tant truth cannot be employed, but by naming those | have awkwardly paid his court, by echoing the sentiwho are still upon the stage of life, must we forbear to ments of Cromwell, the commander of the army of the use these means, lest we be suspected of flattery or ma- Parliament. So long as parties retain their names, their lignity? The necessity for doing this should indeed be watchwords and their leaders, their principles may vary always clear and strong: and you will bear me witness, indefinitely; and the very men who might now dethat I have commonly done so with reluctance. Fortu-nounce as criminal, any sentiment expressed in this disnately for me, gentlemen, (unfortunately for our coun- course, may, at a future day, take it as the watchword try,) it has happened that I could not perform my whole of their party. duty in this particular, without showing you that there But after all, gentlemen, the prize most worthy to is not one among those sworn defenders of the Consti- reward the toils of him who gives himself to the service tution, who stand most conspicuous as candidates for of his country, is one which does not depend on the public favor, and public honors, at whose hands it has capricious coincidence of public opinion with his fixed not received a wound. I have often indeed endeavored principles and convictions. The ostracism was the to give the history of the fact without naming the actor. crowning glory of the life of Aristides. The exile of Yet I have, from time to time, had occasion to name Camillus made him the saviour of his country: and the them all, and though I have never attempted to excite fame that lives and will live, when all the honors that your indignation, yet there is not one of them whom I contemporary approbation can bestow, shall be forgot have foreborne to censure. I have felt it to be right ten, is the meed of that virtuous constancy, that alike that I should censure them: for, one of the most impor-defies the tyrant's power, and resists the unbridled tant lessons you can learn is the danger of yielding passions of the multitude. The man of virtuous wisyourselves up to the impulses of that confidence, so na-dom cannot be withheld from the service of his country, tural to inexperienced and sanguine youth. "Put not Condemned to retirement, his unambitious life affords & your trust in princes, nor in the sons of men." If you pledge of sincerity, which gives sanction and authority go into life prepared to pin your faith upon the sleeve to his known opinions. The man of virtuous wisdom of any leader, to follow the fortunes and devote your- cannot be hid. His brightness shines through the cloud selves to the service of any political aspirant, my con- that would obscure him, and, gilded with his beams, he science ought to acquit me of having failed to warn you wears it as a glory. His fame is the gift of him, whose against conduct so dangerous and so criminal. It does approbation is the only true honor. Without the 'vanacquit me. If such are the purposes which will accom-tage ground of high station, he utters his voice, and it pany you into any station, to which your country may is heard by the listening ear that leans to catch his call you, the fault will not be mine. I have done what words. His post is the post of honor, whatever it be, I could. With other powers I might have done more: and he occupies it without fear of change. Man coand had I the eloquence which might inspire you with ferred it not, and man cannot take it away. And above a just zeal for your country's rights, and a righteous in-all, gentlemen, when that day shall come, which comes dignation against all who invade them, I am not sure that it would not have been my duty to lay aside all reserve; to strip off all concealment; to show the as-death, the garland that decks his tomb shall bloom in sassins of the Constitution "hacking each other's daggers in its sides;" expose its bleeding wounds, and "bid them speak for me."

Yet I must not mislead you, gentlemen, by withdrawing your attention from the fact, that he, who, in political life would act alone, must always act without effect. His efforts must often be associated with those of men

alike to all; when the warrior's wreath, and the statesman's civic crown, alike shall wither at the touch of

immortal freshness, watered by the pious tears of a grateful country, and guarded by the care of him to whom the memory of the just is precious.

who do not fully possess his confidence, and to secure ADDRESS ON CIVIL ENGINEERING. their cooperation, he must frequently tolerate, and sometimes support measures which his judgment conOn Tuesday, July 2nd, Professor MILLINGTON COM demns. This is one of those hard conditions, "twin-pleted the course of instruction, which he gives on the born with greatness," which gives the successful aspi- subject of Civil Engineering in William and Mary Col rant so much cause to envy him, who, in the indepen-lege, by a public examination of his class, and concludence of private life, chooses his company and regulates ded with the following remarks, which are here pubhis conduct by the dictates of his own conscience. lished at the request of the class.

