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HOPKINSON'S INTRODUCTORY LECTURE.

311

dreary and monotonous prospect. Every path that leads age and enduring patience; and sometimes yielding to to honor and wealth lies at his feet, and invites his step. the first pressure without a struggle. From such moEvery excitement that can stimulate an aspiring heart dels we may shape and fashion ourselves; by the force urges him to advance. The bright reward is before of such examples and the precepts and reflections which him, and the way is clear. He may change the object the good and wise of many ages have drawn from them, of pursuit at pleasure; he may try every avenue of for- we may become better and wiser ourselves; we may tune and fame, until his efforts are crowned with suc- strengthen the resolution of virtue; we may sharpen cess. He may begin life in a counting house and end it our sagacity, and improve our faculties of reasoning, on the bench of justice. In his youth he may be enga- discrimination and judgment. Is there any situation of ged in some mechanic art, and, at a mature age, find life in which such lessons, such meditations, such ro himself taking a leading part in the councils of the na-sults must not be of infinite importance and utility? tion; or teaching the sublime truths of religion from the altars of his God. But can he hope to achieve these things with honor and advantage, unless he is thoroughly educated in his early life; unless all his faculties have been exercised & improved to their utmost stretch,& his capacity enlarged and filled? Without this, if, by accident, he should rise, it will be but the more to discover his defects; the more he undertakes to do, the more will his insufficiency appear; and his distinctions will expose him to mortification and reproach. Ultimately he must fall back to the insignificance and neglect above which he is unable to sustain himself. The American parent does an injustice to his child which he can never repay; for which no inheritance can compensate, who refuses to give him a full education, because he is not intended for a learned profession. Whatever he may intend, he cannot know to what he may come; and if there should be no change in this respect, will a liberal education be lost upon him, because he is not a lawyer, a doctor, or a divine? Nothing can be more untrue or pernicious than this opinion. It is impossible to imagine a citizen of this commonwealth to be in any situation in which the discipline and acquirements of education, however various and extended, will not have their value. They will give consideration and usefulness, which will be seen and felt in his daily intercourse of business or pleasure; they will give him weight and worth as a member of society; and be a never fading source of honourable, virtuous and lasting enjoyments, under all circumstances and in every station of life. They will preserve him from the delusions of dangerous errors and the seductions of degrading and destructive vices. The gambling table will not be resorted to, to get rid of ennui and tardy time, when the library offers a more attractive resource. The bottle will not be applied to stir the languid and listless mind to action and delight, when the magic of the poet is at hand to rouse the imagination, and pour its fascinating wonders on the soul. Such gifts, such acquirements, such sensibilities, will make their possessor a truer friend; a more cherished companion; a more interesting and beloved husband; a more valuable and respected parent. Must not the head of an enlightened family depend upon his moral and intellectual superiority for the best part of the submission and deference which are given to his authority. His children cannot shut their eyes and ears; and if, day by day, they are compelled to make comparisons by which he sinks into vulgarity and insignificance, how can they escape the influence with which such comparisons must affect them as observing and rational beings. As well might an habitual drunkard expect to conceal from the observation of his family the proofs of his intemperance, as an uneducated man to hide his ignorance.

It has been truly said that "a man of well improved faculties has the command of another's knowledge; a man without them, has not the command of his own." This is the business of education-Of all these faculties we would assign the first place to the judgment. It is this which regulates the opinions and conduct of the individual on every occasion on which he is called upon to decide and to act. The memory, the reasoning power, the imagination should all contribute to inform and enlighten the judgment; and the judgment should be capable of deciding justly, truly and wisely on the whole case. To do this it must possess experience, exactness and vigour. It is abundantly clear, and the remark was made by a very acute observer of human nature, that a man who has been trained to think upon one subject, or for one subject only, will never be a good judge even in that one. The excellence of this faculty is formed by comparison, discrimination and a quick and certain perception of differences in things apparently alike to a careless observer. To make such comparisons, to acquire this power of perception and discrimination, we must have a full and various stock of ideas. If we have seen and thought but of one subject, and the few simple ideas that belong to it; if the mind has every day travelled in the same narrow circle of observation and reflection, how can the faculty of judg ment be exercised, enlarged or strengthened? What opportunity is afforded to it for comparison, for discrimination, for deciding between one thing and ano ther. It must become palsied by disuse and blinded by darkness. The simple and unvaried process of an occupation which, in its daily exercise, is but the repetition of the same or similar details must finally extinguish the perception and destroy the vigour of the judgment. To give it health and strength, it should be employed in various subjects; its own force should be put in constant requisition; its own efforts exerted; its resources brought into action. Let no one be the exclusive slave of any profession, nor trammel or benumb his faculties by a sole and undivided attention to one business, but let him spread his mental power over every department of human knowledge and genius. His excellence in his particular business will be thus promoted, and his resources enlarged and enriched. He will acquire the habit of seeing things clearly; of comparing without confounding them; of separating their various attributes, and discriminating their qualities. He will be enabled to dive into motives and interests, thus fixing the true character and estimate of human actions; and, judging of them with exactness, he will not be deceived.

