many centuries back, came our philosophical Poet to trumpet forth the truth that "Knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven." Meanwhile millions of human beings have been born and died, who have hugged their own modicum of knowledge to their hearts as the greatest treasure the Deity blessed them with: yet now, even now, in the most civilized country on the face of the globe, "the envy of surrounding nations," is this divine blessing cruelly monopolized by the few, and the masses of our brethren kept in a state of deplorable ignorance; whilst some godly men are squabbling about whether certain formulæ or catechisms should not be forced upon the embryo aspirants after knowledge! Shame! shame! Terrible indeed is the responsibility resting somewhere-and prompt should be the endeavours of all well wishers to their race to shift it off their own shoulders! At this time of day, it would be superfluous to waste words on the inestimable happiness of knowledge. Man is immortal-knowledge is infinite, and therefore man's only satisfying enjoyment, (goodness of course excepted) for nothing finite can satisfy him, Goodness, then, being the one other grand enjoyment of his life, (and this involving love to his brethren) why does not he share his knowledge with his fellow-man? Let the friends of education be up and stirring their reward will arrive sooner or later. LABOUR. SOFTENED BY LOVE, Ferdinand. There be some sports are painful; but their labour Delight in them sets off: some kinds of baseness Are nobly undergone; and most poor matters Point to rich ends. This my mean task would be The mistress, which I serve, quickens what's dead, Tempest. Act iii. Scene 1. Julia. A true-devoted pilgrim is not weary Of such divine perfection. Two Gentlemen of Verona. Act ii. Scene 7. Macbeth. The labour we delight in physics pain. Macbeth. Act ii, Scene 3. LOVE. NOT TO BE REPULSED BY DISDAIN. Proteus. And, notwithstanding all her sudden quips, The least whereof would quell a lover's hope, Yet, spaniel-like,* the more she spurns my love, The more it grows, and fawneth on her still. Two Gentlemen of Verona. Act iv. Scene 2. Eglamour. ITS PUNCTUALITY. Lovers break not hours, Unless it be to come before their time; So much they spur their expedition. Ibid. Act v. Scene 1. The same comparison occurs in Midsummer Night's Dream. CANNOT BE CONCEALED. Olivia. A murd'rous guilt shows not itself more soon Than love that would seem hid: love's night is noon. Twelfth Night. Act iii Scene 1. ITS CHARACTERISTICS. Helena. Things base and vile, holding no quantity, Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind; Because in choice he is so oft beguiled. Midsummer Night's Dream. Acti Scene 1. Lysander. Ah me! for ought that ever I could read, Could ever hear, by tale or history, The course of true love never did run smooth: But either it was different in blood, Or else misgraffed in respect of years, Or else it stood upon the choice of friends; Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That, in a spleen, unfolds both heav'n and earth, Ibid. ITS POWERS. Biron. But love, first learned in a lady's eyes, But, with the motion of all elements, Still climbing trees in the Hesperides ? Subtle as Sphinx; as sweet and musical, As bright Apollo's lute, strung with his hair; Love's Labour's lost. Act iv. Scene 3. LOVE BLIND. Jessica. But love is blind; and lovers cannot see The pretty follies that themselves commit. Merchant of Venice. Act ii. Scene 6, |