The Relations of Man to the Material World.

We should all doubtless think it a remarkable privilege could we in past eternity have stood by the side of the Creator to witness the birth of the universe-could we have gazed while "orbs of beauty and spheres of flame-through the void abyss by myriads came "-when our earth emerged from chaos, and after many mighty physical revolutions became at last the fitting residence of sinless men-" when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy "when the Creator shut up the sea with doors, and said, “hitherto shalt thou come and no further, and here shall thy proud waves be staid." We, too, should have been ready to join in the glad anthem of the morning stars. But every one of us can be almost as really witnesses of the creative power as if we had been seated on an angel's throne, while He fashioned the beauty of this earth and twined around it the girdle of the sea. This wondrous knowledge is the gift of Science. As if our eyes had been rubbed with the magical ointment of the Arabian tale, we can discern the processes and stages of by-gone creations, and give interpretation to those eternal laws which bind the universe together in unity and order. In Nature's temple there are many mansions. Into these sacred retreats the High Priests of Nature have, age after age, retired-alone with thought and God, and thence returned rich in sublime revelations. The Naturalist tells us of the wondrous variety and usefulness of the animated tribes "innumerous living creatures, perfect forms," as the archangel told the story to the sire of men, when he

in Adam's ear

So charming left his voice that he awhile

Thought him still speaking, still stood fixed to hear."

space,

If we would take the wings of evening and pierce the recesses of we can follow Kepler in his mysterious journey above this "visible diurnal sphere," till the heavens are all before us, and we can see that glorious vision of Herschel-world circling around world, and system around system, and world and system and system of system wheeling in harmonious homage at the foot of the Eternal throne. And even that early cosmical history of which the action was unfolding through countless ages, when man was yet unborn, is all lithographed and stereotyped upon the ancient rocks, and the geologist reads the records with more facility and precision than the Orientalist who deciphers the story of Assyrian empire from the time-worn slabs of Nimroud.

The second relation of man to the material world, is the poetic. Science analyzes the soul of things, but Poetry is content to gaze upon the outward beauty of the All-mother, and thence gather tranquillity and joy. The poet's privilege is to wander amid "the balm, the bliss, the beauty and the bloom," along the flower-fringed streamlet and up the sun-ascending mountains, to gaze on "ocean's gray and melancholy waste," and the sky with its varied garniture of planet and constellation, and cloud and storm, and thus with the mere shows of things to satisfy the mind.

The third relation to the material world, is the Hygienic. In some curious tables prepared by Mr. Madden, of England, we have presented to us the average longevity of intellectual men, from which table it appears that natural philosophers, as a class, are the healthiest and longest lived. And, indeed, how could it be otherwise? The great processes of Nature are going on in the pure air-in the early morning-by healthful streams and upon the tops of steep mountains, whose ascent makes the pulse lively and the sinew strong. Not the least of the uses of botany, mineralogy and kindred sciences, is that their cultivation involves long rambles--oft repeated till the cheek of the student catches its tint from the rose, and the limb its hardihood from the rocks. If we add to this that peacefulness of mind which the study of the natural world superinduces, and which is essential to full bodily vigor, we shall see still more clearly the hygienic relation between man and the material world. The fourth is the mechanical relation. It is very interesting to notice how much nature has suggested to invention. The art of designing obtains its finest patterns from flowers and crystals. It was by observing the operation of the law of gravitation, that Galileo conceived the idea of the pendulum. The strength of hollow iron columns was suggested by the osseous structure of birds. Long before the first galley tempted the Mediterranean, the Nautilus unfurled its tiny sail. Ages before music became a science, the cuckoo sang in B flat. Ages before the Gothic Cathedral had lifted up its sky of stone, the arch had been used in the structure of the human body; and ages before the fashioning of the first Corinthian column, the acanthus leaves had wreathed with beauty the projecting rocks of Greece.

The last relation which we shall mention, is the spiritual. Nations, ancient and modern, have found in the material world a symbol and shrine of the ideal--the divine. With sincere, though imperfect faith, the old Greek heard the awful voice of Jove in the pealing thunder. The sea, in calm or storm, was the pathway of the golden chariot of

Poseidon. The more terrible forces of nature, the volcano and the earthquake, told him of the struggles of tortured giants, of Titanic strength and stature, whose doom reserved them to more wrath—

"To waste eternal days in woe and pain

Who durst defy the Omnipotent to arms."

And thus to the warrior nerved or rescued by the descent of an immortal—to the mariner as he watched the Egean for the tokens of the seagod's coming to the hunter as he outran the Oreads on the Boeotian hills, and to the maiden blushing to catch the thievish glance of Pan; every grove and fountain, and wave and star, was instinct with viewless but immortal life, and the whole land of Greece was a Pantheon sanctified by the presence of tutelary genii and ancestral Gods. The simple belief of the ancients lives only in their poetry. But there is a faith based upon the evidences of the material world, which is strengthened by every accession to human knowledge, and which has led both the man of science and the poet to join in the acknowledgment of a beneficent and omnipotent first cause. If, as related in the touching story of Picciola, the contemplation of a little flower which blossomed in the court-yard of his dungeon, made the Italian captive forget his skepticism, and bow with reverence before a universal God, what wonder that Linnæus, after following the footsteps of the Creator among ninety thousand sorts of plants and mosses, cried out in adoring wonder, "Dominum, Dominum, post tergum vidi—vidi et obstupui?" The geologist, as he delves among primeval strata, and with the enthusiasm of Old Mortality is deciphering the tomb-stones of primeval generations, is led to think upon the Rock of Ages. And the astronomer, as he looks upon the secrets of the heavenly bodies, is guided to their Maker like the wise men of old, who saw his star in the East and went to worship him. And so, too, the poet, as he surveys phenomenal nature and gathers his imagery from mountain and valley, from spring time and harvest, from the black arch of night and the radiant glow of dawn, learns to link the finite with the infinite, and the beautiful with the only good and true, until, like Tennyson, he exclaims that

