demand for them might be speedily renewed. Hence three articles were required where one more durable would have been sufficient. Loss of time and of labour in the transit of articles in the process of manufacture, in consequence of the various operations being carried on in places widely separated. Also in domestic œconomy, two hundred persons were employed in preparing the meals for two hundred families; -whereas now the meals for the same number of families are prepared by ten individuals, leaving the remaining one hundred and ninety persons to be employed in some other occupation. Buildings were erected and pulled down from mere caprice, and numerous useless articles were manufactured to gratify a vacillating taste". Nor should it be forgotten that

'Full many a flower was born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air.'

h" Edificiorum aut structura aut refectio ideo tam multorum assiduam ubique requirit operam, quod quæ pater ædificavit, hæres parùm frugi paulatim dilabi sinit; ita quod minimo tueri potuit, successor ejus de integro impendio magno cogitur instaurare: quin frequenter etiam quæ domus alii ingenti sumptu stetit, hanc alius delicato animo contemnit, eâque neglectâ, ideoque brevi collapsâ, aliam alibi impensis non minoribus exstruit."-Sir Thomas More.

H

Talent lay too frequently dormant and uncultivated1, or was found in that sphere the least favourable to its active exertion. Genius, neglected genius, pined in obscurity; the most valuable physical and mental powers were therefore wholly lost to society."

"You have," rejoined Saadi," without being conscious of it, drawn a faithful picture of the existing state of Persia. I am no longer surprised at the result of moderate employment when aided by scientific machinery and directed by intelligent and comprehensive regulation; and I even perceive that there is something analogous in the superiority of your combination, to that of a small army over an undisciplined multitude. Athough you could produce by many degrees a greater quantity of articles than

"Yesterday evening the question was proposed, Why great men are so rare, and only appear at intervals? The debate on it continued a long time. Chrysophilus denied the fact, and maintained that Nature does not favour one age or country more than another. Would fame,' added he, ever have celebrated a Lycurgus, if he had been born a slave? or Homer, if he had lived at a time when the language of his country was not yet formed? Who can affirm, that in our time, among civilized or barbarous nations, we might not find other Homers or Lycurguses employed in the discharge of the vilest functions? Nature, ever free and ever rich in her productions, scatters minds endowed with genius over the earth, but circumstances alone can expand and perfect their powers.""-Anacharsis.

were formerly manufactured, still you have no motives to create a superfluity, or more than is really desirable: having effected that object with ease and pleasure to yourselves, and in a very short period, you devote the remainder of your time to public embellishments, to literary and philosophical pursuits, to gymnastic exercises, music, and other recreations. When Almured dilates with enthusiastic delight upon the adequacy of his theories to accomplish the happiness of mankind, it is retorted by his opponents that his scheme will destroy all motive to exertion; but your members, so far from being indolent, are the most active and cheerful race I ever beheld :-you must inform me whence they derive these energies.'

"Most willingly," replied Douglas." But the moon appears obscured and a shower is coming on; let us seek shelter in this cottage, and while partaking of some refreshment I will endeavour to answer your inquiries."

CHAPTER IV.

"Whence also but from truth, the light of minds,
Is human fortune gladden'd with the rays
Of virtue? with the moral colours thrown

centre.

On

every walk of this our social scene, Adorning for the eye of gods and men,

The passions, actions, habitudes of life,

And rendering earth like heaven."-Akenside.

UPON the terrace were three cottages, equi-distant: they were conveniently furnished; with the addition of a select library and a complete collection of instruments applicable to astronomy and natural history. In the principal room were sofas, chairs, and a table with a handsome gas tube rising through the In a small room adjoining were dried fruit, wine, cake, and apparatus for preparing coffee. Each library was composed of books of a distinct character, -botanical, geological, and works on education and history: the cottages were thus furnished during the summer months only. Our young Persian and his friend entered that containing the library on education it was covered with ivy, and a profusion of

gas

wild roses was blooming in front and at the sides. Douglas took from the window a small phosphorusbox, and having obtained a light, applied it to the tube. He brought from the inner room some coffee, and warmed it over the gas, the strength of which could be increased or diminished at pleasure. In a few minutes they were seated together upon a sofa, enjoying their refreshing beverage.

"I cannot," observed Saadi, "but admire the ingenuity of your contrivances, and the good taste displayed in all your arrangements. Had I not already spent some days with you, I should have expressed apprehension that these cottages, unprotected, would be stript of their valuable contents."

Douglas." Should I ask you to assign a reason why the nobles of Persia were not addicted to theft, you would naturally observe, that they could have no motive to steal, being at all times superabundantly supplied; and had not this been so, their education alone would restrain them. Already you have expressed surprise at the overflowing abundance of our stores, and borne testimony to our superior mode of education ;—are not the inhabitants of these communities deprived of every motive to steal equally with your nobles?"

Saadi. "I freely admit it. But now for the mo