tive business of life, and to enable him to un- beautiful as it is, must soon become a lifeless derstand his true destiny. And the body, as mass, and perish. well as the mind, requires attention. "A But mere philosophy, however sublimated sound mind in a sound body" is essential to or prevailing, is not the only, or the surest happiness, and to the utmost usefulness. Gym- safeguard of human liberty. Reason, the nastic, and other more scientific exercises of most unerring, is still frail and flitting and, unthe body, are conductive to grace as well as aided, is but the Eutopia of More, or the Ptato vigor and health; and are therefore useful tonopolis of Plotinus. This important truth is if not indispensable. We feel that we are in demonstrated by the history of the Pagan danger of degenerating;-active, industrious, and moral habits are too much neglected.

world. Social man needs a law immutablesome motive beyond the grave-a pure and fixed religious principle. This is his ANCHOR -sure and steadfast.

But the best interests of the commonwealth, no less than our own sacred duties, require that our daughters, as well as our sons, shall In its purity and simplicity-the Christian be well educated-instructed practically in all Religion is the friend and companion of civil the domestic duties, and instructed also in the liberty-its constant companion-its best friend elements of science. Woman's influence on It taught man his true dignity, and his true and the destiny of man is unsurpassed. She will equal rights. It elevated woman to her just ever be his good or his evil genius. The ob- rank in the scale of being; and, even amid the ject of his most tender relations-the first and perversions and prostitutions of a wild supermost impressive instructress of his children stition, it rescued literature and civilization -his confidant-his counsellor-the companfrom the ruins of a dark and desolating age. ion of his joys-the sharer of his woes- -WIFE It is not the metaphysical, or polemic theology -MOTHER-surely she should, by proper of the schools, nor the infallible "orthodoxy" culture, be well qualified, in every respect, to of sectarian bigotry, nor the false religion of dignify and adorn the important station to which Providence has exalted her sex.

persecution, nor the bloody religion, of Smithfield, and of the Inquisition-of which we speak; but it is that mild and pure, and holy religion, which rebukes intolerance, and dispels ignorance, and subdues vice-that heavenly religion which beams in the pious mother's eyes, and hallows the accents of the pious mother's lips-that religion which proclaims peace on earth, and good will to men, and inrifies the hearts and overcomes the world. spires that love to God and to man which pu

A well organized system of common schools, sustained by the public sentiment, is indie pensable to the greatest happiness and the highest glory of the Republic. The poor, as well as the rich, must be protected. All should be carefully instructed. Every child in the commonwealth is a child of the commonwealth and should be equally the cherished object of her guardian care. Here lies her strength It is the prevalence of this last and brightest here her liberty-here her true glory. Let hope of man that will establish his liberty on her rally all her moral energies, and blend all the rock of ages. And this it was, pure and her scattered rays; let not her neglect cause unconstrained as it came from Heaven, that one intellectual flower to "blush unseen, or the father of his country recommended to the waste its sweetness on the desert air"—and then, and not till then, she will have equality-then people of these United States, when, in his valedictory address, he conjured them, by all power-and then an unwritten law in the. hearts of her people, far more salutary and they held dear, not only to regard religion as the firmest prop of their liberty and happiness, but to treat, as a public enemy, him who should ever attempt to undermine, or to shake it.

effectual than all the sanctions of all her written codes.

man race.