The field for such exercises is found not only in the graver walks of philosophy, but throughout the department of general literature; history and poetry; in Education is always respectable, and always useful; works of imagination as well as on the pages of historialways a source of the most delightful as well as profita cal truth. Human actions, real or fictitious, are pourble pleasure. It opens for our employment and use trayed with a master pencil; motives and interests are the treasures of philosophy; history and poetry; of all developed with a deep and searching spirit; principles that men have done and all they have thought. It explained and exemplified-All the springs and workbrings to us the most profound speculations, the severest ings of passion, folly, and selfishness, are put in motion, reason and the wild imaginings of the human mind. and traced from their sources to their termination; from We learn from it, as the things of our own days, what the commencement of their career to its fortunate or man has been from the beginning, and what he is. We fatal conclusion. Who can study, for such books should are taught his virtues and his vices; his powers and his be read as studies and not as amusing pastimes, the voweakness, in prosperity and adversity. We see him lumes of Shakspeare; of Milton; Addison, Johnson, under temptations sometimes resisted with heroic cour-Goldsmith, without rising from them with an immense

accumulation of new and useful ideas; without seizing him into a thousand errors, perhaps into incurable vices, important and interesting views of this "state of man;' to be the bane of his life; the destruction of his hap of the human character and condition, and drawing sub-piness, character and usefulness, It is to your libra lime and penetrating lessons and examples of every ries you must look for these excellent and approved virtue and every vice. Who that takes these things teachers and models. seriously to heart will not become a better and wiser In directing your attention to books for knowledge; man. What heart, not deadened and torpid as frozen in earnestly pressing upon you to consult with assiduiclay, does not throb with unspeakable sensibility, at ty, the great oracles of wisdom and taste, whose works the scenes which pass before it; whose soul does not have endured through many generations, receiving swell and expand with the consciousness of the power their successive sanction, you must not understand me and dignity of the genius of man; and whose thoughts to recommend that you should content yourselves with are not thus elevated to contemplate himself as a being learning by rote their reasoning, or adopting, without intended for higher and purer pleasures than sensuality examination, their opinions. Indeed if every opinion can bestow. Go to your lesson—if ambition is gnawing uttered were true and every argument logical and your heart.-See how the lust of power has transformed sound, you would by a servile acquiescence in them, others into demons of blood and destruction; and be obtain but a part of the uses of reading and study. You content to be loved and respected, rather than to be might become possessed of a large and rich stock of hated and feared. The creations of fancy do not move facts; of many true and excellent deductions from them; me more than the yivid and strong representations of of just and elevated sentiments, and sublime imaginings; history. Who can peruse the volumes of Hume and but they would lie on your memory as in the books Gibbon, without being filled with the mighty subjects from which you derived them, unless by the exercise of of their pens? I speak of the political facts and transac- your own understanding, you make them your own. You tions they narrate.-What a thirst for something more must pass them into the circulation of yourown thoughts; oppresses the heart? How all the elements of the soul test them by your own experience, and apply them to effervesce? How every faculty is strained, and labours practical use. If you suffer the knowledge you have obto understand every action, every motive and interest of tained from your books to rest upon the memory as it the great actors in the scene; to discriminate and de- came there, it might as well, for any practica! purpose, cide between them, to approve or condemn.