In this, gentlemen, as in many other particulars, you will find that the ideas I have endeavored to inculcate, are not such as will qualify you to take an early and a prominent stand in the service of your country, or to win your way at once to the honors and emoluments of office. But if these last be the objects to which you purpose to devote yourselves, nothing that I have said will stand in your way. The political adventurer is never at a loss to divest himself of any inconvenient opinions, which might retard his progress in the career of ambition. Besides, there are no imaginable opinions which it may not at some time suit him to adopt. The devoted adherent of Cromwell the Protector, would

"Having closed this examination, my functions, as your teacher, cease for the present session, and we shall shortly have to part. I cannot, however, permit this event to take place, without some expression of my feelings on the occasion. After your experience, gentlemen, I need not tell you that the acquirement of knowledge is a dry and laborious occupation; and there is no doubt but that many (particularly among the juniors) who attend college, will look upon their instructors in the light of a set of tormentors, who are perpetually goading them onwards, in a rough and disagreeable path, to which they see no end; and even

Far different are the views of the instructors, and those who have been instructed. Their previous labors have put them in possession of the facts, that as the world advances in civilization, the sinewy arm of the savage warrior sinks into impotence before the armed mind of the enlightened man-that virtue and knowledge are the elements of power, by which men can not only make themselves happy, but promote the welfare and happiness of those around them; and by which, not only individuals, but whole nations are made to rise in power and general estimation.

when the end at length appears, they observe no re- | vanity, upon any of which the moral frame may be as ward to recompense them for their toil. effectually stranded and lost, as the bark of the mariner may be upon the rocks and shoals of the ocean. It is against these I desire to warn you; and it will require your every effort to steer clear of them; for they are often so sunk and disguised that you may be entangled in their mazes even before you know you are encountering them; and should you find yourselves within these trammels, safety can alone be sought by a vigorous determination and effort of mind and body to abandon the former track, and by steering a new course in the never failing path of moral rectitude. This applies equally to every calling and occupation of life. But the observations I have just been making have been more particularly called forth by the subject of our late discussions on engineering. There is, perhaps, no profession that is beset with greater difficulties and temptations than that of the civil engineer, especially on his outset into life, and on this account I shall lay before you a few remarks, drawn from my own experience in the profession, and which may, perhaps, prove useful to such of you as intend to confine your future exertions to this useful branch of business.

Such feelings cannot but engender an enthusiastic spirit in the breasts of instructors to promote the advancement of their pupils, so long as they find their precepts take root, and are not scattered before the winds; and such, gentlemen, have been my feelings during the progress of the session now about to close; for I can, without flattery, state to you, that the conduct of my philosophical and engineer classes, and of the major part of my junior class, has been such as not only merits, but commands my admiration and approval. They have convinced me, that they came to this place for the honorable purpose of improving themselves, that they might hereafter ornament their country; and this declaration, fortunately, does not depend upon my opinion alone, but upon the very excellent examinations they have gone through, in a manner so creditable to themselves, in the several departments of science in which they have embarked.

Still, gentlemen, you must keep in mind that the quantity and quality of instruction we can impart here, is not sufficient to make the perfect man. To some, perhaps, our course of instruction may appear long and minute; but those who duly view the subject, will find that it is a mere skimming over the surface, without attempting to fathom the depth. We may sow the seeds of a Bacon, a Newton, or a Locke, but it takes years for the plant to arrive at maturity. We may study the map, and become intimately acquainted with the roads, and the relative bearings and distances of places, but we know nothing of their beauties and deformities or comparative advantages without much tedious travelling, and perhaps encountering many hardships. So, gentlemen, it is with college. All we can profess to do, is to act as your pilots-to steer you with safety from an unknown coast-to warn you of dangers and difficulties-to carry you through them, and to launch you into the wide ocean of public life, with ample sailing directions and precautions for your future safety—and here, like the pilot, we must leave you, that we may return to take charge of new adven

turers.

