noted, not only for assiduity in study, but for | observation. This theory formed a singular the rare talent of managing with equal dex- advance upon previous geological discoveries. terity the rapier and the scalpel. From Heid- It is needless to recall the recollection of the elberg, he went to the University of Munich, intelligent reader to the fact, that Werner and where he remained four years. Before this, Hutton were, but a few years ago, the grand Agassiz had commenced lecturing to his fel- oracles on this subject, the first referring to low-students, and his already extensive know- water nearly all the changes undergone by ledge of natural history soon attracted the the face of the globe, and the second holdnotice of scientific men and his instructors. ing the prime agent to have been fire. So emiSo great was his reputation, that he was em- nent did their respective names become in conployed by Martius to prepare the ichthyo- nection with these two theories, that the one logical department of the Natural History of was familiarly called the Wernerian system, Brazil, a work which gained him great credit. and the other the Huttonian, by geologists. At this period, his parents, disliking his ex- Strong parties of advocates and supporters clusive devotion to science, withheld his al- arose on both sides. However, the majority lowance; but his enthusiasm procured him of scientific people could coincide wholly with advances from Cotta, a bookseller. Having, neither party. The action of both water and however, gained the degrees of Doctor of fire on the surface of the earth seemed too Medicine and Philosophy, he went to Vienna, plain to be disputed, and to regard either as where he applied himself to the study of ex- the sole agent could not be generally admitisting and fossil fishes. A friend having lent ted; so that, in the course of time, the prinhim some money, he visited Paris, and here cipal questions came to be, "Which of the gained the friendship of Cuvier and Hum- powers had done most? And in what ways boldt, with the former of whom he remained had they acted?" It was perfectly plain until Cuvier's death, in 1832. that the deeper stratifications had resulted Having returned to Switzerland, he was from both agencies, aqueous and igneous (or appointed professor of natural history in the volcanic); but which of them had had the University of Neufchatel-a place which he largest share in arranging the outer and exfilled until his departure for the United States. isting crust of the earth-in forming its In 1833, he commenced the publication of mountains, its vales, and all the varied aphis great work, "Poissons Fossiles," in five pearances which it presents-was a point volumes, with an atlas of about four hundred really open to discussion. On this head, men folio plates, and comprising descriptions and of science still continued to doubt and disfigures of nearly a thousand species of fossil pute. By his close and searching observafishes. This work gained for him the respect tions on the icy masses called glaciers, as of the scientific world, and, at the age of they are to be found in Switzerland and other thirty-four, Agassiz was a member of every alpine countries, Professor Agassiz threw a scientific academy of Europe. The degree of flood of light on this important subject; and, Doctor of Laws was conferred upon him by in fact, commenced so far a new era in geology. the Universities of Edinburgh and Dublin, He proved, beyond question, that in arrangand he was also admitted to the freedom of ing the visible parts of the earth as they those cities. The Order of Knight of the stand, water had been an agent in a form beRed Eagle of Prussia was conferred upon fore scarcely thought of, and to a very great him by the King of Prussia. Since 1833, extent. He proved that, in the shape of ice, his publications have been very numerous. it had modified the terrestrial surface most Among them are works on the Echinoderms, materially in places where the climate no and on the Fossil Molluscs of the Jura-a longer permits of such actions. Thus, the German translation of "Buckland's Geology," glacial, or ice theory, comes to involve many with copious notes, and his "Fresh-water curious points, relating as well to the temFishes of Europe." The "Nomenclator Zoo-perature of the earth, as to its actual superlogicus," published some years since, and the " Bibliographie Générale d'Histoire Naturelle," lately published by the Royal Society, are the product of several years' ob servation. But it was in 1837 that Agassiz attained to his highest honors. He then promulgated to the world his "Glacial Theory," as it is usually called, the result of many years of ficial structure in early ages. It accounts, also, for matters on which science had before looked almost hopelessly-as, for example, on the existence of boulders, or large waterworn stones, in positions far above the reach, now-a-days, of the agencies to which they must have been at one time (and long) subjected. We have presumed here that the reader. understands what glaciers are; but it may be as well to mention, that the name is given to those masses of ice which are found, in all elevated latitudes, clothing the mountaintops, and clogging up the higher valleys. At the present day, such phenomena as glaciers are, of course, to be observed only in those situations called alpine, or peculiarly hilly; though a single mount of great height, like Mount Etna, presents so far the glaciers with their usual