lent desire to promote the interests of the Apprentices' Library. The elevation of the character of the young men of this community has been, and will continue to be, a leading object of its care. It will seek to do so, by calling them from low pursuits, and indulgences that "perish in the using," and associations that de grade the character and defile the soul, to the pure pleasures of science, to the elevating occupations of intellect, to the ennobling study of the works of God. It will be all in vain, if they add not to these, the faithful, diligent, conscientious study of His word. "Wherewithal," says Royal David, " shall a young man cleanse his way? Even by taking heed thereto, according to Thy word." Young men of Burlington, these are right words, and words of heavenly wisdom. I pray you write them on your hearts. They will sustain you in the evil hour. They will console you when all human sympathy shall fail. The memory of them will remain, among the hoarded treasures of the better world. I present for your instruction, and I would that it might be for your imitation, a beautiful picture of youthful piety, lending to science, such as age not often compasses, its highest consecration. The visible transit of the planet Venus over the sun's disk is a phenomenon of rare oc currence. It is of so great importance in astronomical computations, that on two occasions* the governments of Europe sent out expensive expeditions to distant regions, for the purpose of observing it. The transit of this planet was observed, for the first time, in 1639, by

* In 1761 and 1769; by England, France, Russia and Denmark.

Jeremiah Horrox, a young man, not yet twenty-one years of age, in a remote village of England. With very little instruction, and almost without the help of books, or instruments, he calculated its appearance with very great exactness. Himself and a single friend were the only observers of it. Judge with what solicitude he had arranged his humble preparations! Judge with what intense anxiety his ardent mind anticipated its approach! On the day before the transit was expected, he began to observe, and he resumed his la bours on the morrow. But the very hour, when his calculations authorized him to expect the visible appearance of the planet upon the sun's disk, was the hour of the public worship of Almighty God, on His holy day. The delay of a few moments might deprive him of the observation. If its commencement were not noticed, clouds might intervene. The sun was about to set. An hundred and fifty years must elapse before another opportunity would occur. Notwithstanding all this, Horrox twice suspended his operations, and twice repaired to the house of God.* The phenomenon was much to him; but the divine Author was infinitely When his duty was thus paid, and he returned to his chamber the second time, his love of science was gratified with full success. His eyes were the first

more.

* His own modest statement, in his diary, is in these words, at the date of Sunday, 24th November, 1639. "Observavi enim die xxiv., solis ex ortu ad horam usque nonam, item paulo ante decimam ipsoque demum meridie et hora; pomeridiana ad ii.; aliis temporibus ad majora avocatus, quæ utique ob hæc parerga negligi non decuit."-See Chevalier's Hulsean Lectures, to which the author is much indebted.

which ever witnessed the appearance which his skill predicted. Who shall doubt that the splendour of the celestial pageant was enhanced, a thousand fold, to his clear vision, by the pious satisfaction of his heart? Who shall doubt that the service and the glory of "the Father of all lights" were dearer to him, in the trying hour, than all the honours with which science could have crowned his youthful brow? Horrox was taken from the world soon after. It was a saying of the ancients, "They whom the Gods love, die first." Who would exchange the early death-bed of this pious youth, for all that could be lavished on the longest life, passed "without God, and without hope!" To what transcendent visions, outshining all the light of stars and suns and systems, may his admiring eyes be opened, in that world beyond the vail!" And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."

II

THE DIFFUSION OF USEFUL KNOWLEDGE.

*THE INTRODUCTORY LECTURE BEFORE THE MECHANICS' LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OF BURLINGTON.

MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION, NEIGHBOURS AND FRIENDS: It brings the old times back, to stand, before you, here. It seems but yesterday, that I addressed you, at the opening of this House. By almanac, I am, now, older, thirteen years. But, not "a jot" in "heart, or hope." And I am, here, to-night, to offer, to your service, as strong an arm, as true a heart, as clear a head-albeit, the snows have drifted on it--as when I came to you, now, almost twenty years ago: and had not ventured living, life, and more, to serve the Church, the country, and yourselves, in God's own work, of Christian Education. The work, thank God, goes on. The man, thank God, is here. And, so it please Him, will be here; to bend to it his hands, his head, his heart, till it shall gloriously redeem more than was ever hoped : and vindicate, for you, your children, and your chil dren's children, till the last of them is born, in those

*December 3, A. D. 1851.

twin seats of learning and religion, which make your own majestic Delaware, a classic and a sacred stream, the truth and fitness of the first words, that were ever uttered in this House, "I am a citizen of no mean city!"* Neighbours and friends, I am right happy to be, here.

And I am most happy to be here, at the instance of the Mechanics' Library and Reading Room Association, of the City of Burlington. This voice of mine, such as it is, has been uplifted in a multitude of places, in both hemispheres. Within the borders of my own New Jersey, and beyond the immediate circle of my sacred calling and my academic office, I have been honoured, as their Orator, by your own Common Council, by the Historical Society of our State, and by the Venerable Order of the Cincinnati. But, I never answered, as your President + will tell you, with a fuller or a promp ter voice, than when he asked me, if I would deliver the Opening Lecture, before the Mechanics'—which, as more truly English, I shall call, to-night, the Working Men's-Library and Reading Room Association of this City. I am a working man, myself. Find me a man, among you, that works more hours, in every day, than I do, and sleeps fewer; and I will bind myself, seven years, to him, as his apprentice. And, if any one that could purport to be my son, were not to be a working

*The Burlington Lyceum was opened, December 18, 1838. The Address began "Neighbours and Friends, I can say, to-night, with the Apostle Paul, 'I am a citizen of no mean city."" The building has since been purchased, by the City, for a Town Hall; and much enlarged and improved.

The Mayor of the City, James W. Wall, Esq., is President of the Association.