Being now free, you may suppose that nothing more remains than to pursue your onward course and arrive at the haven of fame and prosperity. But the voyage through life is beset with many difficulties; and as the prudent mariner never ceases to keep watch for the shoals, the rocks and tempests that may assail his progress, so, like him, you must be watchful, and not permit indolence and apathy to lull you into the idea that your progress is certain and secure; for life, like the ocean, is beset with many obstacles-among the most prominent of which are, dissipation, idleness, and

Civil engineering, like all other professions, arises out of the necessities of society, for they all, in common, spring from the mutual dependence of men on each other, and the advantages that accrue to individuals from a division of talent and labor. No man would call upon the lawyer to plead his cause, or the physician to attend his family under sickness, if he felt convinced that his own talents and acquirements were superior to those of the person he employs. But a confidence is engendered by his knowledge, that the men he selects as his advisers have minutely studied their several professions in their younger days, and by devoting themselves exclusively to their pursuits in after life, he feels assured they must have become expert and proficient. And so it is with the more recently formed profession of the engineer. He must study in early life, not only to learn what has been done, but what yet remains to be done; for as the arts and manufacturing processes improve and multiply in an almost countless ratio-as the civilization of a country advances, structures are required beyond the skill and reach of the ordinary builder or mechanic, and then it is that the science and acquirements of the engineer are called into action; for I have before explained to you, that the skill of the engineer is not confined to the mere construction of rail roads, canals and bridges, for the easy transportation of goods, but to the construction of machinery of every kind, for converting raw materials to useful purposes, and to many other objects. To obtain public confidence, the young engineer must, therefore, in the first place, convince the public that he has duly studied and made himself (to a certain extent) master of his subject; and he must also accomplish or produce some work which may show that he is capable of carrying his conceptions into practical effect. The certificates of competency about to be delivered from this venerable institution to such of her alumni as have successfully prosecuted the subject of engineering within her walls, will no doubt go far to accomplish the first of these desiderata ; but the second is difficult of obtention, because it seldom happens that a young engineer, without experience, is entrusted with

the execution of a large work. Still, however, in afable endeavor to diminish expense; but is universally subordinate capacity, or while acting under a more blamed for want of skill, and perhaps loses his proexperienced master, he will have many opportunities of fessional reputation forever. evincing his proficiency and obtaining preferment. In- The last point to which I wish to call your attention, dependent of this, the genius of the young aspirant is regards your treatment of and demeanor towards confree to digest new plans, and many of the most useful tractors and workmen, who may be employed under works both of this country and of Britain have origi- your directions. In this respect, the engineer has a very nated in this way. The public mind is seldom excited important and responsible duty to perform, for he is in to action until some object is brought before it, on which almost all cases the arbiter or judge between the employ. it can operate. And if a young engineer can suggest er and the employed. In making contracts, or valuing plans for the improvement of his country and is able to work after it has been executed, it becomes his duty to show their benefit and advantage, it seldom happens regulate all prices in such manner that they may be fair that they are brought forward in vain. They only and equitable between both parties, without favor or require to be known that they may be adopted, and affection to either. Contractors, and those who have then in justice to the inventor he is rewarded by being spent years upon public works, you will in general find made the superintendent or executor of his own designs. to be cunning and over-reaching, and ever ready to The next difficulty in which the engineer is involved, convert every thing, both in measure and price, to their arises from his great responsibility. He is frequently own advantage. But I have always found, that when employed not only to design but to execute large and they meet a man who understands his business, and national concerns, in which vast capitals may be in- who is firm in his resolution to do justice to them, and volved. His master or employer, from the nature of no more, they are submissive, and ever ready to yield the concern, is seldom a single individual, but generally to what is fair and right. It has been the practice with a board or committee, consisting of many persons, all some engineers, to grind down their workmen to the of whom he has to conciliate and please. His original lowest cent, and barely to allow them living profits, design, therefore, requires intense thought and consi- for the sole purpose of currying favor with their em deration, for it is subject to the revision and animad-ployers; but such conduct never fails to lead to neglect version of all his employers, and the almost impossi- and inattention to the work, as well as endless disputes bility of pleasing every body is universally admitted. and disagreements; and you may rest assured, on my It is therefore, necessary, that he shall be prepared with own experience, that the only sure way to command sound arguments to support every part of what he is the respect of the employer and workmen, is to observe about to execute, unless he sees good reason in the the most strict and impartial justice between them. discussion of his plans for altering or amending any part of them. Firmness and decision of character will here prove of great value to him.