peculiarities. However, it is not only where they now exist, as has been said, that their action is discoverable. They have left their marks over almost the whole globe-or at least over much of Europe warm, mild, or chilly; and so have they led to the conviction that immense changes must have occurred in respect to the temperature of such parts of the earth. By the presence of blocks of stone in quarters to which they are by nature strangers, and where they lie alone to excite wonder, as also by the existence of shells where shells never could have been found without some such means of transportation, and by the presence of the remains of plants foreign to the soil, the action of glaciers may be held as proven in climes where they have been long-long unknown. Nor must it be imagined that these transportations have gone on merely on a small scale, or but from one to another hill-side. On the contrary, the granite of Criffel, a large hill in Kirkcudbrightshire, has been found strewn on the English shores of the Solway; and it has even been supposed that shifted masses of Norwegian stone are to be discovered on the eastern coasts of Britain. The alteration of temperature, and other circumstances, must thus have been vast, as far as the lands in question were concerned; and the glacial theory assumes a degree of importance of no ordinary kind, in the eyes of all to whom the history of the earth is interesting. It was, of course, by observing glacial phenomena on a comparatively small scale, or as they exist now, that M. Agassiz came to the conclusions on which he based this great theory. His observations were made in his own alpine country, adjoining Neufchatel, where he resided officially. The huge glaciers there discoverable may be called poetically "eternal," but they are still subject to change. The texture of their component ice is not solid, but spongy, or, at least, penetrated by chinks and pores. When the heats of summer occur, they partially affect these icy masses, and water sinks naturally into such vacuities. This water as naturally freezes in the winter season, and, in freezing, expands, causing a general dilatation of the glacier concerned. It is loosened, and moves down the mountain-side in greater or lesser portions, and with a velocity proportioned to its position, and the obstacles in its way. These obstacles, however, where at all movable, are caught up by it, and hurried along to the foot of the slope. Wherever that may be, almost certainly the transported glacier will be placed in a lower temperature, and will melt, depositing all the stones and earth collected in its passage. Even before the eyes of M. Agassiz, huge mounds were thus formed; and, if we count upon the operation of the same agency for a great length of time, the results, it may be imagined, must have been immense. The Swiss know these mounded depositions well, and have called them morains. Besides the transporting action of the glacier, it has also an effect upon the slope which it passes over. It carries off some parts, and levels others to a smooth shape, leaving the rocky masses untouched. That many of our Scottish mountains have undergone this action, and that the lower grounds display the deposits, can scarcely be doubted. Besides levelling some parts, and rounding off others, the glacier often leaves stride or furrows in its course, caused by the heavy bodies which it has collected. These are sometimes so marked upon very hard rocks, as to give a striking idea of the force of the originating movement. There are various other circumstances connected with glaciers not unworthy of notice, but our object here is simply to explain the great theory which has rendered M. Agassiz especially famous. In applying it to a practical explanation of much that is to be seen on the face of the globe, the transporting power of icebergs by sea must also be fully taken into account. Nor can it be denied that there are many proofs of the action of standing water, as in the case of the Parallel Roads of Glenroy, and many others where level lines or beaches are observable. By an ingenious man resident at Galashiels [Mr. Kemp], traces of such beaches were even distinctly noticed on the inland banks of the Tweed. But, though exposed in details to some critical objections, the glacial theory of M. Agassiz must be held as a noble contribution to advancing science. It will not explain all, but it explains much; and, though observations on the transporting power of the ice had been made before, it was left for the subject of our memoir to base on it anything like a great general hypothesis. It may interest Scottish readers to see here the opinion of M. Agassiz on the appearances of glacial action traceable in Scotland. In a letter published after a tour there, he says: "After having obtained in Switzerland the most conclusive proofs that at a former period the glaciers were of much greater extent than at present, nay, that they had covered the whole country, and had transported the erratic blocks to the places where these are now found, it was my wish to examine a country where glaciers are no longer met with, but in which they might formerly have existed. I therefore directed my attention to Scotland, and had scarcely arrived in Glasgow, when I found remote traces of the action of glaciers; and the nearer I approached the high mountain chains, these became more distinct, until, at the foot of Ben Nevis and in the principal valleys, I discovered the most distinct morains and