PROGRESS OF CIVILIZATION. - NORTHERN LIGHT. 1. Thebes and Carthage,† the rich capitals of once powerful empires, whose splendor and magnificence was the admiration of the world, are now no more. The pyramids of Egypt, the ruins of Thebes, the temples of Central America, are all mementos of the power and grandeur of races long since extinguished. They reared monuments, which, in their vain imaginations they believed would endure through time, and inscribed thereon the record of deeds they supposed would be remembered forever; but their posterity, for whose wonder and admiration they were erected, are unmindful of their renown, and ignorant of their achievements. History is unaware of their existence; by the world they are forgotten; and they are rescued only from total oblivion by the researches of the antiquary. 2. At this time, the race to which we belong was ignorant, degraded, and despised. We can look back and see our fathers worshiping the sun, and offering human beings upon the altar, as a propitiation to the gods. Even then, in some countries, were the blessings of civilization diffused, the arts flourishing, and man refined and elevated. But now how changed! Darkness covers those lands, and thick darkness, the people. Rudeness and ignorance have usurped the place of polished refinement; and the descendants of the wise and virtuous have sunk perhaps to rise no more. 3. History informs us that the Assyrians, § Persians, || Thebes, a city of ancient Egypt, on the Nile, noted for its splendid ruins. + Carthage. See note, p. 279. Egypt, a country in the north-east part of Africa, the cradle of the arts and sciences. As-syr ́i-ans, people of Assyria, an ancient kingdom of Asia, once of great renown. Per ́sians, inhabitants of Persia, a country in the western part of Asia; the second universal empire of the world. Phoenicians, and others, had acquired, at a very remote period, many of the arts pertaining to civilization, and were, in every thing that tends to the promotion of good order and the elevation of mankind, immensely in advance of the western nations at that time. It is true they were continually at war with the neighboring states; but then civilization was in its first dawn; they were destitute of the experience we possess, and enjoyed not the light which beams upon us. 4. This sun, at length, in its onward course, sheds its invigorating rays upon the country of Greece. It passed along, increasing continually in power and brilliancy, until upon its arrival at Rome, it had reached its meridian. Its powerful rays now diverged in every direction, filling the then known world with light, and lending its kindly influence to every individual. 5. Of all the races of men, ours was the last to feel the grateful effects of civilization. While others were enjoying its favors, we knew not of it. We had never heard its name, or tasted its magic charms. But now we are elevated, and they depressed; we have become polished, and they turned barbarians. The Asiatic can no longer look with proud disdain upon his fellow men, for he has lost his former influence, power, and authority, and has become weak, effeminate, and contemptible. The Egyptian cannot now regard himself with his former complacency, for he and all his race have become, like the camel of his desert, mere beasts of burden, the hewers of wood and drawers of water. - 6. It is a matter of thankfulness, then, to live at an age of the world, when we can enjoy the benefit of others' experience without incurring their misfortunes; and to form a part of that society, the furthest in advance, and under the most complete influence of civilization. 7. The man of expanded intellect, of cultivated mind, Pho-ni'cians. See note, p. 898. need never look abroad for society, for he can never be alone. Earth, air, and sea, all speak to him in living tongues; every object in nature becomes vocal, the most stupendous and most minute,—all fill him with wonder and admiration. Earth becomes to him a living being. He studies its nature, its form, its motion, and tries to discover if it too must die. Air, with its myriads of animalculæ which come into the world, grow old and die, all in the same instant, the ocean, with its majesty and power, with its vast expanse and unknown depths, are all subjects to him of the most delightful contemplation, sources of the richest and liveliest joy. 8. The spirits of the venerable dead, too, all bear him company; they are the companions of his morning walks, and in the evening, at his bedside. Then, in the stillness and darkness of the night, leaning upon his couch, and whispering in his ear, they tell him of the mighty work of the world's creation, and of the gigantic power which shall effect its dissolution. LESSON XCI. MIDNIGHT MEDITATION. W. T. BACON. 1. Silence and night! It is the time for thought; And the lone dreamer sends his weary eye 2. Out from the casement, up to the dim stars, Those sparkling fires in that eternal void! And yet how fancy dreams Of those bright worlds! Tell us, ye unseen powers, 3. 4. When the impassioned world lies locked in sleep, What are those rolling worlds! Are there bright scenes, Such as we dream of here? Are there fair realms, Turrets, and towers, and temples, - dwell these there, Wilderness and wild, Heaving and rolling their green tops, and ringing Singing of happiness, have they these there? Spread such bright plains there to the admiring eye, Gather like seas, and heave their waves about, And tell us, do those worlds And suns, and showers, and soothing fragrance sent do these sweet days come there, 5. Wreathing the wilderness with such gay bands And have ye minds, Grasping and great like ours? and reaching souls, The track of angels! Vain thought, to fold back On to those realms of glory! — Mighty One! Thou who hast power o'er all! thou hast alone, LESSON XCII. AN ADDRESS AT THE LAYING OF THE CORNER-STONE OF BUNKER HILL MONUMENT. - -WEBSTER. 1. The great event in the history of the continent, which we are now met here to commemorate, that prodigy of Bunker Hill Mon'u-ment, a monument in Charlestown, Mass., erected to the memory of those who fell in the battle of Bunker Hill. June 17, 1775. It is made of granite, and is 220 feet high, and 30 feet square at the base. |