faction after faction, and host on host, in deadly strife for the supremacy. Why this difference? The one system of government places no reliance, no confidence, in the great mass; and, with the other, it is only the confidence placed in the majority that sustains it. Do the majority here wish a change in their laws or the administration of them, the peaceable deposite of the ballot effects that change, which, under an aristocratic system, could only be produced by appeal to arms. Subjects of other governments have watched these things with jealousy; they, not unnaturally, deem that they also are capable of governing themselves. But a few years may pass by, ere that confidence will be obtained, either by force or voluntary concession, and that aristocratic spirit give place to a more democratic benevolence; for changes must take place in the political world, corresponding to the progress of the mass in knowledge, and their appreciation of their rights. We may not, indeed, suppose these things will always be effected in blood, for I believe we have approached an age, the general spirit of which is opposed to these strifes in such entire opposition to all benevolent feelings; yet, if war be necessary to their accomplishment, war will come; — but truth will prevail; its march is onward. In the general progress of nations towards the

knowledge and dissemination of truth and liberal principles, the United States have, since they were formed into a government, been first and foremost. Shall they, henceforth, retain that advanced position?

HAPPINESS.

TELL me not that the grand object of man's pursuit in this world is happiness! True, it makes an excellent theory, but every day's experience proves its hollowness. Look abroad upon the world; cast your eyes upon the multitudes that throng our busy streets; each person, with a jealous disposition, regarding only himself, and jostling all others that in any manner impede his way, and tell me, if you can, that happiness is the grand search of mankind. The very nature of happiness is inconsistent with the pursuits of Can his object be happiness who toils incessantly, month after month, ransacking in the most painful manner book after book, to procure that where with to satisfy his ambitious aspirations for fame? Can the merchant seek happiness in his life of excitement, laboring all the day long for years, alternately perplexed with fears and hopes, lest his schemes should fail, and whom the midnight lamp still finds poring over his ledgers and day-books with compressed lips and pale looks? Can happiness be the object of his pursuit, who regards not the charms

most men.

of life, heeds not the voice of friends, but, clad in filth and wretchedness, wanders through the streets, picking up whatever can be sold for a penny, and hoards the produce of this miserable toil in secret, that in secret the miser may gloat over his ill-gotten wealth? How little like happiness do we see in these! And is it not the same with all other classes, excepting, perhaps, a few solitary instances?

Now, in what does happiness consist; or what is it that confers happiness, that almost all miss it? A benevolent, contented disposition. But with whom do these rest? Who, as he looks around the world, views the habits of his friends or looks into his own heart, can answer? Who strive to be contented or benevolent truly? The politician cannot be contented until he has risen from the lowest station to the highest office, and then he is discontented because he can go no farther.

The merchant is discontented because he has not money, and cannot make it so fast as he could wish. So with the miser; and so with almost all else, whatever the trade or profession. Those in power are unhappy because their power is limited; and those who have none, complain for that reason. But discontent is not the only passion that renders men unhappy, for invariably it also brings with it

envy, and thus each one looks with a jealous eye on his neighbor, deeming him more happy than himself; while, in fact, that neighbor regards him with like feelings. Were happiness truly man's pursuit, each one would strive to be content with what he has, whether of money or power. There are some, no doubt, who approach nearer to the enjoyment of happiness than others, and they are those, in my humble opinion, who have the most vanity in their composition.

I know that, in so writing, I am not writing exactly as very many good persons think; still I cannot help coinciding with the doctor in Ward's Fielding, "that vanity, as it reigns in the heart and controls the actions, is one of the greatest of all contributors to the happiness of men in general;" prevailing, of course, to a greater extent in some persons than in others. We can scarcely analyze an action or a saying, but we find vanity at the bottom to suggest it. Where nought would seem able to give pleasure to one, vanity will fill him with perfect, complete happiness. In the all-absorbing contemplation of himself, thoughts of the rest of the world are shut out, and thus one of the greatest sources of misery cut off: for if a vain person be not admired, he does not perceive it; or, if he do, admires himself so much the more, that it makes up for