that habits of inaccuracy, in many cases, fully counterbalance any benefits accruing from derivation.

on this plan will ever use those absurd, but not unfrequent expressions, reading through Latin, finishing Latin." Their vanity will always be checked by the reflection, that they have a boundless field before them, of which they can cultivate a part, proportioned to their capacity, leisure, and inclinations.

come very weary of doing what is tedious, if not difficult, without apparently advancing one step in the career of knowledge. But the other sysFourthly, a teacher can, in this way, best se- tem is eminently progressive, and all young men cure the attention of his pupils. All experienced of capacity and ambition, will be reconciled to teachers know that their greatest practical diffi- the labor which it involves, by a consciousness culty is inability to command the undivided at of advancement, which may be continued ad intention of their scholars. While one is reading finitum. None who have been properly trained a passage from a classical author, the minds of the others will often be completely listless and wandering. No severity of discipline can entirely prevent this; there is need of some mode, by which a sort of animation may be imparted to the recitation, and each one be required to take a part in what is going on, at short intervals. We do not assert that nothing can be done Sixthly, it not only renders the student contowards this object on other plans; but we know, scious of progress, but it compels the teacher to from experience, that much can be easily effected make progress. We have heard it absurdly urged on this. Let a large black board, one of the against instructors, that they are in the habit of greatest inventions of modern times, and equally preparing their lessons beforehand. When it adapted to teaching language as science, be used; proceeds from absolute ignorance, or from never let each member of the class be required, at the having learned the general principles of the subsame time, to convert an English sentence. given ject properly, it is a well-founded objection. But orally by the teacher, into Latin on the black-when it is intended to refresh and extend their board, and, when all have finished, let those sen- knowledge before ample, and to fit them better tences be corrected by the teacher in the presence of the whole class. Or, if the black-board be too small to admit the whole class at once, let those who remain at their seats, correct the sentences written by the others. Let an oral examination be added, so conducted, by constantly passing from one to another, as effectually to preclude inattention. This will give a liveliness and animation, utterly unknown to any recitation on the ordinary system.

for communicating an active impulse to the minds of their pupils, it is a positive recommendation. None is so well prepared to impart information, as one ardently and actively engaged in enlarging his own stock. If, having learned all that he thinks it practicable or desirable to give his pupils, he lays aside the subject, his mind ceases to act in regard to it, and he cannot of course impart to others an interest which he does not feel himself. It would be just as reasonable to expect a stagnant pool to set machinery in motion.

Fifthly, the plan we advocate makes a student conscious of progress. None who have had Now, if an instructor combine with the exeropportunities of observation, can fail to have cises actually set down in the book, others couremarked, that boys, or young men, who have sisting in the reconversion of translations from for years been pursuing the ancient languages on the classics into Latin, and then carefully comthe old system, no matter how rigidly enforced, pare the Latin of his pupils with that of the origiseem to feel, as if agentes acta, going perpetu-nal, he may find sufficient occupation for a lifeally over the same things, and, in fact, not ad- time. He must also aid the pupil in combining vaucing in their knowledge of the principles of the scattered fragments of information which he the languages. As stated in the passage, quoted finds in the book into one whole, by judicious from Manesca, reading and analyzing a few pages questions, adapted to point out the connexion of any standard author will give them a know-between the isolated parts. This is a duty little ledge, such as can be thus attained, of all the attended to, but rendered indispensable by the leading principles. By reading more, they become necessary deficiency of all text-books. If these more familiar with them, and acquire greater flu- ideas be carried out, teachers will be required eucy in translation, but soon begin to imagine who will give themselves to the work, not relucand indeed to realize, that they are learning noth-tantly and temporarily, but heartily and permaing additional, in regard to principles and idioms. nently. At the same time, every instructor of This want of progress, to some extent unavoid-real intelligence, and proper sense of duty, will able, is increased by the too common practice of feel happier, when actively occupied, and seeing ceasing to make a student parse, after his prelim- his pupils always sensibly progressing, than he inary drilling. As comparatively few are interest-possibly can do in the wearisome tread-mill of ed in the narratives, discussions, or beauties of the the ordinary drilling. classical writers, the larger portion naturally be

But it may be asked, if all this time be given

the fact, that as a general thing, it cannot be BY W. GILMORE SIMMS, AUTHOR OF “THE YEMASSEE,” &c.

Will be in a moment!
You'll go with us.

Excuse me.

Matthews, [to Osborne.]

Osborne.

Warren, [aside to Osborne.] And why not?

Twill save a monstrous trouble in our wigwam,
For, to say truth, this man is popular,
Grows every day in strength in the assembly,

Osborne, [aside to W.] Sufficient, as they tell us, for And I confess to you I have my fears,

the day,

Its evil; when I can no longer 'scape it,

I'll mix in this conspiracy;-till then,
Let me go idle.

Touching the play before us. Our new members,
Are not what I would have them; and old Mercer,
Catesby and Brooks, gain daily influence,
Under the cunning counsel of this Maurice.

