75 



would be the evidence from which an intelligent stranger 

 would have to form his judgment of the mental and moral 

 condition of our principal Commercial Cities. And though in- 

 tellectual culture cannot be depended upon for the cure of 

 moral evils, the character of a community is often a reflex of 

 the character of its upper classes ; and the peculiar evils un- 

 der which commercial communities labour, do certainly appear 

 to be those which the intellectual culture of the upper 

 classes would at least be likely to alleviate. We need honour- 

 able instead of corrupting occupation for the leisure of the 

 young. We need the graces of the Past to be shed over 

 the stubborn realities of every-day life. We would open our 

 minds to the elevating and refining influences of Art; and 

 would alternate the associations and delights of Learning and 

 Science with our love for the talk of merchandize and the 

 chink of gold. 



Lastly, a mercantile life must not be undervalued. It is 

 poor and vulgar talk to say, that Trade is nothing but an 

 aggregation of debasing and deadening influences. Any in- 

 strument, even though of matchless tone and power, will give 

 discordant sounds when touched by tmtaugJit hands. And 

 human life has "music in it" ever, if men will strive with 

 master-hand to sweep the immortal strings. 