Every cloud which floats above

And veileth love-itself is Love,

until with the bard of the seasons he bursts forth, "The rolling year is full of Thee!" until he joins voices with Milton's morning hymn, and hears with the fine ear of Coleridge, as he listens in the gorge of Chamouni, how "Earth with her thousand voices calls on God."

J. M. H.

De Manners of Ye Schollars.

AMONG the earliest "scholars" at this College, was one especially noted for a peering, curious disposition, which led him to observe and chronicle faithfully the characteristics of student-life as it was nearly one hundred and fifty years ago. His observations have come down to us, recorded in quaint phraseology and somewhat obscured by an orthography now obsolete, but still possessed of great interest and value. I have read his records of "ye olden time," and was greatly edified thereby. So well was I pleased with this person-so sensible did I think his comments upon the affairs of his own day, that a strong desire came upon me to learn what he would say of the manners and customs among us. I therefore ventured to evoke the spirit of this "worshipful gentleman," and beg leave to submit the following extracts from the diary in which he recorded his daily experience. I omit the first few pages of that interesting book, because they consist chiefly of exclamation points of wonder at the changes which have taken place during the past century and a half.

W. C. C.

(Monday, January 19th, 1857.)

To-Night to the Chapel-House to see the Scholars at their Devotions. Did sit me near the head of the House, for that I might have a goodlier Sight of the Minister; and waited an unseemly Time for the Exercise to begin, which I did think it never would. When the Bell had stopped, did hear a mighty Uproar behind my Back which did exercise me grievously lest the cruel Savages had burst into the Town. How it did shame me for my Simpleness, to find it only the Scholars coming to Prayers.

Some in brave Attire to my Pew, and to see how they did stare as to a Show, entertaining themselves thereat more than me. Then choosing to sit with me, and I not wishing it for that the Pew its length did not contain with Ease so many as 5. Did relish the Service greatly but could not adventure to close my Eyes the notion of Savages still pestering, and I not able to think me among Christian Gentlemen for the Noise. I do hear of more Quiet at Morning Prayers, where many read Books to keep them Still. Prayers done, the Scholars did rise to depart, and I too, curious to see the last. Good lack! Only to hear the Clamor some did make! One said, "a Rush," whereupon many gat to stand upon the Pews, clapping hands like as if uproarious through

Drink. Did get me on a Pew also to see the Reason of this novel Din. A mighty pretty Sport, the like whereof I have not beheld, save at the setting on of Dogs. Some at one end of the House, striving to depart and some about the Door (which he called "Freshmen,") striving to restrain the same with great Adventure of Precious Bones. Did hear many cry "Go in !" which I do think of small weight, seeing most only strove the greater to go out. Then to see one possessed of a rare Ability of Persuasion showing them how to come at the Door, which they did do with a sudden Quietness that refreshed me. Strife done, the Quarrelers did march out, looking for all the World as if they had been about a big Matter, to the which a sensible Conclusion had been put. I do believe me too dull to see the whole Goodness of the thing, but make no Question that it be a wholesome Diversion. So away in a fine Humor to take a pull at some of Pond his Wares.

(Wednesday, January 21st, 1857.) To-Night to an Orators Society their Hall to see a Prize-Debate. Thereat a goodly Multitude all to hear the Speeches, which I do hear be mighty fine on occasion. Found me a Seat with much ado, mong a parcel of paltry Jackanapes, and they winking and bandying Jokes about me, as though I came for their Sport and not my own. Bethought me to look abroad upon the Company, which did make a brave Show, so many disporting smart Raiment, having their Hair smoothed and curiously separated in two parts clean over their Heads, which I do love to gaze at for its Prettiness. Saw Three of sober Age and serious Demeanor setting apart from the Rest, and it did sorely trouble me to know what might be their Business. Then to see how they did seem amazing like Patience his Image as Will Shakspere the Play Maker hath it, though not seated on a Monument but the rather as if they would soon lie under the Same, did not their Case mend. Bethought me they had done some Crime to be so hampered behind a Table to binder Escape, and then to have the Speakers talk hard to them with Wry Faces, and direful Shaking of Fists, as though desiring to come at them with Bloody Intent. However the Three did look sheepish and sorrowful enough to melt a Stone for Pity.

Casting about, did observe one fasten the Door at the starting of every Discourse which I did think a mighty wise Thing, for that it waxing long and the Logic of it subtle, many seemed convinced and would fain be gone even before the end-a great cause of Perturbation to the Speaker. The Discourse done, the Door opened and much stamping of