Warren, [aside to Osborne.] Hark you, Richard Os- If we can crush this fellow, who has talents,

borne,

No faltering when the moment comes to speak;

The rod that does not yield to me, I break!

[Exit Matthews and Warren. Osborne. And no escape! I dare not run on ruin,

And shows more stubbornness than I could relish,
'Twere better done before we lose our headway,
This man disposed of, they can find no other
To take the field with Ferguson.
Matthews.

Speak, Warren!

Warren. There is a secret, gentlemen; a dark one; Glides with the midnight to the sleepless pillow;

Which told, were fatal to this Norman Maurice;

I will not tell it now; but wait the moment,
When, over all, conspicuous most, he stands,
With triumph in his prospect, and his spirit,
Exulting in the state he deems secure!

Then will I come between his hope and prospect,
Then show the guilty secret that degrades him,
Confound him with the proofs which now are ready,
And hurl him down to ruin, the more fatal,
For that I suffer'd him to rise so high.

And, with the laurel wreath that crowns the triumph,
Sows thick the thorns that make the brow to ache!
Did the emolument not imply the service;
Were we not each enjoin'd with a commission;
The task decreed, the struggle thrust upon us;
Making it manhood to comply with duty;
How better far the treasure in our keeping,
Love at our bosom-peace upon our threshold,-
When bliss can never hope increase of rapture,
And fear begins to dream of unknown danger,-

Blasinghame. But why not now? The man is high To fly the world-the conflict,-nay, the triumph!

enough!

And bearing off the trophy we have won,

Warren. The secret's mine, sir. When I'm done Hush the ambitious spirit in our hearts

with it,

Matthews. His honor would be rescued by his death?
Warren. Scarcely; since 'tis for me to keep the secret,
Or free it if I please! But let me tell you,
That Maurice will not shrink from any combat:

I know him well. He is mine enemy,

But let me do him justice. He will fight,

Though all the devils of hell stood up against him.
Look to it, sir, [to Blasing.,] your reputation's great,
But Maurice is no common opponent;
And you will need your utmost excellence,

To conquer him when once he takes the field!

That whispers, "Life has more!" Have I won nothing,
That I should toil, as unrequited labor

Still hoping yet to win? Am I a beggar,

Who perilling nothing in each fearful venture,

Stakes all his hopes on change? With goods so precious,
Should I still venture in the common market,

Where malice stands, with gibe of cruel slander,
And envy lurks in readiness to steal,
When still the shelter of the wilderness,
The depth of shadow, the great solitudes,
Beckon the heart with promise of their own,
Still singing, "here is refuge!"

Wretched folly!

As if the serpent could not find the garden;
As if the malicious hate, by hell engendered,
Had not an equal instinct how to fathom
The secret haunt where rapture hopes to hide!
Hate bears a will as resolute as love,

A wing as swift, an eye as vigilant,

An instinct that, as still they keep it sleepless,
Prompt the keen search, when rapture stops for rest!
A sad presentiment of coming evil

Stifles each generous impulse at my heart,

Blasinghame. Well, that's good news! My lamb is That ever spoke in confidence. This Warren,

with him now;

Will hear from him by noon.

Ferguson.

Before we part,—

'Tis understood we put our troops in motion;
The strife will be a close one! Blasinghame,
Has truly spoken of this new assembly;-

It puzzles me to fathom it. This Maurice,
Is, questionless, a man of wondrous power;

And, though I much prefer that we should beat him
In a fair wrestle, with the usual agents;
Yet this is not so certainly our prospect,
As that we should forego this fatal secret,
That makes our game secure.

Warren.

You shall have it.

Is here for mischief; with what hope to prosper-
That single proof destroy'd-I now divine not.
This woman, coming close upon his footsteps,
Confirms my apprehensions. They are allies-
She false as he, but feeble-his mere creature-
To beat the bush, while he secures the game!
Well! I must watch them with a vigilance,
Due to the precious treasure in my trust,
And swift as justice in avenging mission,
With the first show of evil in their purpose,
Crush them to earth, and—Well?

Blasinghame. We meet to-night at Baylor's.

Matthews, [to Warren.]

It may be that your fruit will then be ripe.
Blasinghame. Ay, come, sir, with your friend.
Warren, [to Matthews.] Perhaps! We'll see;-
There may be other fruits upon that tree.

Your name is Maurice?

"Tis, sir. Yours?

Savage. That answer did not please him, Blasinghame.
Maurice. I'm sorry for it sir; but you'll believe me,
When I assure you, that in penning it,
I never once conceived it necessary
To ask what were his tastes.

Savage. Eh, sir: you did not!
Well, let me tell you, those who know him better,
Are something curious never to offend him.
But you, sir, were a stranger;-did not know him
So well as others, born here in Missouri;
And so, he sends me to enlighten you.
Maurice.
I thank him.

Savage. Then, sir, I bear his peremptory challenge-She must go hence!

Which leaves you, sir, without alternatives,

Takes no apology, no explanation,