-It is have remained on your shelves, to be taken down, as when we are worked up to this state of excitement by occasion might demand. The food we take into the contemplating the deeds of man, we feel and know that stomach will contribute nothing to cur nourishment, man must be immortal; for the deeds themselves, and health and strength, unless it be digested, and, passing the spirit that records them, bespeak a being whose into the different parts of the body, become part of ourpowers extend beyond this world. Such minds were sclves-without this process and distribution it is rathnot made; such capacity was not given, to deck the life er a weight upon the organs of life; an oppression upof an ephemeron; nor to be exhausted for the amuse- on the elasticity of the system. So it is with learning rement or use of creatures whose being will terminate maining on the memory in the crude masses in which it after a short and fretful existence. Let the man who was received. Reflection is the digestive power of presumes, on some shallow sophism, to doubt on this the mind; by this we prove what we have lead and subject, for disbelieve he cannot, look well to it. Let heard; we separate it into its various parts; we modify him answer me, if his reason, in which he confides so conclusions that are too strong; we narrow principles much, can be satisfied with the belief, that a being with that are too universal, and extend those that are too such miraculous gifts and faculties can perish like the much restricted, to new objects and relations. We st worm he treads on? lect and retain what is good and valuable, and reject the But my purpose, from which I have wandered for a unsound and unprofitable. We thus extract from that moment, is to impress upon you the necessity of we have learned from others, all its nutritious juices; we exercising your judgment on various subjects of inquiry, strengthen and enrich the soil of our own intellect; vain order to improve it in your particular business, what-king it capable, in return, of producing fruit and food for ever it may be; and to eradicate a false and dangerous others. error, that a man engaged in one occupation need not Another evil consequence of depending wholly on extend his knowledge beyond it. Judgment, in its most authority for our opinions on all subjects, and shrinking extended sense has been defined, by Montaigne, to be from the use of our own understanding, is, that we re"a master principle of business; literature and talent, main in a mental, helpless childhood, all our lives; be which gives a person strength on any subject he chooses coming indeed more timid and servile than children. to grapple with, and enables him to seize the strong We lose all, the most modest confidence in ourselves; point of it."-How unusual then is its application and we give up that independence of thought and action, use! How infinite its importance to every man in every which is the noblest privilege of a rational being-we situation.It is the great teacher of our opinions; the sink into mere machines, automata, worked by a thouguide of our conduc; the arbiter of what is fit or unfit; sand springs and wires, drawing us sometimes in one prudent or imprudent; safe or dangerous; profitable or direction and then in another-we fear to move a step injurious. When then should we begin to acquire and without our leading string; or to speak not "in verbo make perfect this "master principle?" When should magistri." The perceptions and conclusions of our own that education commence its work which is to give to judgment are altogether neglected and disregarded; and the mind that quickness of sight, that vigour of action, we refer perpetually and often absurdly, to what has and exactness of comparison, which constitutes Judg. been said or done on the question a century or more ament. It must be done in early life, or it never will go. Such readers may be truly called Book-worms, who be well done. Except in a few extraordinary cases, the devours words, but never touch an idea. The faculties education of a youth is so far completed before the age bestowed upon us by nature are of uo other use than to of twenty years, as to have fixed his leading principles: register the judgments of other minds; and where we fashioned his habits and given a direction to his facul- have no such authority at hand, we stand, lost, confounties, at least, in a sufficient degree to affect, if not de- ded and unable to advance or retreat. We decide nothcide his character and standing in life. Every portioning for ourselves; the will becomes torpid by inaction, of this eventful period has some influence on his ultimate destiny. Day by day he forms opinions; he adopts tastes; he establishes maxims; he surrenders himself to theories; he accumulates prejudices, all of which, if not furnished and governed by a sound and enlightened in struction; by wise teachers and just models, will lead

and, like a palsied arm, can be moved only by extrinsic force-Who would expect to make his limbs and muscles strong, active, and adroit, without exercise and a constant application of them to their uses? or hope to exeel in athletic feats by studying, without practising, the means and preparations employed by the great mas

1829.]

PENNSYLVANIA CAÑAL.