It frequently happens, that the works of the engineer place him and his workmen in thinly populated, or even unfrequented places; and, as man is naturally Another difficulty the engineer has to contend with, gregarious and fond of society, intimacies may arise arises from the durability of his works. Men of all which ought never to be carried beyond the limits of professions are liable to err; but it happens, fortunately propriety. Contractors, and the lower order of laborers for most of them, that unless their errors are very under them, are naturally prone to indulgence in glaring, they are soon forgotten and fall into oblivion, drinking and idle habits; and if these are once joined and consequently do not leave an indelible stain on in, or sanctioned by the engineer, there will be an end their professional reputation. Not so, however, with of all future order and subordination-consequently, the engineer-his works are, in their very nature, per- such practices should be scrupulously avoided. Publie manent and they are frequently large and open to contractors are ever ready to stand treat, as they call public view-so that they become monuments which it-that is to provide entertainments at their own cost; proclaim the skill or incompetency of their constructors yet they probably never do so, but for the purpose of to future generations, in language that cannot be dis-serving their own interests, by establishing friend. guised or misunderstood. Errors of construction, such ships, in order that their omissions and defaleations as have just been alluded to, frequently arise from a may pass unnoticed, or that they may take advantage desire on the part of the engineer to please his employer, in some shape or another. Above all, the practice (even at the risk of his own reputation,) a practice of borrowing money from contractors or workmen that every engineer should sedulously avoid. His skill cannot be too much deprecated, for this is in fact should be such as will enable him to determine the least giving up all hold upon the workman, and yielding quantity of material which he can use with safety for a him a degree of power which it is not right he given construction, and if he swerves at all from rule, should possess. The only true way of gaining the it should be on the side of additional strength rather esteem and confidence of your workmen, is to set them than of insufficiency. If he introduces more material a good example in your own conduct and demeanor. than what is palpably necessary for the strength of his To be courteous and civil without being too intimateconstruction, he will be justly blamed for a lavish ex- to be punctual in all your own appointments and duties, penditure of his employer's money. The error is, how- and to exact a like return on their parts-never to find ever, frequently on the other side; because, with the fault unless there is just cause for doing so, and then to view of courting public favor or that of his employer, be firm and resolute in having that which is wrong or for bringing his work within the first estimated cost, amended-to show strict and impartial justice and inhe frequently economizes materials and labor to such an tegrity in all your proceedings, and such a thorough extent as to introduce insecurity; and should a failure knowledge of what you are about, as will give conf occur in consequence, he is never thanked for his laud-dence in the propriety of your orders, which you must

never fail to see promptly executed.

will not only gain you the good will and esteem of your workmen, but of your employers and the public at the same time.

I have trespassed longer on your time, in laying these hints before you, than I had at first intended, but shall now conclude.

Such conduct | it not as it deserves to be esteemed, but should advance
with a slow and uncertain step (if indeed they advance
at all,) in the career of acquirement, unless some power-
ful incentive be applied to urge them forward, is one of
the innumerable evidences before us, that there is no
good provided for man which does not demand volun-
tary exertion to acquire and to retain it. You have, my
young friends, so far manifested a perfect appreciation
You have commenced
of the value of knowledge.
your career most auspiciously. The time which you
have passed with us, has afforded to you moments of
golden opportunity, which most of you have grasped
and made your own. But the impressions which you
have thus received, will be weakened, and ultimately
effaced, by contact with the world. Time itself will
wear them out, unless they are constantly renewed and

To you, gentlemen, of the engineer class, and of all my classes, I now beg to tender my warm thanks for the kind attention I have met with from you all, during the past session, and to hope that the instructions I have endeavored to lay before you, may ripen into the fruit of usefulness in your after lives. And as our relation of master and student here ceases, I wish you all health, happiness and prosperity, and trust that the friendship that has been engendered between us during our intercourse in the present session, may endure to the end of our lives, as I assure you it will

do to the end of mine."

ADDRESS

Delivered before the Students of William and Mary College, on the 3d of July, 1839, by Professor Robert Saunders. Published at the request of the Students.

