UNSANCTIFIED INTELLECT.

81

other origin than the union of high intelligence with base deeds. Now is this an extraordinary fact that the world owes nine-tenths of its calamities to extraordinary men? Is it not a solemn verity? Does it not argue the wisdom of Satan thus to employ the noblest intellect in his service, and the folly of man thus to prostrate his power at the feet of such a master? Alas, alas! a great mind is to often the index of a lost soul! Strange fact that man seems to understand everything but himself and his destiny."

But

"Here we are in the middle of the nineteenth century-will the world ever see the twentieth ? If so, and if they go on at their present rapid rate, future generations will scarcely own affinity with us, and we should hardly dare claim connexion with them. the probability is, that the next century will dawn upon the world in a far different condition than that which we at present imagine. The condition to which it will then have arrived will be the commencement of a new era. We know not the day when this great revolution is to take place; but we are led to think that it is not far distant. The Bible foretells it and the events that will precede it; and these events seem coming upon us with astonishing rapidity, and with a fearful confirmation of the truth of revelation. Knowledge walks the earth-history literally flies from one place to a hundred others in almost a moment of time. Continent is linked with continent-time and distance are obliterated-the winds and waves, and all the elements of nature, seem to bend to the power of man. Society, too, seems on the eve of some great moral and physical revolution.

Already are heard the rumblings of the earthquake. Satan has been very busy in the world from the fall to the present moment; and we have reason to believe that he is now accumulating his energies for the last struggle. Wars and rumours of war are abroad on the earth. Popery is making bold endeavours to regain its footing. Christianity is spreading in every heathen land; and everything, in fact, in the present aspect of the world, speaks some great coming event. Watch and pray, for in an hour ye know not the Son of man will come."

LIFE.

"Amidst all the characters given by poets and philosophers to Life, perhaps the least regarded is the imagination. Life in its loveliest forms consists in a great measure in the imagination. Thus thought loves to dwell upon scenes of future or fancied happiness, grouping into the most felicitous shapes all one's future career. Thus it grasps an airy bubble floating by in momentary splendour, and builds upon it a destiny of the highest and most substantial happiness. How one's youthful imagination seems to bear us on blind to the misery and woe all around us-blind to the stern and sometimes sickening realities of existence,. and alive only to the beautiful and happy, the gay and glorious. How imagination-that wonderful power of the soul-can magnify a transient beam of sunshine into an ever-abiding and increasing stream of effulgent radiancy! How a look from the eye, a smile of the countenance, a trifling act of love, can kindle a flame in the soul, which our fond imagination would persuade us

to believe is enduring, giving power and warmth! How gladdening are feelings of youth! how keen its susceptibilities to the beautiful! But alas, alas! how Life in its onward progress alters this beautiful picture! How soon do the dark shades pencilled by the experience of sin and sorrow cast their chilling influences upon the canvas once so gaily tinted! How soon the keen blast of adversity sweeps away, as with a whirlwind, all that before seemed so beautiful and promising! How soon the slow but fearfully sure disease cuts down the budding flower! Yea, how strange a mystery is Life! And yet―

'Life is real, life is earnest!

And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

'Not enjoyment and not sorrow
Is our destined end or way;

But to act, that each to-morrow

Finds us farther than to-day.'

Yes, when once the eye has been turned in the right direction, and the mists and phantoms have disappeared, we shall see that life is the theatre of action-the day of revelation, and the prelude to eternity-an eternity whose untold wonders are beyond the highest flight of the imagination."

CHAPTER III.

Enters Trinity College-Letter from Rev. Dr. Burbidge-Arrival in Dublin-Remarks on the University-Living for God-DiaryUniversity life-Love of the Bible-Social intercourse-His labours in the Sunday-school-Remarks on its advantages-Expiration of first College term-Honours in classics-Journal-Individuality— Death of his grandmamma-Youth-Tour on the Continent— Letter to his father-Notes of travels-Criticisms on the fine arts -Return home.

IN October, 1853, Whitmore closed his curriculum at the Leamington School, and entered his name as an undergraduate of Trinity College, Dublin. Desirous of availing himself of the lectures, he took rooms in the University, and entered upon his higher studies under the able tutorage of the Rev. Dr. Carson. On relinquishing the school for the University, he bore with him some early, endeared and lasting friendships; and especially, the affectionate regards of the Principal, whose interest in his welfare continued to the close of his life, and who addressed to him the following valuable hints on his arrival at Dublin, the insertion of which in this place, may be useful to others who are about to enter upon their University career.

LETTER FROM REV. DR. BURBIDGE. 85

“Leamington College, Nov. 22nd, 1853.

"MY DEAR WINSLOW,-I thank you very much for your early announcement of your settlement in Dublin, which I can easily imagine must have been a very novel sensation to you. The first possession of a teapot is an era in life. In general, I am afraid, however, that one soon finds the dignity rather oppressive,-it is very well to pour out for one's friends, but to pour out for oneself alone is not so agreeable. Your cousin's society, however, will probably prevent your feeling the loneliness of the commencement of University life.

"I was very glad, of course, to hear that you experienced no difficulty in getting into your new post, but, in fact, I did not anticipate any. I shall be glad, however, to hear what sort of examination you were actually subjected to.

"All particulars of your new life will be interesting to me, because I wish to know how far it resembles Oxford and Cambridge. Tell me about the college, any facts, indeed, will be

your rooms, habits, etc.; welcome to me. What are the habits of the men? That there is a reading and refined class I do not doubt, and that you will belong to it.

"It is a great satisfaction to me, indeed, to believe as entirely as I do that your course will be, in the main at least, all that your best friends could wish for you. If I make any qualification of my confidence, it is only such as must be made in the case of any young man of your age and circumstances. I say 'circumstances' because, in fact, you have lived hitherto constantly under a powerful home influence, which leaves it quite possible