24 
THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
illumination to every phase of life and outgo¬ 
ing of mind and heart. It was the celestial 
ladder, with foot resting on the earth, and rising 
upward, with an ever-growing brightness, until 
its leaning top touched the throne of infinite 
glory and goodness. 
Doctor Dean possessed the usual amount of 
professional scholarship, which is, from the 
nature of the case, more or less technical—a 
“ valley of dry bones ” if the possessor does 
not give life and clothing to his acquirements 
by fresh and original studies. By a judicious 
selection of topics and a careful use of time. 
Doctor Dean had become unusually enriched 
in the most important departments of natural 
history and science, and had so trained his chil¬ 
dren that they largely shared in his enthusiasm 
and acquisitions. Their study in these depart¬ 
ments had ceased to be a task, and had become a 
recreation ; and, without being pedantic or offen¬ 
sive, they possessed, in a wonderful degree, the 
faculty of infusing something of their enthusi¬ 
asm into such of their visitors as were capable 
of entering into their studies and pursuits. 
Milton, the son, had grown in body and mind 
since he was found gathering wisdom on the sea- 
