the pride and self-complacency of the other. They are moulding the feelings of the community into a common form, and insensibly removing asperities of temper which might not yield to the direct power of truth. The particulars they contain may be soon forgotten, but they leave a swell on the memory, which does not so readily subside. The temporary exercise they afford to the feelings, if not abused, seems to us not unfavourable to their healthy development. Little girls must have their dolls, and little boys their riding sticks.

It may appear strange that an age distinguished beyond all others for its strict adherence to facts in scientific researches, should likewise be remarkable for such an exuberance of works of fiction. But it appears to us that they are the product of the same soil. The multitude of novels of the present day, could not have been produced in an age less scientific; and were it possible, it would have been followed by the most disastrous consequences. As it is, there are undoubtedly weak minds among both sexes which are removed from their proper balance, and suspended, as it were, midway between earth and heaven, at once deprived of the sober realities of this world, and of the pleasure they might derive from the creations of the imagination, did they not mistake the picture for the object that is painted. But there is fortunately for the most part a string to the kite, and the buoyant flights of fancy acknowledge a centripetal power in the unyielding, unchangeable character of scientific knowledge. The only rational pleasure connected with the perusal of works of fiction is never unattended with the perception that they are such. The closer the resemblance to nature the better. We may sometimes almost lose ourselves as when gazing on a beautiful picture; but those who cannot distinguish painted fruit from real, by the sight, the touch or the taste, may learn their mistake to their sorrow when they have swallowed it. Those who so far mistake the character of novels, as to use them as something real and substantial in themselves, will shortly find them as unsatisfactory as those realities from which they are endeavouring to fly. It is necessary not only that we feel that they are natural, but that they are only a resemblance of nature, and not only that they resemble nature but to witness the art by which this resemblance is produced. Have but a real mirror, and the magic of a mirror dance is ended.

For ourselves, we regard the use of novels as purely medicinal. When fatigued or perplexed with business or study, or

wearied by passions which yield only by little and little to the power of higher principles, we are sometimes disposed to fly from ourselves, they help us to do it. The names and the contents are at once forgotten; but if they are what they should be, they refresh and invigorate the mind like sleep. It is necessary for us to use them sparingly, and not to forget the purpose for which they are used. There is such a thing as being a drunkard in mind as well as in body, and he that makes that in spirit his meat and drink, which is good and safe only as an occasional stimulus, is in the way to destroy his power of discriminating between good and evil, truth and falsehood, and to bring disease and death into his soul.

It is by no means the design of these remarks to speak in terms of unqualified approbation of any of our novels. As they are made to please the taste of the day, they yield readily to its corruptions. There is much that is depraved and affected in the existing state of society, and those who write to please. people as they are, must not hold a glass before them, which will make them blush at their own deformities. But we trust that the fountain-head of literature may yet be opened. Protestanism has been gaining ground, but religion has continued a recluse. She has long enough stood aloof both from science and literature. It remains for her to enter into them not with a sad countenance, but with childlike innocence chastening and purifying; and to receive from them a tithe in return. Then shall we delight to behold all things, in their proper places and true relations; both the trees which are laden with fruit, and the flowers which cheer us with their beauty and fragrance, and send us rich presents by the little bee that visits their secret chambers.

INTELLIGENCE.

Model Infant School.

Ar a meeting of citizens, held on Wednesday afternoon, September 23, 1829, at the school room, No. 229 Arch street: Robert Ralston, Esq. was called to the chair; and Joseph R. Chandler, appointed secretary.

The Rev. Mr Carll, stated the object of the meeting to be the formation of a society for the purpose of establishing, in this city, a Model Infant School,' to prepare teachers for the many schools of that kind already in existence, and which, when suitable instructers shall be supplied, will undoubtedly rise up in every town and district in the Union. After a statement of the very great benefits which had attended the labours of individuals and the public in the good cause, in various places; and, after several resolutions, expressive of the hearty concurrence of the meeting in the plan proposed; it was

Resolved, that a committee be appointed to draft a circular, recommending the establishment of these schools in every town and district throughout our State and country; and also, an invitation to cooperate in the establishment of a Model School; which committee, when appointed, shall receive any communication relative to the interest of the society.

The committee consists of Rev. M. Carll; J. R. Chandler, and Rev. R. W. Cushman.

J. R. CHANDLER, Secretary.

ROBERT RALSTON, Chairman.

CIRCULAR.

To the Friends of Infant Schools throughout the United States:Friends and Fellow Citizens, Two years have now elapsed since those excellent institutions, called Infant Schools, were introduced into these United States. Of their vast importance, in a civil, moral, and religious point of view; of the practicability of interesting the infant mind, by addressing the faculty of sensation; giving the thinking principle a proper direction, and thus laying the basis of future intellectual energy, there no longer remains a doubt. Actual experiment has established the fact.

In a document of this nature, we cannot pretend to enlarge upon their incalculable benefits: suffice it to say, that whether viewed in relation to the welfare of the rising generation; as a matter of economy and actual saving to the State; to the perpetuity of our political existence; or the present and future happiness of our fellow men; they present to the consideration of the patriot and philanthropist claims of no ordinary character.

