- 



stroctioa from their publications, and to reier tc 

 eries and opinions. 



Mr. Knight is a worthy English gentleman, residing 

 near London, nor is he less distinguished for his prac- 

 tical improvements in the culture of plants, than for 

 the philosophical opinions which led to their adoption. 



Mirbel, the equally worthy professor of botany at 

 the Athenaeum in Paris, has published a treatise en 

 vegetable physiology, which is altogether the most in- 

 teresting, as well as the most complete, in this depart- 

 ment of our science. 



Let us close this rapid sketch of its advancement, 

 with a few observations respecting the utility of the 

 Science, which so many illustrious men have made at 

 once, their ,; time's employment, and their leisure's 

 charm." 



The objects, to which our attention is invited, are 

 both interesting and important ; interesting, for they 

 clothe the earth with verdure and beauty : and impor- 

 tant, because from them we derive all the comforts and 

 conveniences of life. Nor is it necessary to prove, for 

 it has been established by the experience of ages, that 

 the science, which reveals the nature and uses of ob- 

 jects like these, may be of great practical utility. 



More important, and more deserving our attention 

 at the present time, is its influence on the mental pow- 

 ers ; giving energy to the weak, purity to the vicious. 

 and contentment to the troubled mind ; at once the 

 source of innocence, tranquillity, and joy. Many have 

 attempted to delineate the most eligible course of edu- 

 cation, and the claims of history to enlighten, of poetry 

 to charm the human mind, and of the sciences to give it 

 capacity and strength, have long been duly estimated 

 and improved. All have their peculiar excellencies, 