polished rocky surfaces, just as in the valleys of the Swiss Alps, in the region of existing glaciers; so that the existence of glaciers in Scotland at early periods can no longer be doubted. The Parallel Roads of Glenroy are intimately connected with this formero ccurrence of glaciers, and have been caused by a glacier from Ben Nevis. The phenomenon must have been precisely analogous to the glacier-lakes of the Tyrol, and to the event that took place in the valley of Bagne." This letter would be interesting, were it but as a proof how a favored theory will mislead the wisest. That the lines of Glenroy, which stand at one level almost for some half hundred miles, were beaches formed by standing water, is not for one instant to be doubted. The few remaining facts connected with M. Agassiz, with which we are acquainted, may be given in a few words. In 1837, as observed, he first promulgated his "Glacial Theory," which has ever since attracted much attention. It having been asserted that it was inconsistent with known facts, Agassiz for eight years spent his summer vacations in making observations at the Glacier of the Aar, eight thousand feet above the sea, and twelve miles from any other habitation than his own hut. The results of these examinations are contained in two works, "Etudes sur les Glaciers," and "Système Glacière." In 1846, Agassiz went to America, and on the establishment of the Lawrence Scientific School, he accepted the appointment of professor of zoology and geology, which he still holds. Since his arrival in that country, Professor Agassiz has presented a large number of communications to the American Academy and other scientific bodies, and has published, in connection with Dr. Gould of Boston, a Zoology for students. His elaborate work on Lake Superior has just appeared. BEAR THEE UP BRAVEY. Bear thee up bravely, Let them not win from thee Such were a sin from theeHope for good yet! Rouse thee from drooping, Nerve thee yet stronger, Let care no longer Till from material things -Household Words From Blackwood's Magazine. ANCIENT AND MODERN ELOQUENCE. ELOQUENCE, in its highest flights, is beyond all question the greatest exertion of the human mind. It requires for its conception a combination of the most exalted faculties; for its execution, a union of the most extraordinary powers. Unite in thought the most varied and dissimilar faculties of the soulstrength of understanding with brilliancy of imagination; fire of conception with solidity of judgment; a retentive memory with an enthusiastic fancy; the warmth of poetry with the coldness of prose; an eye for the beauties of nature with a command of the realities of life; a mind stored with facts and a heart teeming with impressions-and you will form the elements from which the most powerful style of oratory is to be created. But this is not all. Physical powers, if not essential, are at least a great addition to the mental qualities required for its success. The orator must have at once the lengthened thought which is requisite for a prolonged argument, and the ready wit which can turn to the best advantage any incident which may occur in the course of its delivery. More than all is required the fixity of purpose, the energy in effort, the commanding turn, which, as it is the most valuable and important faculty of the mind, so it is the one most rarely to be met with in any walk of life, and least of all in combination with the brilliant and imaginative qualities, which are the very soul of every art which is to subdue or captivate mankind. It is not surprising that the art of the orator should require, for its highest flights, so rare a combination of qualities, for of all the efforts of the human mind it is the most astonishing in its nature, and the most transcendant in its immediate triumphs. The wisdom of the philosopher, the eloquence of the historian, the sagacity of the statesman, the capacity of the general, may produce more lasting effects upon human affairs; but they are incomparably less rapid in their influence, and less intoxicating from the ascendancy they confer. In the solitude of his VOL XXIII NO. I. library the sage meditates on the truths which are to influence the thoughts and direct the conduct of men in future times; amidst the strife of faction the legislator discerns the measures calculated, after a long course of years, to alleviate existing evils or produce happiness yet unborn; during long and wearisome compaigns the commander throws his shield over the fortunes of his country, and prepares in silence and amidst obloquy the means of maintaining its independence. But the triumphs of the orator are immediate; his influence is instantly felt: his, and his alone, it is "The applause of listening senates to command, And read his history in a nation's eyes." To stand up before a vast assembly composed of men of various passions, habits, and prepossessions; to conciliate their feelings by the art, and carry away their judgment by the eloquence, of the orator; to see every gaze at length turned on his countenance, and every ear intent on the words which drop from his lips; to see indifference turn into excitement, and aversion melt away amidst enthusiasm; to hear thunders of applause at the close of every sentence, and behold the fire of enthusiasm kindled in every eye, as each successive idea is brought forth; and to think that all this is the creation of the moment, and has sprung extempore from the ardor of his conceptions, and the inspiration they