220 Family Life of the Middle Glass. 



like to take a frequent glance at solar spots, lunar mountains, 

 and double stars, if accompanied by such explanations as will 

 enable them to understand what they are looking at. If 

 another works with a microscope, all will be glad to see any- 

 new object of remarkable beauty or curiosity, provided its 

 nature is explained. A geologist can always interest ordinary 

 mortals, if they are not in a state of preternatural stupidity, 

 by showing and explaining appropriate objects ; and so can a 

 botanist, or any other student of special matter. Each member 

 of a family should be expected to contribute something to its 

 intellectual life, as well as to its moral excellence, and no child 

 should be brought up to be an uninteresting and mentally 

 unprofitable member of the circle. Lectures ought to be 

 made systematically available for what they are worth ; they 

 can never replace class teaching or private study, but they are 

 admirable introductions and stimulants, and useful for keeping 

 up knowledge already gained, and bringing it up to date. 



In addition to such larger combinations as may be neces- 

 sary for the support of public institutions, why should not a few 

 families combine for the general encouragement of intelligent 

 pursuits. "With mutual help, the study of difficult subjects might 

 be facilitated, and very interesting gatherings might advan- 

 tageously replace many dolefully stupid and sorely afflicting 

 parties, in which nobody has anything useful or entertaining to 

 say. 



We do not want to natter our readers, but we do look upon 

 them, and upon those like them, who ought to be our readers, as 

 the leaven that is to leaven the lump. Progress takes place 

 when superior minds, or better cultivated minds, come into 

 frictional contact with, and excite less advanced minds. It is 

 for families who have learned to rejoice in the fulfilment of those 

 intellectual duties which devolve upon human beings endowed 

 with noble faculties, and placed in a noble universe for their 

 exercise, to lead others in the same path. Let them exclaim, 

 with Wordsworth — 



" What we have loved. 



Others will love, and we will teach them how ; 

 Instruct them how the mind of man becomes 

 A thousand times more beautiful than the earth 

 On which he dwells : above this frame of things 

 (Which, 'mid all revolution in the hopes 

 And fears of men, doth still remain unchanged) 

 In beauty exalted, as it is itself, 

 Of quality and fabric more divine."* 



* This gi'and passage, which forms the conclusion of tho Prelude, is a 

 pons asinorum, or donkey's bridge, for bad readers, who are sure to break down 

 before getting through it. We recommend families to have a try at it, each 

 member at a time, and the one who can bring out its full sense and majestic 

 rhythm, will deserve at least as much credit as the boy or girl who gets over the 

 famous proposition of Euclid, to which we have likened it. 