Gentlemen of William and Mary—

deepened by that continued exertion of which I have spoken as the only price of learning. Are you capable of this exertion? I will not flatter you. It is arduous. But its very difficulty should arouse your pride to achieve it. This difficulty is, however, greatest on the threshold. Action is unpleasant only to the mind which is unused to it. Soon it becomes a habit-and finally, (such is the happy constitution of our intellectual nature,) what was once an irksome and a weary task, becomes the source of the purest and most exalted gratification-and the mind is gradually led to the highest state of cultivation of which it is susceptible, by receiving as the reward of each additional effort, a corresponding increment of pleasure.

The tumultuous amusements, the evanescent pleasures, and exciting employments of youth, may cause to go unheeded the restless workings of the unsatis

ments will be as childish toys, on whose taste those pleasures will pall, and for whose strength those employments are too fervent; then, when the bright hues which floated in the atmosphere of life's morning, have faded away, and given place to the gray of its twilight, will the mild lustre of intellectual attainments beam with delightful radiance. Then can the cultivated mind look in upon itself, and find in its ample stores a

At the close of another college session, it becomes us to offer you a few words of farewell at parting, of congratulation at your success, and of cheering on your onward course. There can, indeed, be no more wor-fied spirit; but age will come, to which those amusethy cause of congratulation than the simple fact that you enjoy the privilege of education--that the mysteries of your own nature have been revealed to you-that the high endowments, the far-reaching aspirations, the vast capacities, which are the immortal heritage of man, are unveiled to your view, and put in action within you—that you are not of the mass who exist, and pass from existence, in unconsciousness of the treasures they possess, but that you have been adjudg-solace for that heartless want of sympathy with which ed worthy of kindling fires on the altars of science and philosophy of opening the portals beyond which lie the hidden things of nature. Such being the magnificent results of intelluctual cultivation, it would seem but necessary to place them in view of the youthful aspirant, to ensure untiring energy, and a sustained and sustaining ardor in their acquisition-and it would appear an infatuation little short of madness, were he to turn aside, or linger on his path. Could we, indeed, see things as they are--were nothing obscured from our sight by the mists of familiar error, or weakened in its influence by the force of accident and habit, we should be able to set a proper value upon the glorious privilege of education. But such is our constitution, that those who possess it have their perception of its value blunted by its possession--and those who possess it not, require its aid to invest them with the very knowledge of their deficiency. For these last, this is indeed a wise and benificent provision. In this sense, but in this alone, the oft quoted line is true-that "if ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." That those, however, having this inestimable gift, should yet esteem

the world are wont to regard old age. How blank and dreary, then, is the life of one who has neglected the opportunities of his youth!-who, in the hey-dey of enjoyment grasped the tinsel and the dross, and cast away or heeded not the pure gold. The mind of such a man, waste, uncultivated, and barren, compared with a mind richly stored with the fruits of reading and reflection, is as the homely piece of unsightly canvass compared with the same material glowing with magic tints and embodying the immortal conceptions of the painter. Can you, under the influence of these considerations, and with the lofty destiny of the intellect fully revealed to you, be satisfied with yourselves, if you press not on to the fulfilmentof that destiny? Can you consent to the degradation, after having been within view of the sacred fane, of having it again hidden from your sight, by falling back upon those who, in the language of the Roman historian, "Vitam transeunt veluti pecora?"

Will you not rather hold fast what you have gained, and be able hereafter to say, with the Roman orator, quantum alie tribuunt tempestivis conviviis, quantum

66

unheeding alike the blandishments of the courtier and the denunciations of the demagogue. As patriots, then, I call upon you to devote yourselves to your country. Be not deceived-think not, as is too generally imagined, that your services in public life are alone valuable to your country. Far more efficient will be your aid if you shall render your mind capable of directing the public course of others.

It is true, your recompense may be less brilliantfor action is more dazzling to men than thought. You may not be hailed by the plaudits of sycophantic parti zans; but you will enjoy the pure and exulting satisfaction of being applauded by your own hearts! and who will compare the roar of the multitude with the still small voice of an approving conscience?