Did we stand in need of arguments to convince us of their utility, what better can be offered than the favourable manner in which they have been received by the public? Already we find them introduced into all our principal cities and towns in the Atlantic States. In Philadelphia alone, there are nine, containing, in the aggregate, from fif

teen to eighteen hundred children, rescued from the contagion of wickedness, and their footsteps directed into the paths of virtue.* Not only are these little innocents snatched from the scenes of disorder which the streets and alleys of a populous city exhibit, but the manner in which they are prepared, after passing through this early course of instruction, to enter our free schools, sabbath schools, and other institutions of learning, furnishes another consideration, which will not be overlooked by the philanthropist.

These schools are probably destined to exert a powerful influence on the entire system of education: they will urge forward those who are now in advance; new modes of instruction will be introduced; new illustrations of science, and a superior discipline will obtain, grounded in the la'v of mutual kindness.

Even now, a plan of instruction is called for, founded upon the constitution of the mind, a better knowledge of the faculties composing it, the order in which these faculties exist, and the discipline best adapted for their exercise and gradual development. Regarding the senses as the inlets to the mind, we must coinmence with sensation, observation, and reflection, thus forming the basis of thought; and introducing those elements, out of which, by means of reflection, comparison, discrimination, and association, the higher faculties of memory, judgment, reason, intellect, and, in short, the moral and religious sentiments are formed, by which the passions and propensities of our animal nature are to be controlled.

Such being the important consequences resulting from these institutions, it is obvious that they call for a well digested system, and facilities of acquiring a knowledge of the mode of instruction, of which they are at present destitute.

The friends of Infant Schools are, therefore, most earnestly solicited to cooperate with the society now formed, for the purpose of establishing a Model School, with a view of perfecting the system, and of affording opportunities for training up persons to take upon themselves a charge so interesting.

In addition to the benefits above alluded to, immediate steps will be taken to introduce all existing improvements and facilities of imparting instruction which have the sanction of experience, both in Europe and in our country. No idea or impression, of a physical nature, will be considered as permanently fixed in the mind, until it has been submitted to the observation and scrutiny of the senses; we shall therefore draw largely from the stores of nature, and much pains will be taken to provide a suitable apparatus. A correspondence has already been opened with the Infant School Society of London; the fruits of their experience will be received and promptly transmitted to the establishments throughout our own country.

It is hoped that a united effort will now be made by the Christian philanthrophist to lay a foundation, that shall be an honour to the age in which we live, and an imperishable monument of glory to our country.

It is intended, that any community or individual subscribing a moderate sum towards the support of this Model School, shall be entitled to send one or more persons to acquire a knowledge of the system.

*An equal number waiting to be received,

So soon as the funds will permit, this school will go into operation. In the mean time, any communications (post paid) addressed to either of the subscribers, composing the committee on behalf of the society, will receive due attention.

October 1st, 1829.

M. M. CARLL,
Jos. R. CHANDLER.
ROBT. W. CUSHMAN.

University of London.

NOTICE OF THE COURSES OF LECTURES

During the Session 1829-1830.

THE division of the Classes and the method of instruction originally adopted have been carried into effect without any important alteration, and they have been found to answer so well that no change is contemplated. The hours at which some of the Classes meet have been altered; and in those for the modern languages, the Students are to be divided into Senior and Junior Classes.

The Session of the University commences on the 1st of October, and terminates on the 15th of July.

The following Classes will open on Monday the 1st of November, and will continue till the middle of July, with no other interruption than a recess of about ten days at Christmas and at Easter.

The Latin and Greek Lanugages, Literature, and Antiquities.

The English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish Languages and Literature.

The Hebrew, Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, and Hindoostanee Languages and Literature.

Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, and Zoology.

Jurisprudence and English Law. These Classes, however, will be suspended during the Spring Circuit and Quarter Sessions.

The Class of Political Economy commences on the 1st of February, and continues to the end of the Session.

The following MEDICAL CLASSES will open on Thursday the 1st of October, with the exceptions afterwards stated, and will continue to the middle of May, without any interruption except for a few days at Christmas and Easter.

Anatomy, Physiology, Comparative Anatomy, Surgery, Clinical Surgery, Nature and Treatment of Diseases. Clinical Medicine, Midwifery and Diseases of Women and Children, Materia Medica and Therapeutics, Chemistry, Medical Jurisprudence, and Dissections and Demonstrations.

The Class of Botany will open on the 1st of April and continue for three months.

The plan of the University includes the following branches, for which Professors have not yet been appointed: Logic, and the Philosophy of the Human Mind; Moral and Political Philosophy; History, Ancient and Modern; Roman Law; Mineralogy and Geology.

Students are to enter their names previously to the commencement of the Classes, and all fees are to be paid at the office of the University. Students nominated by a Proprietor must bring a written nomination, but no particular form is necessary. Those who during the last Session were nominees or Proprietors are not required to renew their nomination.

Students are at liberty to select the Classes that they wish to attend; but the Courses recommended to those who are beginning their academical general education, are, Latin, Greek, Mathematics, and English. The hours are so arranged that the Classes for the English, French, or German lan