In our own blessed America, the importance of diffusing truth cannot be exaggerated. Is Had not Washington, like Fabius, led our man capable of self-government? This prob- armies, and saved our country, and ther, like lem of ages is now, and perhaps for the first Cincinnatus, retired to his farm-had not his time, subjected to a fair test. Americans may influence-more than that of any other man, solve it for themselves, and for the whole hu- induced the adoption of the Federal ConstituAll has been done for us that the tion-had not his rare virtues, and the weight mere structure of government could have done of his character preserved that Constitution -all that the wisdom and example of our pa- in its infancy, and paralyzed the Briarian triarchs could do. But our institutions are monster that threatened its destruction-the yet in a state of eventful trial. They are but closing act of his public life--his farewell adthe anatomy of liberty-public sentiment is the dress to his countrymen, would alone have SOUL. The vitality as well as the longevity entitled him to an imperishable monument. of the yet living idol, depends on the purity Let those countrymen always revere his prinand intelligence of those who worship at her ciples, and follow his advice, and their libershrine. The virtue of our fathers imparted ties will last as long as their country shall be the Promethean spark, and the breath of their known as "the country of Washington." children must preserve, or extinguish the vestal flame which they kindled on our country's Young Gentlemen of Centre College, at altar. The vital air of liberty is pure intelli- whose request this address is attempted--may gence, as pervading as the sun. Without this I now be permitted, respectfully, to invite your vivifying element, the whole organic structure, attention to your own peculiar duties and pros

pects? Having engaged in the pursuit of rendered presumptuous by its achievements' knowledge in its highest branches, much will and still ignorant of the true principle of knowl devolve on you, and much will be expected of edge, or inattentive to it, became sceptical, and you, as conspicuous actors in the opening not unfrequently, Atheistical. And though the scenes of active life. Your efforts and your Atomic philosophy of Leucippus and Democriexamples, may have a peculiar influence. tus had been exploded, and Plat-onism and Sto Shall it be salutory, or shall it be pernicious? icism had been renounced, a new system of will you, by honoring science, bring honor on Epicurianism was erected on their ruins. yourselves, upon this excellent institution, and upon your country?

The physiological hypothesis of Locke, being perverted, or misunderstood, encouraged He who desires to be practically wise, should Materialism. And the developments of the be a close observer of men; and should be, inductive process having inspired a delusive not only industrious and persevering, but confidence in human reason, the Humes and the systematic and patient. It was chiefly by a Berkleys of the 17th century, dethroned comjudicious method, that Bacon achieved won-mon sense, unhinged the minds of men, and ders. Although engaged actively in the Ju- left nothing certain but the uncertainty of risprudence of his day, he wooed the muses knowledge. with a success almost miraculous; and, whilst Atheism and Theophilanthropy were the he was deciding two thousand chancery caus- fruits of their metaphysical sophisms of prees in a year, he found time, not only to display sumptuous reason and perverted ratiocination. his Botanic taste in beautifying his garden, And anarchy, vice and confusion followed. but to write his Novem arganum. Had he, But knowledge is certain; and true knowllike Leibnitz, wasted his time in desultory or edge inspires humility, as well as confidence. miscellaneous studies and vainly attempted It teaches the mind to move in its appropriate universal conquest, he would, like that litera- sphere--to forbear enterprise beyond its powry epicure, have achieved but comparatively er-to trust to its own light as a safe guide in little. He was also patient. He lived for its own domain, and to follow that light wheremankind, and looked to posterity for his re-ever it leads, and, when it goes out, to stand ward; so did Solon, and Newton, and Milton, still. Newton is the most perfect model of the and Franklin-whose names possess more mor- true philosophy, and most happily illustrated al influence than those of all the sciolists and its proper sphere and its great efficacy. chieftains the world ever saw.

Knowledge-thorough and right knowedge, Many a signal abortion has been the conse- is opposed to bigotry, selfishness, and cynicquence of impatience, and premature ambi- ism-it wages an incessant war with idleness tion. Let the young student and the nestling and vice-it is benevolent, and its benevolence politician, remember Tiberius and Caius Grac- is active-it aspires to positive usefulness, and chus, and let him never forget the Dialogue is afraid to do nothing but that which is wrong between Socrates and Glauco. Let him re--it will not follow a multitude to do evil-it member that it is in the maturity of right knows that "the fear of man bringeth a snare" knowledge, practical as well as speculative, it knows that popularity is not an infallible that useful service is to be rendered, or unfad-evidence of merit, and is as evanescent and ing laurals to be plucked-that, if he wishes to be distinguished as a Jurist he must do as Coke, and Mansfield, and Marshall--did that, if he desires political fame, he must follow the example of Cicero, of Burke, of Chatham. and of Madison; and that, if he wishes to adorn the sacred desk, he should look to Saurin, to Whitfield, and to Alexander.

uncertain as the wind-it knows that to do good, and not to seem good, is the duty of man

and well it knows, that honorable fame, is the reward only of honorable conduct; that to despise such fame is but to despise the virtues which alone can earn it, and that the Amaranthyne wreath can adorn none but the good and the wise, who climb the lofty cliff, where it blooms.