313

ters of the art. It has been well said that "although we CANAL NAVIGATION IN PENNSYLVANIA. may be learned by the help of others, we can never be Lewistown, Penn. Nov. 5, 1829. wise but by our own wisdom." The practical applica tion of knowledge will make us wise; we thus enlarge PACKET BOAT "JUNIATA."-On Thursday last this our views of every subject that is interesting to us as in- boat, built by Joseph Cummins, Esq. of Mifflintown, dividuals, or parts of the great family of mankind; we arrived at this town from Mifflin, having on board a multiply our ideas; correct errors; erase prejudices; pu- large party of ladies and gentlemen' from the lower rify our principles, and settle down upon the everlast-end of the county. The boat was met at the head of ing foundations of truth in all things. This is the true the Narrows by a large party of ladies and gentlemen use and value of all we can acquire and know from the from Lewistown, accompanied by the Lewistown Band; examples of the great, or the lessons of the learned. If who got on board the packet, and landed here about we make not this use of it, it is worthless lumber; or, two o'clock, P. M. About four o'clock, the company rather the source and aliment of pride, selfishness and from Mifflin, after having taken dinner, and a number conceit. It produces in us pedantic dulness and ridicu- of ladies and gentlemen of Lewistown, embarked on lous ostentation; it unfits us for social intercourse and board the packet and returned to Mifflin that evening, rational recreation, and makes us disagreeable com- remained there all night, and the next day returned to panions in all the relations of life. You all know, for Lewistown with the view of conveying the members of volumes of calumnious travels and sarcastic journals at the Legislature who had, by a publication in the papers, test it, the contemptuous arrogance with which those been invited to pass through the canal to the mouth of who envy and these who hate our country, delight to re- the river; but in consequence of a letter having been vile us, as a sordid, groveling, degenerate race, having received by Mr. Clarke from Mr. Craft, of Pittsburg, no ambition but to accumulate wealth, and no pleasure one of the western members, stating that the members but in the ostentatious display of it, and the sensual from the west would be on on Saturday, the boat was gratifications it can procure. Tha', sunk in ignorance, detained until about half after three on that day, when we are fit for nothing but labour, and desire nothing several of the members, consisting of Mr. Brown, of but its gross and golden returns. This is a malignant Allegheny and Mr. Fox, of Indiana, Jefferson, &c. &c. slander not to be answered by words. It is by our deeds of the Senate, and Mr. Craft, of Allegheny, Mr. M‘Quaid, we must expose and refute it. It is by associations like of Westmoreland, Mr. Blair, of Huntingdon, Mr. Galthat I have the honor to address, which in their forma- braith, of Venango, Mr. Pytriken, of Centre, and Mr. tion exhibit a nobler emulation and loftier aims than av- Cummin, of this county, who afterwards joined them at arice can dream of; and in their consequences, an ex- Mifflin, of the House of Representatives; with Mr, Vintent and variety of information, which will put to shame, cent, an Engineer from the west, and a number of in the face of the world, the slanderer & those who have strangers and citizens of Lewistown, got on board the believed him. It is from you, your country demands boat, which was drawn by two elegant large, white this redemption of her honor; this justice to her fame. horses, when she set off in fine style with the "star You must purify her from defamation, and become her spangled banner" flying at her head, and amidst the irresistible advocates, by your example. Assert her roar of cannon, the shouts of the populace, and the claims to the same glory and distinction, in the intelli- cheering music of the band which was on board. gence of her people, which she assuredly enjoys by the pre-eminence of her political freedom and individual happiness. I enlist every one of you in this honest, honorable war; it is a good fight, in the cause of truth and your country, and you must conquer, not by violence and retorted vituperation, but by those evidences of moral worth and cultivated talents, which it will be vain to deny, and foolish to oppose.

Do not permit yourselves to doubt that the refinements of education are altogether compatible with the pursuits of commerce, and the duties of the counting house; nor believe, that the man who limits his efforts to be a mere merchant, has any better chance of success, than he who softens the labours and anxieties of

trade by the pleasures of learning, and the charms of genius. You have among you many living examples of the happy union of business and literature, eminent for their success in both.

