of the manner in which every one should catechise himself, before entering upon a life-long service. He inquires, Am I thoroughly educated? Have I the power of communicating my ideas in a clear, straight-forward manner to others? Am I constitutionally lively? Can I control my passions? Do I ever deviate from true politeness? Is firmness one of my qualities? Can I keep step with the grand march of improvement? In my determination to administer justice, shall I never lose sight of the angel of Mercy? When a person can answer

all these questions in the affirmative, he may safely commence his labors.

A mistaken idea, that the most honorable position is an easy one-almost a sinecure, induces many incompetent ones to assume places which do not rightfully belong to them; and a noble cause is often made to suffer at the hands of improper advocates.

The world abounds in unfortunate beings who are living without a well-defined plan, and, governed by the freaks of fancy, are staggering through life like vessels, drifting upon the billowy ocean without helm or compass. Conscious as

we are of this fact, should we not, in young life, submit ourselves to a thorough investigation, and, being satisfied what station we can fill, ought we not labor, with all those Godgiven attributes which have been bestowed upon us, to make ourselves worthy of the Master?

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Many are unwilling, when they find that they are in the wrong, to abandon it, lest they may appear to be possessed of a vacillating disposition. How often we hear it said, “If I had only turned my attention there, what an advantage it would have been to me"! I invariably feel like saying to such hopeless individuals, Why do you not correct your mistake now? It is better to live, even a short time, agreeably to one's taste, than to pass those years in repining." I have known persons of leisure to speak regretfully of their early disadvantages, who had nothing to prevent their devoting a large portion of their time to self culture.

If we find that to us is allotted but one talent, let us not become discouraged and hide it, but make it the germ of future usefulness, that, when our heads are silvered with the frosts of many winters, we can grow young again, while looking back upon the long vista of years through which we have passed, and enjoy the sunlight of pleasant memories. C. F. W.

NORWICH, Oct. 26th, 1861.