born energy of character is most valuable in the formation of business habits. Still it needs to be developed. The literary labor is but a small part of the work of a large newspaper establishment. The same elements which constitute a successful merchant, are necessary for the full development of the editor; for the financial affairs of one are scarcely more complex than are those of the other. They certainly require as constant attention.

Again, an editor should cultivate a high tone of moral principle. Not only is he called upon to influence the minds of many different men, but he is himself at all times subject to constant temptations, to deviate from paths of rectitude. The circumstances in which he is placed, and the influence he is known to possess, subject him, if not to inward suggestions of evil, at least to extraneous solicitations from those who see his power. He has, therefore, the greatest need of strong moral principle.

But we may be more minute in specifying what acquisitions an editor has need of. He must hold the pen of a ready writer. Off hand, at a moment's notice, he must describe the passing event, detail the current talk, advocate such views as are immediately important, and criticise the words and actions of men in various spheres. A first-rate editor, at the head of a large establishment, supported though he be by the ablest assistants, must be able to fill such gaps as may occur in any department of his paper. He must not only be able to approve or reject the writings of his under-editors, he must not only be able to furnish à leader of striking character, or especial force, but he must be ready, if emergencies require, to fill with credit the reporter's desk, to arrange correctly the financial and commercial tables, and even to use the scissors with adroitness and effect. All kinds of writing he will need to employ, as much as to exhibit all kinds of information. He will need to make use of the descriptive, the explanatory, the argumentative style, and in all of them he should aim to be striking and attractive. Logic of the strongest kind, as well as the most brilliant wit and fancy, or the most cutting sarcasm, will all be brought in play. To the art of writing then, in its broadest and its highest sense, his studies should be directed. American editors, again, should be especially informed in historical and political philosophy. The nature of our government, the significance of our various independent constitutions, the expediency of particular phases of legislative policy, are in different forms continually discussed. To us as a country, everything is still new, constant changes in our foreign and domestic affairs

adapted to our The expediency reference to the

are suggested, and constant improvements, growing condition, are demanded in our laws. of these measures can only be decided by a philosophy of government, founded upon the facts which history teaches as the lessons of the past.

Again, we should say that an acquaintance with natural science would be most valuable to an editor, not only in enabling him to decide upon such questions in these departments as may be suggested to him, nor merely as furnishing him with an ample range of striking illustrations, but as giving him at this day, when in our land, at least, those branches of learning are receiving more and more strict attention, most favorable opportunities of influencing the minds of reading men in scientific matters, as he now is influential in moral and political questions. The people generally need to be informed of the value of scientific research, of its direct and indirect bearing upon every useful art, of the importance of its being encouraged in every appropriate way. Farmers need to learn the value of scientific agriculture, mechanics to be informed of the value of mathematical investigations, manufacturers of all kinds to be instructed in the relations of chemical analyses to their various operations, and merchants to be assured of the great commercial value of astronomical and meteorological research. The influential press may do a lasting service to mankind, by thus urging upon the masses of the people the advantages of abstract science, and by thus hastening to remove the barriers, already to some extent disappearing, which have always existed between the learned and unlearned.

As another department of study with which an editor can afford to become familiar, we mention the Modern languages. No matter how many are included in this general phrase, but German and French at least are indispensable. The annexation of Cuba has not yet added Spanish to the list. Not only are there among us a large number of foreigners, with whose views, as expressed in the journals of their own language, published in America, it is desirable to become acquainted, but our intercourse with different countries of Europe is now so constant and extended, that their politics are a constant matter of discussion here, their literature is already widely perused, and their instructions in various branches of science are very generally followed. An editor, therefore, to fulfill aright the duties of his post, will have abundant opportunities to employ with service, whatever knowledge of the modern languages he may be able to command.

Such we think are some of the natural qualifications, which

are needed in one who desires to become an influential editor of a daily periodical, and some of the points to which his education should be directed. We are aware that even with all these peculiarities and acquisitions, there is a possibility that he may not succeed. He will need to have well trained associates, on whom he can rely for frequent advice, for constant assistance, and for occasional relief. It will be enough for the responsible editor to guide the general course of his assistants; details he must commit to their own skill and accuracy. Large capital will be necessary to support the expenses of employing such associates, and to meet other constant and inevitable outlays. Moreover no one is fairly qualified to direct in full a modern newspaper, without having gained a practical familiarity with the duties of his post. Here as elsewhere he must work up, to the higher position by faithful attention to the duties of lower spheres. Experience will be a most excellent teacher.