You are Merchants-but remember that you are something more than this. You do not live in a land of nobles and privileged classes, who might hold you in a subordinate station. You are Citizens of the United States; meinbers of a great and growing republick, where there are none greater than you, but as their talents, their knowledge, their virtues, their industry, their usefulness, may make them so. The whole field of human honour and distinction is spread before you. Be prepared to enter upon it; be ready and able to sustain the duties your country may impose on you, in any department of service. You are American Gentlemen, and should be wanting in none of the accomplish ments which belong to that exalted character. earnestly entreat you, especially my young fellow citizens, to feel it, deeply to feel it, to be your highest temporal duty, to emblazon the fame of your country, to increase her stock of intelligence and moral worth, and to make her the chosen land of Virtue, Knowledge, und Independence.

VOL. IV.

40

Let me

Previous to the boat having arrived at the first lock, it was understood that Mr. Clarke had intended to name all the locks to the mouth of the river in presence of the members. Learning this, a number on board appointed Mr. Brown, the venerable Senator from Allegheny, he being a western member, to take advantage of Mr. Clarke, and to name the first lock the "James Clarke" as a testimony of the confidence which the company reposed in his wisdom and integrity, as the faithful friend of internal improvement. As soon as the boat entered the chamber, Mr. Brown called the attention of the company, and addressed them as nearly in the following words, as we can recollect.

ру

"Friends and fellow citizens:-The canal on which

we are now floating, is a part of the grand system of
internal improvement, which is calculated to make eve-
y Pennsylvanian proud that he is a l'ENNSYLVANIAN.
This branch of improvement, fellow citizens, will have
a tendency to strengthen the bonds of friendship which
have heretofore so happily existed between the citizens'
of the Eastern and Western sections of the state.
"To no individual are we more indebted for this hap-
sioner on the Juniata Division of the Pennsylvania Ca-
result than to James Clarke, Esq. Acting Commis-
nal-he has laboured with judgment and zeal in the
cause of internal improvement from the commence-
citizens of this county express a desire to give the Canal
ment to the present time, and I am happy to hear the
Lock immediately below Lewistown, the name of the
worthy citizen who has done so much to accomplish
this happy result. Therefore, ali who are in favour of
this lock being named the "JAMES CLARKE," will please
to say "Aye," which was unanimously approved of by
the acclamations of the people.

The day was rainy, and there was a dense fog between the mountains, which made it quite disagreeable for persons to remain on deck; but so desirous were the members to view the magnificent work through the narrows, that they exposed themselves to the weather

Abstract of the state records at Harrisburg, made by Thomas Sergeant, Esq. when Secretary of the Common

mittee of the American Philosophical Society, Nov. 3,

Donation to Gov. John Printz of Teneko or New Gotten-wealth, and by him presented to the Historical Comburg in New Sweden, as a perpetual inheritance for him and his lawful heirs. Stockholm, Nov. 6, 1643.

We Christina &c Make known that as grace and particular favor, on account of the long and excellent services, which the Lieutenant Colonel and Governor of New Sweden, our very dear and beloved John. Printz, has rendered to us and to the crown of Sweden and also on account of those which he is daily rendering to us in the government of the country and which he is engaged to render us as long as he shall live, we have given and granted, and by virtue of this letter patent do give and grant to him the said John Printz and his lawful heirs, the place called Teneko or New Gottenburg, in New Sweden, to enjoy it, him and his lawful heirs, as a perpetual possession. In regard to which, accordingly let them regulate themselves, who owe to us submission and obedience, and whose desire and duty requires them to fulfil our will, especially those who may in future, be appointed to re-place him in said situation not giving to the said John Printz or to his lawful heirs any obstacle or prejudice in any manner, whether now or hereafter. In faith of which, &c. Day and year above. PETER BRAKE,

A. OXENSTIERNA,

GUSTAVUS HORN,
CHARLES FLEMING,
G. OXENSTIERNA.

Reply to the letter of John Printz commander at New
Sweden.