Learn as Bacon, and Newton, and Franklin The enlightened mind has resources for adlearned-by patient and rational induction. versity, which no vicissitude of fortuue can Banish all false idols which lure but to decoy; destroy, and the want of which no wealth or and especially abjure Bacon's idolta Tribus and power can supply. When harrassed by care, idola Theatri. A servile imitation of distin- assailed with obloquy, or bereaved of friends, guished men--a proneness to theories, and an the man of true philosophy has still a fund on eagerness for generalization, have ever been which he can draw with confidence, and of common stumbling-blocks in the way of which no earthly power can ever deprive him, science. Aristotelian abstractions, and Aca- as long as his reason is left unimpaired. The demic jargon reigned with a mystic and fatal sanctuary of a pure and cultivated mind will spell over the intellectual world for two thou- afford him peace and comfort when darkness sand years. Cartesian reveries then had their and desolation are around him. Remember day of pernicious authority; and even Bacon Cicero. He had seen his country's glory blastthe founder of the true system of philosophis-ed by upstart demagogues--he had been exiled ing by induction from facts well ascertained, and his house had been demolished by the did notlive to be hold the complete triumphs of mock patriot Clodius-death had borne from his great innovation, and was not himself, in his arms his lovely Tullia, the only remaining all respects, an examplar of his own rational prop of his declining years-but then, even principles. then, when, to the mere animal man, nothing In the succeeding age, the human mind, remained but gloom and despair, he enjoyed

filled which gives dignity and honor. Always thus acting, you may be benefactors of your race--may help to exalt your country and consolidate its liberties, and at last earn for yourselves enduring monuments.

Fellow Citizens-all who hear-of every age and condition--we all have our allotted places, and our alloted duties. Shall we fill those places, and discharge those duties as freemen ought? Whatever may be our station, our influence will be felt. Then, "act well your part, there all the honor lies."

in his retirement, the society of the illustrious not the station, but the manner in which it is dead, and the consolations of philosophy, and thus soared above destiny and robbed fate of its victim. To his friend Sulpicius, he wrote thus "My daughter remained to me that was a constant support-one to which I always had recourse the charm of her society made me almost forget my troubles; but the frightful wound I have received in losing her, uncloses again all those I had thought healed. I am driven from my house and the Forum." But to Varro he wrote thus-"I have reconciled myself with my books-they invite me to a renewal of our ancient intercourse-they Like the golden leaves of Autumn, our pa tell me that you have been wiser than I in triarchs are dropping around us; a few only never having forsaken them-I seek my repose remain to watch over the work of their hands, with true satisfaction in my beloved studies." and close the age of glory. La Fayette-the Do you desire that fame which shines like last surviving general of the Revolutionthe twinkling star, and whose temple stands friend of our country, and benefactor of manimmovable on the mountain's summit? Knowl-kind-has just taken his flight from the troub edge-true knowledge, is the beaten and toil- led scenes of earth, and is, we hope, once some way, and all other paths bewilder and more and forever, united with Washington and mislead. Who would not prefer the fame of Adams and Franklin. And soon--too soon Socrates to that of Cleon--that of Cicero to for us--not one of the patriarchal band will be that of Clodius, or Anthony, or Lepidus, or left behind to guide and to instruct the new Cæsar?-the fame of virtue to the blazonry of generation that succeeds them. And whentitles or of arms?-Knowledge is the only pass-appointed by Heaven-the last survivor shall port to a virtuous immortality; and its per- close the long line in its march to the skies, sonal exemplifications shed a happy moral shall he tell that the great work of their lives influence. Sappho, you know, was canon- was in vain--that their sons have proved reized as the 10th muse; and old Cato was call- creant and dishonored their trust?--or shall he ed the 13th table of the Roman law. And bear the glad tidings that all is yet safe? Let the classical reader remembers that, when al- us be true to ourselves and faithful to the memmost all the Greeks, captured with Nicias at ory of our illustrious dead, and all will be safe Syracuse, had died in dungeons, a remnant of --safe to us, and safe to those whom we shall the survivors saved themselves by the recita- leave behind us. All depends on ourselves and tion of beautiful extracts from Euripides. our fellow-countrymen. Shall this Union be How potent was the shadowed genius of the dissolved, and the fame and the ashes of our immortal Athenian when it alone melted the father's divided? Will we bequeath to our chilicy hearts that nothing else could touch, and dren happiness or woe-degradation or glory? broke the captive's chains which justice, and Our work is not hard. Honesty, and vigiprayers, and tears, had in vain tried to un-lance, and true public spirit among ourselves, loose? And hence "the glory of Euripides and proper examples and precepts to our chilhad all Greece for a monument." He too was dren, will finish all that remains for us. Let elevated by the light of other minds. It is us improve our country, and preserve and said that he acquired a sublime inspiration strengthen the fabric of liberty reared by our whenever he read Homer-whose Iliad and predecessors; and let us, by the proper means, whose Odyssey-the one exhibiting the fa- prepare our successors for its continued pretality of strife among leading men-the other servation and enjoyment. The age of glory is portraying the efficacy of perseverance-have past or is fast passing away. Let this be the stamped his name on the roll of fame in letage of improvement-improvement here as ters of sunshine, that will never fade away. No memorial tells where Troy once stood Delphi is now mute-the thunder of Olympus is hushed, and Apollo's lyre no longer echoes along the banks of the Peneus--but the fame of Homer still travels with the stars.