have derived from what passes around him, is perhaps the greatest triumph of the human mind, and that in which its divine origin and immortal destiny is most clearly revealed. It is the magnitude of the combination requisite for its greatest efforts which renders eloquence of the loftiest kind so extremely rare among mankind. It is less frequent than the hightest flights in epic or dramatic poetry. Greece produced three great tragedians, but only one Demosthenes; Cicero 2 romance, poetry itself, share at times in the same degradation. It would be as unjust to stigmatize oratory as the art of sophists or declaimers, intended to seduce or deceive those who cannot see through its artifices, as it would be to reproach the stage with the vulgarity of the buffoon, or novels with the licentiousness of Aretin, or poetry with the seductions of Ovid. We must not think lightly of an art which has been ennobled by the efforts of Cicero and Burke in the most refined assemblies, because it has also led to the triumphs of O'Connell and Wilkes in the most ignorant. stands alone to sustain by his single strength | did possess, and secretly despised in their the fame of Roman oratory. Antiquity could hearts the arts to which their triumphs had not boast of more than five or six persons been owing. But this is no more than is the who, by the common consent of their con- case with all the arts which aim at influenctemporaries, had attained the highest ranking or charming mankind. The theatre, the in forensic eloquence; it is doubtful if modern times could count as many: as many, we mean, who have attained the very highest place in this noble and difficult art; for, doubtless, in the second class, great numbers of names are to be found; and in the third their name is legion. It is not meant to be asserted that great temporary fame and influence by eloquence may not be, and often has been, acquired by persons who are deficient in many of the qualities above enumerated, as required to form a perfect orator. Without doubt, brilliancy of genius will often, for passing effect, compensate the want of solidity of judgment; and fire of imagination make us for the moment forget a squeaking voice, a diminutive figure, an ungainly countenance. No one, at times, commanded the attention of the House of Commons more entirely than the late Mr. Wilberforce, and yet his stature was small, and his voice weak and painfully shrill. But great earnestness of will and brilliancy of fancy are required to compensate such defects; and we are persuaded that none will more readily admit the justice of these observations than those who have labored under, and, by their powers, in a certain degree surmounted them. As little is it intended to assert that vast influence may not be acquired, and unbounded celebrity for the time obtained, not merely without the co-operation of such varied and extensive qualities, but by the aid, in many cases, of the very reverse. As temporary influence, not lasting fame, is the immediate and chief end of oratory, its style must be adapted to the prevailing cast of mind, and ruling interests or passions, of the persons to whom it is addressed; and as it will share in elevation of sentiment, if that is their characteristic, so it will be deformed by vulgarity or selfishness when they are vulgar and selfish. It is a common saying, that a speaker must descend to the level of his audience, if he means to command their suffrages or enlist their passions; and we have only to look around us to see how often, in assemblies of an inferior, interested, or impassioned character, the highest celebrity and most unbounded success are attained by persons who not only have exhibited few of the qualities of a refined orator, but who had studiously concealed those which they If we would see in modern literature the most exact counterpart which Europe has been able to present to the oratorical perfection of antiquity, we must look for it not in the debates of its National Assemblies, or even the effusions of its pulpit eloquence, but in the speeches of its great tragic poets. The best declamations in Corneille, Alfieri, and Schiller, are often nothing but ancient eloquence put into verse. The brevity and force of Shakspeare belong to the same school. These men exhibit the same condensation of ideas, terseness of expression, depth of thought, acquaintance with the secrets of the heart, which have rendered the historians and orators of antiquity immortal. Like them in their highest flights, they present intellect and genius disdaining the attractions of style, the flowers of rhetoric, the amplifications of imagination, and resting solely on condensed reason, cogent argument, and impassioned pathos. They are the bones and muscles of thought, without its ornament or covering. It is this circumstance which rendered their drama so popular, and has given its great masters their colossal reputation; and in their lasting fame may be found the most decisive proof of the undying influence of the highest species of eloquence on cultivated minds. and women went to the theatre not to be instructed in the story-it was known to all; not to be dazzled by stage effect-there was none of it; but to hear oratory of the highest, pathos of the most moving, magnanimity of the most exalted kind, repeated with superb effect by the first performers. The utmost vehemence of action, with all the aids of intonation, action, and delivery, was employed to heighten the effect of condensed eloquence, Men |