The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1857-07-30

Ole dltncuiues- Notwithstanding N lis con-
seious superiority, lie found himself naked
and defenceless, while the brute possessed
the natural means for sefpreseIvation. The
vegetable world offered its, countless varie-
ties for his stistenance, but he soon learned
that the noxious qualities of many were fss
tai to his existence. Ifhe attempted to pass
beyond the boundaries by which he was
circumscrbed, impenetrable forests, arid
plains, and immense wastes of water COM
pletely barred his progress and bafiled all
his efforts to overcome them. Thus, by
stern experience, he soon learned that he
was not to be the passive recipient of
natures gifts, bat only by severe and pro,
tracted struggle would all things yield to
his domination
In the primitive ages of tie world, such
must have been the condition Of man.
Self-preservation first awakened him to ener.
gy and action; love of power, and pride in
overcoming obstacles, urged him on to high
er and grander achievements. Gradually
the massive barriers, which at first hopeless
ly Imprisoned him, yielded to his vigorous
assaults, disclosing broader fields for his oc
cupation and improvement. Nature, also
suggested many valuable hint, by whose
guidance he rapidly progressed. The tiny
leaf as it lightly danced upon the merry
brook, or foated on the bosom of the tran
gull lake, suggested to him the first idea of
navigation, and soon the rude canoe, the
simple embodiment of that idea, bore him
rejoicing over the bounding waters. 1t was
simple and imperfect achievement, it is
true, but yet mighty have been the results.
1t laid the basis for an important and inyal.
liable art, TO which every successive age
has added something for its advancement
and perfection. The rude canoe has given
place to the magnificent ships and steam
boats, aud the timid gallcys of former times
have been succeeded by proud fleets and
na'les. The winds have been taught to
perform the lahors OF tie wcaried oalsmau.
The magnet has been awakened from his
iron couch and stationed at the helm to pi
lot the mariner over the trackless ocean.
The sun and stars tell him his latitude and
longitude, and guide him with unerring GER
tainty to the desired haven. Civilization
has, in this art, found its boldest champion
Commerce has, by its reciprocal advanta-
ges, established the most amicablc relations
between nations formerly hostile and bellig
erent. By its agency. not only the produc
tions and manufactures of different nations,
but, also, their inventions and discoveries in
the arts and sciences; ave borne from. land TO
land, contributing alike to the happiness
and wisdom Of mankind. If the light of
education is ever to dawn upon heather
lands il fidolatry is ever TO yield to "the
mild sceptre of the Prince of Peace; :" if
knowledge is ever to cover the earth as the
waters cover the deep, the mighty work
must be consummated through the medium
of commercial intercourse
The science Of astronomy deserves TO he
ranked among lire first and greatest Of hu.
man achievements, not only from its great
antiquity, but also for having played so i'm
porant a part in the complicated drama of
human progress and civilization. From its
very nature, it must have early engaged the
attention of the ancients The celestial
Ndult, ilChIl BetntHeu Will It's nvflauS OI
sparkling worlds, must have attracted the
attention and elected the admiration of the
most untutored mind Independent of the
interest with which science has invested it.,
it must have ever been regarded as the soul.
the embodiment of the sublime nd beauti.
full, the design of a wise and glorious Archi-
tect. ...-...... ..s...... .r.a.ss -
The sun rolling on its course with smajes-
tic splendor, dispensing light and glalness
on the world below, aud the moon, iluinin-
ing the night with her pure and silvery ra
dance, must have awakened emotions of
gratitude and praise. Man could not gaze
upon this grand display Of creative wisdom
and goodness with cold indifference. A
rude system Of astronomy was earlyplanned,
which, however imperfect or removed from
the true, e!icits, at least, our warmest admi.
ration. The planets were honored with the
names Of fworite deities, while the starry
realms were petitioned off into empires and
kingdoms, to be placed beneath the,sway of
departed heroes, who had inmortalized
themselves in the wars or councils of their
country, a striking proof Of the profound
reverence entertained by the apcients for
tiis interesting science. Successive genera
tons have enriched il with their discoveries,
and shorn IL Of the superstiGous errors with
which an Ignorant age encountered it,
Erotfl numerous CON fttino th hanriaa tba a tr.,a