well as elsewhere---improvement in virtue and intelligence---in government and in laws.

And then-after we too shall have joined our friends and the friends of our country above-should our departed spirits be permit ted to re-visit the scenes of our pilgrimage here But my young friends, knowledge, to be below, a century hence, we may see the Staruseful, must be active. If you wish to be most spangled Banner-unsoiled and unrifieduseful, do not, like Atticus, shrink from the proudly waiving over an hundred million of responsibilities of public life, nor always our posterity, free and happy, and grateful to agree right or wrong-with the dominant those who completed the great work our fathparty, but, rather like Cicero, actively and ers began. And then too-with Washington honestlay devote all your talents to the service and Adams and Jefferson and La Fayetteof your country, and in vindication of its in- may we behold, in the temple of concord and stitutions and its liberties. With Epaminon-union, the altar of liberty, the altar of justice, das, neither seek nor decline, on account of and the altar of God, standing side by sidetheir imputed dignity, places of public trust; firm, broad, and resplendant; and consecrated and always remember his maxim, that, it is forever to Earth and to Heaven.

PRELECTION.

Introductory Lecture, delivered in the Chapel of Morrison College, on the 7th of Novemer, 1835

LEXINGTON, NOVEMBER 9th, 1835.

DEAR SIR: We have been deputed by the LAW CLASS of Transylvania University, to express to you the high gratification they received from the delivery of your Introductory Discourse; and, to request, that you would favor them, with a copy for publication.

We take pleasure in performing the duty assigned us, and are,
With great respect, your obedient servants,

BENJ. TOMPKINS,

C. M. CLAY,

B. E. GRAY,

W. M. TUNSTALL,

J. F. BUCKNER,
R. H. COCKE,

J. B. HOUSTON.

HON. GEORGE ROBERTSON, Professor of Law, T. U.

LEXINGTON, NOVEMBER 10th, 1835.

GENTLEMEN:-In answer to your polite note of yesterday, requesting a copy of my late Introductory Lecture, for publication, I tender to yourselves, and to the Law Class whom you represent, my acknowledgements for your and their kind consideration, and freely present you with a copy of the address.

With sentiments of high respect and sincere friendship,

I am, Gentlemen, yours respectfully, GEORGE ROBERTSON, Messrs. TOMPKINS, CLAY, TUNSTALL, BUCKNER, COCKE and HOUSTON.