denique aleæ, quantum pila, tantum mihi egomet-ad hæc | ambition and unbiassed by party spirit, may decide studia recolenda sumpsi ?" As one means of the greatest impartially upon the course of their fellow citizens; efficacy in promoting and perfecting mental culture, let me recommend to you to think. It has been remarked, that one element of characteristic difference between men, is the fact, that one man thinks, while another permits his fellows to think for him. The great importance of thinking, consists in the circumstance that it requires independent action of the mind, and thereby produces that intimate knowledge of the extent of one's own abilities which is absolutely essential to success. The man who adopts, without examination, the thoughts of others, may fancy them his own, and imagine himself wise. But no one can delude himself by the belief that his powers are great, who becomes acquainted with their weakness. It is not of great moment whether your reflections be at first altogether correct--that just diffidence in your own powers, which I Be not discouraged either, if the sphere of your influhave just spoken of as a consequence of the habit of ence should be limited. Every one whose intellect has thinking, will necessarily prompt you to seek support been advanced to the highest point of cultivation of for your conclusions in the opinions of others. The which it is susceptible, will add something to the genemind will sit as arbiter between conflicting sentiments; ral store of proper thinking and virtuous feeling. In and you will eventually establish habits of clear, pre-deed, his power will be far more than he is himself cise and accurate thought; than which there is no aware of. For, as Shakspeare compares a good deed faculty more valuable, and none more rarely possessed. in this bad world to a little candle which shines from afar, The reason why this faculty so seldom appears, is so, most apposite would be the comparison to one whose plain. This exercise of the mind, is, to the beginner, as mind, though naturally not of extraordinary force, is irksome as any other; and willing to enjoy the reputation yet conspicuously elevated by careful and diligent of possessing a well stored mind, he is unable to resist training. But, young gentlemen, there is less in supe the temptation of ministering to his indolence, by ap- riority of intellect than is usually supposed. Look propriating the thoughts of others, which lie in profu- around you in the world-even within your short expe sion around him courting his acceptance. He is, in rience you must have observed that men's influence and fine, content to be one of those who use, and not of efficiency are not altogether commensurate with their those who add to the store. mental powers. You often see a man distinguished for his success, who was originally not blessed with a commanding intellect—and, on the other hand, how many do you find of minds the most acute, and of infor mation the most varied, who rest in inglorious apathy, and are known and felt not beyond the sphere of their familiar acquaintance. There must be some cause for this-and the cause is one which should inspire every one who enjoys the blessings of education to press forward with unblanching eye to the light which blazes on

Labor in acquisition, invaluable as it is, suffices not then altogether to advance to their full grown vigor all the powers of the intellect. It may make you learned; but thought must accompany it, to make you wise and efficient.

"Study is like the heaven's glorious sun,

That will not be deep-search'd with saucy looks: Small have continual plodders ever won

Save base authority from others' books."

To the considerations which I have already mentioned, as urging you to pursue the career of knowledge which you have commenced, may be added one peculiarly applicable to you as citizens of a republic.

The success of republican government depends, as all agree, upon the virtue and right thinking of the people. That republic must inevitably end in ruin, the moral rectitude of whose people is perverted, or their good sense bewildered. A sound and wholesome and overruling public opinion is essential to its existence. Whence is this public opinion to emanate? From the feverish atmosphere of politics?-from the reeking steam of faction, or from the midnight darkness of ignorance? To what source are we to look for this public opinion, but to those whose hearts, elevated by the precepts of virtuous wisdom, and whose minds, purified by the influence of literature and thought, raise them above the unwholesome vapors engendered by party strife? Every day is the importance of the establishment of a learned class in our country, becoming more and more palpable to the patriot's eye. A class, who, separated from politics, with intellect unclouded by

"The steep where fame's proud temple shines afar." It is, that greatness and distinction are the result rather of moral effort than of mental superiority—rather of the determination than the ability to be great. It requires but the sustained exercise of the will-the concentration of the moral energy of man, to elevate him to any point which he may choose to attain.

I speak not here, of course, of those whose intellect is too feeble even to incite the possessor to this exertion of the will; nor, on the other hand, of those who seemingly descended from a higher sphere, speak but to command-put forth the hand but to subdue—and who see all things by the lightning glance of genius. But of all others, it may be confidently affirmed, that the will alone is wanting to elevate them before the world. Every man who has exercised much influence over his fellow man, has been distinguished by the im periousness of his will-the invincible strength of his determination. The will, indeed, comprises the whole moral efficacy of man. He wills to do whatever he does. Since, then, greatness is, to a certain extent,