.the repeating of half a score of meanings as obscure perhaps as the word itself-conveys no definite thought, and serves rather to darken, than illuminate the mind.

As a book of reference, a dictionary is useful; although, it must be confessed, that even with the best, one often finds himself obliged to make his own explanation, in preference to any furnished by the lexicographer: and the teacher or the pupil who relies exclusively on his dictionary-without the exercise of much discretion-for the definition of whatever words he may find in the course of his studies, will not unfrequently fall into very awkward and absurd mistakes.

Experience and common sense must lend their aid; the former to teach us what is practicable; and the latter, what is appropriate and useful. And the teacher who has the improvement of his pupils and the great interests of education generally, at heart, will not content himself with what he has already attained, but be perpetually striving to add to his stock -by however small degrees, and in however insignificant departments-whatever may make him more accomplished in his profession, and consequently, more worthy of the charge entrusted to him.

MR CLEAVELAND'S LECTURE.

LECTURE V.

ON

LYCEUMS AND SOCIETIES

FOR THE

DIFFUSION OF USEFUL KNOWLEDGE.

BY NEHEMIAH CLEAVELAND,

PRECEPTOR OF DUMMER ACADEMY, NEWBURY, MASS.

AMONG the schemes of an age fertile in expedients, one of the most recent and striking, is the establishment of societies to promote the general diffusion of useful learning. In the old world, the experiment was not only novel, but bold-evincing in its projectors no small share of moral courage, as well as active benevolence. With us the case is widely different. Rarely, in this country, and in a degree comparatively small, are the advocates of popular education called to contend with that aristocratic pride, or those long-established prejudices, which impede the efforts of its friends abroad. Neither is the task to be accomplished by us, of equal magnitude with theirs. Much has already been done to prepare the way. We have not that Augæan mass of superstition and folly to remove, beforean entrance can be effected, or a proper foundation laid. No project, perhaps, could meet and gratify public sentiment among us, more fully than this-of promoting by social ef fort the mental improvement of the community, down to the humblest of its classes. It is, in fact, but the expansion-the