Having thus sketched the various circumstances which make a first class editor, we cannot forbear to enumerate some of the inducements to the choice of this profession, and to special training for its duties, in the hope that a calling already so honorable, may be yet further elevated by the acquisition to its ranks of those who are especially qualified to perform its labors.

Rightly employed, it is a profession of great usefulness. The freedom with which it can speak, the attention which its opinions receive, the extent to which they are noticed, are elements of great power.

There is no subject, as we have already remarked, which is foreign to the newspaper. To many minds it conveys the first impression, often the source of lasting prejudice, upon important questions. Through its decided and repeated advocacy of some important measure many receive their only information as to the principles and the facts which bear upon the subject. Where other preachers appeal to select audiences, upon particular occasions, the daily editor in a thousand different tones is incessantly addressing an assembly which scarcely knows a limit. Let his preaching be sound and manly, let him fearlessly advocate the RIGHT, under whatever circumstances, and his usefulness will only be estimated, when the influence of daily sunshine is computed, or the value of the air we breathe. But we need not expatiate upon this point. Whatever eloquent language has been used in regard to the general power of the press, may be applied with special force to the daily papers of the present time. They have influence and power, which rightly directed, are instruments of the highest good.

Fame is another reward which follows, in our country, the successful editor. Whether it be or not an evil, the conductors of the press in this land are personally known to their readers. Their names are identified with their periodicals, and are used almost synonymously with them, and whatever character either one is supposed to have, is immediately attributed to the other. Their notoriety is coincident. Like a man and his shadow they are always united.

If we are not mistaken, the editorial profession are, in ordinary cases, by no means without their pecuniary rewards. The nature of their position is far more allied to that of commercial men, and is of course more open to the risk of profit and of loss, than are ordinary literary professions. But little prospect of pecuniary returns, has the ordinary critic, professor, scholar, and preacher. Still an editorial life is not without its drawbacks. There is no cessation to its duties. Day and night, summer and winter, news or no news, the paper must go forth. Moreover according to existing circumstances, each periodical must almost, as a matter of course, become identified with party claims, and often,-who can say how often?-the individual convictions of upright men are sacrificed to the incessant demands of political supporters. Often, aside from such claims, is an editor called upon to advocate, or at least is prevented from opposing, such projects as his own judgment would condemn. To meet the wants of all readers, and to make his paper a receptacle of news, in the widest sense of the word, he often feels bound to publish such particulars of crime and of depravity as offend the majority of his readers, and produce upon the public mind, an injurious familiarity with the particulars of vice. Even let an editor do his best, and pursue the most upright and independent course, he will have to be more or less associated with men with whom he cannot sympathize, and more than that, he can hardly hope to escape from making many enemies among both bad and good.

But we must bring these remarks to a close. The subject is one however which is worthy of far more extended consideration among young men who are choosing their professions than it has usually received. We do not advocate the importance of more papers, but we hope to see from time to time, more men especially trained for their positions in charge of such papers as already exist. We have seen many princes; who shall first become king? Who will first stand out a giant among editors as Jeffrey towered up among reviewers? We hope, ere long, to see the editorial profession considered in fact, if not in name,

as one of the learned professions, for which appropriate education is provided, as is already done for other departments of labor. We are aware, while it would be invidious to particularize, that there are men already in the field admirably qualified for the editorial duties in which they are engaged. We desire to see their number increased, so that there shall be a corps of scholars, not only in charge of daily newspapers, but directing the various weekly literary and religious papers, each of whom shall be fitted by his natural talents and his special education for the peculiar duties of his place, each qualified in his own sphere to write with accuracy and justice for the papers of today, what will soon be consulted as the history of the past. An editor's office in our day is like the ear of the Dyonisian palace, which caught the slightest whisperings from most distant places, and brought them to one spot; it needs to be supplied with the eyes of an Argus, to investigate the sources from which these rumors come, and the hands of a Briareus to make use of the facts, which it finds to be really true.

ART. V.-JOHN ADAMS' DIARY AND AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

The Works of John Adams, second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations, by his grandson, CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS. Vols. II and III. Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown. 1850.Diary with Passages from an Autobiography.

son.

:

THE Works of John Adams are now in course of publication, by an eminent Boston house, under the editorship of his grandThe whole undertaking includes a Life of John Adams, in one volume; a Diary, with passages from an Autobiography, in two volumes; and several volumes of his writings. Six goodly octavos elegantly printed on fine paper, with Portraits aud Facsimiles, have already appeared; and other volumes are yet to come. The first volume, which is to contain a Life of Mr. Adams, has not been published, and perhaps it will not be until all the other volumes have been given to the public. The second and third volumes include a Diary with Passages from an Autobiography, and several Essays, on the Canon and