Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-09-20

employs it, his thoughts and convictions
NAY be adequately set forth. The charac
ter Of Sir Philip Sidney, by G. p. Marsh,
was a spirited delinea,ion, by an cn,husras
, odmrrr of The virtues, talents and &C.
qnircmcnis Of The gallan, and accom- pished
soldier and scholat--the paramount gen
tleman Of his tune.
TO the exposition by Mr.. Robertson, Of
Plato's idea ofa state a. an organic system,
was generally given, and with special adm.
ration by the statesman present, the praise
of high ability, evnciug much political
knowledge and segac,y. Or the two OPP
posing schemes Of Machinvel and Monies
qniou, the error involved in each was puin-
ted out, and it's disastrous practical results
exposed, while it was shown that in Plato's
idea the two views were happily combined
the first Of which, by too exclusive re.
gard for the state, derogatcs from the
| justice due 10 indiUiduais, aud would sacri.
flee their rights in order to advance the
good of the imaginary all, the second so
cares for the well being Of individuals, as
10 make the happiness or pleasuroble state
Of the members Of the body polite the one
absolute criterion OF the character Of any
proposed political measure or principle.
Some of the most mcrliorous perform
anCes Of this occasion. yet remaining un
noticed by me, am obliged to pass over,
Mr. Grcgory's, however. was very able and
| its sentiments worthy of being dlssemna
ted and acted upon: that the people know
ing what are the true ends Of government
may show their appreciation Of them in
endcavors to secure for themselves and
their posieri'v true intellectual and spirit
ual elevation through the Influence Of ca
larged moral culture. 70 Tie same eff" CT
in part, was the enforcement, by MI For.
syth Of the necessity or Intellectual Meth
cd ms constituting the distinguishing pow.
cr Of great minds and the source OF high
elfnris. Nj Piorson in speaking on the
relation Of Philosophical studies to the
duties of public life, paccd in n clear llgh,
the necessity Of the s'a'cman's acting il
distinct reference to ultimate princ pies
and being able to trace TO them his opln
ions and plans, and exposed the vacil,o!ion
iimidiiy and disaster, produced by the want
of this power; power which the speaker
admitted to be gained not always from
books, 6u, at times amid the din Of busy
life, If that life be one OF r, tlect,ve ac, ion
The concluding oraiion,h nv Il. II. Dana, o
Boston, on the Poetry Of Common life, wa:
certainly ornate and polished IN high de.
gree-humOroUs in its sarcasm of Of
elegance ana fcllcltousness in its finishing
not ',oined. perhaps by any of his compeers
But though thus admirable in manner and
style, am told that in fofvnr Of senimen
and reach Of thought. something more was
expected from him. !, for one, was wei
pleased. and The grocefnl e'ocniion of Nj
D, allowed few TO remaia fault finders.
In all these productions, one genera
characteristic was highly pleasing; lho
while The mighty Past was rightly estima
ted and honored, there was q hearty sym
pa,hy with the present, no qnarreiing will
ito limid and coward'y depreciation O
that spirit which some dre1d and malign
because they d. not chnose to take tht
pains to nves'jgate, 10 understand and al?
preciatc.
May our northern youth avail 'hemseve
OF the opportunity which lbs Universi'.
Offers for the attainment Of that true dlsc'
pine for the heart aud life. that mon)y aut
pracIical philosophy, which It's studies af
ford and secure, as OF highest momen
above oil other rcqnsIi ions, how valuab'
soever, that kn0wicge which will eud
them TO hrir duty, aud present the motive
which should induce them to its perform
ancc. II Y. S.