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><^ n 



whole time to the purposes of the Institution ; but all 

 may devote some portion of it to this object. The 

 mind requires relaxation from the labors of a trade, or 

 profession, or the cares of state ; but, like the soil we 

 cultivate, it need not be left for that period to grow up 

 in noxious weeds. Relaxation from intense application 

 to our important duties may be found in the pursuits of 

 literature and science. It is an error to suppose that 

 letters cannot be cultivated without neglecting the ful- 

 filment of the obligations we owe to our families or to 

 our country. On the contrary, the man who devotes 

 his leisure to the acquisition of knowledge will invigo- 

 rate his mind and better fit himself to fulfil his more im- 

 portant duties, than if he had passed those moments in 

 frivolous amusements; and the pursuit itself, by lead- 

 ing us to an intimate acquaintance with the works of 

 nature, cannot fail to elevate our minds to the contem- 

 plation of that Being who " in wisdom has made them 

 all," and to inspire us with devout gratitude to Him 

 who has endued us with intelligence to comprehend his 

 marvellous works. 



