Year: 1859

In this world there are two lines of knowledge,
two trains of thought the mind can follow, two
roads on which the inquirer can trayel-the posi-
tive and the speculative. Although they both
start from the same point, yet, like the bounda-
rles OF an angle, they continually diverge and lead


In very opposite directions, to very different re-
suits. The starting point may be said to be, the
God-implanted spirit of inquiry, and the results
are, respectively, firm, unshaken truth and doubt
tul wayering error These are the extremes the
happy medium lies in the dissection of the angle,
hard fact enjoyed in conjunction with regulated
imagination. On this line lies what we call the
poetry of science, the dignity of labor, and the
majesty of toll To illustrate:


The strata which is below the coal beds was
particularly adapted for the growth of certain
kinds OF plants, which, when they decayed or were
imbedded, by slow decomposition have formed coal
This is the simple fact. But geology poet-Hugh
Mller-has brought the very scene before our
eyes, has made US actors in the very epoch, and
while scientifically accurate, has placed halo of
romance around this operation of nature. He
blended actual fact and vivid imagination, al
ways (as he should) making the latter subseryient
to the formor.


Again, we talk of the dignity of labor, and the
majesty of toll. Which of US, while at our avo-
cation, whether of brain or hand, think, at the
time the mental energy or physical strength is in
use, that it is anything but work work the ne
cesslty, not the pleasure. But when the book is
written, the money made, the end accomplished,
the railroad built, the machine erected or the
land titled, and we see the results of our work
and exertion. in the period of recuperation, it
is then that we feel that are dignifed, are
majestic, and we feel grateful to the toll and labor
which has made US so.


To moralize No man should learn hard facts
alone, let him acquire those which especially ap-
pertain to his business, and the comforts and af-
tections of home, or the excitement of travel will
balance these but should he from inclination or
ambition strive to acquire more, in order to keep
on the line that bsects the angle, he must esthe-
else his knowledge, that is to say, he must find
poetry in the facts and a broad meaning for the
worlds good, in the phenomena. There must be
tendency to ponder and moralize. as well as to
investigate, and the results of his mOralizng must
be based on perfect knowledge of the premises
The want of this has caused the many errors of
the day; the desire to strike out something new
to be Original-being strong in man. The most
original thinkers have been the most surprised at
their own thoughts. With tyros (for whom we
now especially write) this is Il common fault.
Learn well, first as a study then speculate, as a
recreation; and " isms in knowledge will cease
and wither before the overwhelming tide of COM
mon sense.


These may be called platitudes, but it is neces-
sary now and then to reiterate them in order to
regulate the Investigations and thoughts of the
day. Everyone will not take the trouble to read
large books on the discipline of the mind, and a
few remarks thereon often useful to such think
ing men as form the readers Of the journals and
periodicals of the day.