Stockholm, September 16, 1647.
Christina Greeting &c We have, Commander John
Printz, received your letter dated New Gottenburg, 20
Feby of this year, and by it as well as by the reports
which have reached us, we have been completely infor-
med of the nature and actual condition of New Sweden,
as also respecting the progress of cultivation, and the
construction of dwellings in that country. Now, as all
this information is infinitely agreeable and as we have
remarked with a particular satisfaction the zeal, skill,
and activity with which you have filled your station of
Commander; we assure you, that we shall preserve you
in memory, and reward your zealous and faithful servi-
ces with all our royal favor. As to your particular re-
quest relative to an augmentation of apportionment and
also that we would deign to confer on you certain lands
and occupations; we wishto reflect upon the means of
arranging it by some augmentation of salary, and if the
lands which you ask have not been given away and they
are not required for the cavalry or soldiers, & the busi-
ness having been examined in our chamber of finance,
we shall be well disposed to grant you what is just, not
doubting that as you have to the present time manifest-
ed your zeal and fidelity for our service and that of the
country, you will continue to act with the same zeal
and fidelity not regarding it too difficult and fatiguing to
regulate and direct for some time yet,the establishments
of New Sweden, until we shall find another person
whom we can send to re-place you. This is what we
wish you to be informed of, which God &c. Given as
above.
CHRISTINA.
NILS FUNGEL.

New Township.-The south-western part of the town. ship of Dallas in this county, has been set off as a separate township, and is to be called LEHMAN, in honour of William Lehman, Esq. who while a member of the legislature of this State, distinguished himself as the able and indefatigable advocate of the internal improvement Luzerne Herald. system.

1819.-1748 to 1758.

Continued from page 273.

May 3, 1754.-Letter received from George Washington to Gov. M. stating, "It was with the greatest concern he acquainted him that Mr. Ward, ensign in Capt. Trent's company was compelled to surrender his fort in the Forks of the Monongiale on the 17th, to the French, who fell down from Weningo (Venango) with a fleet of 360 battoes and canoes, with upwards of 1000 men, and 18 pieces of artillery, which they planted against the fort, drew up their men, and sent a summons to Mr. Ward, who having but an inconsiderable number of men, and no cannon to make a proper defence, was obliged to surrender: they suffered him to draw off his men and arms, and working tools, and gave leave that he might retreat to the inhabitants. I have heard of your honor's great zeal for his majestie's service, and for all our interes's on the present occasion. You will see by the inclosed speech of the Half King's, that the Indians expect some assistance from you: and I am persuaded you will take proper notice of their moving specch, and of their unshaken fidelity. I have arrived thus far with a detachment of 150 men. Col. Fry, with the remainder of the regiment and artillery, is daily expected. In the mean time we advance slowly over the mountains, making the roads as we march fit for the carriage of our great guns, &c. and are designed to proceed as far as the mouth of Red Stone Creek, which enters Monongialo about 37 miles aboye the fort taken by the French: from whence we have a water carriage down the river. And there is a store house built by the Ohio company, which may serve as a receptacle for our ammunition and provisions. Besides these French that came from Weningo, we have credible accounts that another party are coming up the Ohio. We also have intelligence that six hundred of the Chippeways and Ottoways are marching down Scioto Creek to join them. I hope your honour will excuse the freedom I have assumed in acquainting you with these advices. It was the warm zeal I owe my country, that influenced I am, &c. me to it, and occasioned this express."

The speech of the Half King was that they were ready to strike the French, only waited for assistance.

Governor Dinwiddie to Gov. H. Williamsburg. April 27. "I cannot help observing that two proprietary governments distinguish themselves in this exiOur forces gence by not contributing their assistance. are all marched to the number of 350; from N. Carolina 300 are on their way to join. I daily expect two independent companies from N. York, and one from S. Carolina: when called together will be near 1000 men.

May 7. A party of French praying Indians went to Virginia, and came back with a great many scalps, and four Indians, one whereof was the son of Col. Cresap. Said their father Onontio (French) had ordered them to do so. Governor H. recommends to assembly the union of councils in Indian affairs; and that they should enable him to instruct the Albany commissioners to agree on a plan. Troops sent out by Governor of Virginia to build two forts, and repel force by force.

Governor
Gov. also

May 14. Bill passed for striking bills of credit to the amount of £30,000, and granting 10,000 to the King's use, to be sunk by an excise in 10 years. amended it to four years. House insisted. insisted. House inclined to adjourn to 19th Aug. Message to Gov. that they granted a present to be given by the Albany commissioners.

May 30. Commission signed to the Albany commis