ADDRESS.

GENERAL expectation, as well as established Universal law, thus comprehending so many usage, demands, at this professional anniver- interesting departments of knowledge, each sary, a public address introductory to the di- depending on natural fitness and eternal prindactic course of legal instruction in which we ciples of reason and of right, must be admit are about to engage. The pressure, until now, ted to be, not only a perfect, but a beautiful of other and more important public duties has and voluminous science, which vitally concerns left us leisure scarcely sufficient for some gen-all things and all men, under all circumstaneral and discursive suggestions respecting the ces, and throughout all time. It is, in the character and elements of Law, as a science-only perfect sense, the supreme law, which a subject which, in its most graceful and attractive form, would be comparatively dry and uninteresting to a miscellaneous auditory. Therefore, in attempting the discharge of this preliminary duty, we respectfully invoke your patience and indulgence.

cannot be universally obeyed without universal harmony and peace, or violated, in any possible instance, without consequent disorder and punishment. It is the immovable foundation of all human obligation and of all human power; and an enlightened contemplation of it in its outline or in any of its branches, however minute, tends to elevate and ennoble the character of man, and must improve and exalt the mind.

emanating from the CREATOR of all things, and binding the universe to the Throne of Heaven.

Among human sciences, Jurisprudence is first in utility, first in variety and extent of knowledge, and should therefore be first in dignity and in public estimation. But nevertheless, vulgar prejudice, arising from ignorance But of a system so infinite and so sublime, of its true nature and extent prevailing among a more particular analysis would be now inap too many of the select class whose lives have propriate. We will only add that univer been ostensibly dedicated to it as a branch of sal law is either a fixed and controling principrofessional learning, has doomed it to an un-ple of being, or an inflexible rule of action just degradation in public opinion. When considered philosophically, it is not, as it has been too often deemed to be, a circumscribed art Positive law is an artificial system of rules or trade, altogether practical and arbitrary, resulting from, and peculiar to the social and but is a vast department of knowledge, pre- civil state of man, prescribed by human legeminent in value, illimitable in extent, and islation for regulating civil conduct, and eninfinite in detail-embracing, as far as it is forcing civil obligations. These laws, mutable visible, in its luminous outline, the elements various and comparatively imperfect, but inof all human science-the concentrated wis-dispensable to the happiness and dignity of dom of ages-and the immutable principles of our species, constitute the elements of civil natural fitness and enlightened reason. jurisprudence. And it is in this restricted Jurisprudence is, as we know, generally de-sense that the term jurisprudence is profesfined to be "the science of Law.' Laws, ac-sionally used and generally understood. And, cording to Montesque, are but the necessary though universal jurisprudence is, as it has relations of things. And, thus comprehen- been defined-"the knowledge of things husively understood, law governs every thing in man and divine, the science of what is just the physical and moral universe; and is di- and unjust"-the latter branch of the definition visible into two great orders-natural and pos-alone designates the science which engages itive or universal and civil. Natural law is the peculiar attention of the legislator and immutable in its nature, and universal in its jurist. This may be appropriately termed civ authority and operation; and is either physicalil jurisprudence, because it regards man in the civil state, and regulates political and civPhysical law governs the material world il relations. This department of jurisprudence and all animal existence; and is sub-divided may be sub-divided into general and particuinto various subordinate departments--such lar, rational and arbitrary. General law is as Chemistry, Mechanical Philosophy, Geol-that civil code which has been recognized by ogy, Anatomy, Phisiology, Botany. &c., &c. all civilized communities of men, and is foundMoral law is the system of rules prescribeded on the principles of universal reason and by God, for the conduct of rational beings in a right.

or moral.

state of nature, or independently of civil rela- Particular or local law is the system of pos tions aud obligations, and is of two classes-itive enactments, which are peculiar to one Theology, or the relations and duties of man place or people. The body of the laws of every to his Creator-and Ethics, or the natural reenlightened age or nation, are rational, or delations and obligations of man to his kind. ducable from reason and analogy. This is