They expand the chest, strengthen the spine, and in some cases of apparent deformity they have effected the development of the entire figure in its symmetrical perfection. They contribute also, in a considerable degree, towards establishing a sound and improving a delicate constitution.

'From experience of these happy results, it may with truth be affirmed, that Mr. Jenkins is one of the best friends to health and longevity that England can boast of; and decidedly the best physician, morally as well as physically, that any lady can introduce into her establishment.'

THE native Irishman wears a kindliness of disposition, a depth of feeling, a disdain of petty considerations, and a devotedness of heart, which covers every defect. There is a true and rare generosity, which neither calculates nor hesitates when a kind or noble deed is to be performed; a gem which is seldom to be met with upon the smooth and crowded highways of the world, but we have sometimes marked it glittering amongst the sharp flints which strew the dark and stormy paths trodden by the children of poverty. --O'Driscoll.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE CHRISTIAN
LADY'S MAGAZINE.

'Virtus, repulsæ nescia sordidæ,
Intaminatis fulget honoribus;
Nec sumit aut ponit secures
Arbitrio popularis auræ.'
HOR. Lib. iii. c. 2:

MADAM,

TRUE greatness is a thing so rare, that when it ap pears in the world it attracts the attention of all, like the full-orbed moon on a luminous eve. Many and various are men's notions of true greatness, and as erroneous almost as various. Some imagine that it consisteth in noble blood and high birth; others in riches and power in the world: some attribute it to learning and its effects; others to genius and talent, and some to the peculiar gifts of God. Now it will appear from this diversity of sentiment on the subject, that what is true greatness with one will not appear so to another; and among the many I beg leave humbly to state my opinion of what it consists in: I should say, then, that in order to constitute a mind truly great, these requisites are indispensably necessary:-1st. It is needful that nature do her part; 2dly. That art also lend her aid; and, 3dly. That grace be imparted. The first of these qualities is generally termed genius, the second learning, and the third the gift of God. Now I would not be mis

understood by well-meaning readers, nor misinterpreted by such as take delight in finding fault with everything not proceeding from themselves; and therefore in the very entrance of this paper I would beg of both to understand, that because I call the first of these the gift of nature, it is not my desire to form some imaginary deity of that name, nor thereby to overlook the bountiful goodness of God in the gift of genius, for I do believe it as really proceeding from Him as that of grace, or any other gift, though in a different way. But for distinction sake, and in order to be understood of all, I prefer calling the first-requisite genius the gift of nature, and the third (grace) the gift of God; and I would further observe, that I do not place genius before grace, because I consider it a greater requisite to constitute a noble mind, but also for order's sake, for we are accustomed to treat subjects in the most natural order in which they occur, rather than put the noblest qualities first, which might be their wrong position. In the instance before us, genius is reckoned first in order, because it comes into the world with its possessor, and is as truly a part of the newly-born babe, though as yet undeveloped, as is the lily or the rose in the tender stem just making its appearance above the earth, and whose leaf is hardly yet painted green. Genius can no more be acquired by human exertion, than an ugly face can be rendered beautiful by puffs, powders, patches,' and paints. Being a mental quality, and a term very abstract, it does not admit of definition properly so called, (for simple ideas, if it be a term expressive of one, admit not of such definitions,) and must therefore be imperfectly defined by description and accidents. And thus,

6

though we are unable to explain what genius is, we can tell what it doth, and the handmaids that accompany it as it appeareth in the world..

First, then, I would remark, that I never yet have met with a true genius, that the countenance of the possessor did not indicate in some way the hidden jewel of the mind; nor have I at any time seen that mind brought into operation in conversation, that the genius was not as apparent in the speaker as is the sparkle of the diamond when the light is suffered to play upon its surface; and as different from affected genius too, as is that sparkle from the glitter of a piece of cut glass. But this can seldom or ever take place without the aid of the second requisite mentioned above, namely, education, for if a man knoweth little or nothing of the subject on which he speaks, it matters not what be the quantity or quality of the mind he possesses, he will soon betray either ignorance or folly, if he have the hardihood to attempt a game so hopeless; but as one grand characteristic of a fine mind is good sense, genius will rarely fall into such an error, and the sense of their deficiency in such matters is the grand stimulus to goad them on to study; and if poverty, circumstances in life, &c., debar them this desire of their souls, they pass from the world unheeded, and only meet with that hypothetic title to fame in history, so beautifully expressed by the poet Gray when he saith

Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid

Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire,
Hands that the rod of empire might have sway'd,
Or waked to ecstacy the living lyre;

But knowledge to their eyes her ample page,
Rich with the spoils of time, did ne'er unrol;

Chill penury repress'd their noble rage,

And froze the genial current of the soul,'

Greatness of mind in childhood indicates itself by qualities such as these-fineness and gentleness of temper and disposition; for a coarse and unfeeling nature in infancy never yet indicated greatness of soul that was to be. Take two children of the same family, and nearly of the same ages, and in every other particular in life let them be similarly circumstanced, and that child that is most loving and affectionate to its nurse, its parents, and that causes least trouble, is the most happy and contented, and at the same time most easily feels some supposed injury it has done to another, and of course is most anxious for a reconciliation, and if there be any greatness of soul between the children, you may look for it in him, though in many other respects the other child may appear to have the advantage, namely, such as inquisitiveness, quickness of thought and readiness of action, aptness in letters, and anxiety about every matter that offers itself to his notice. Inquisitiveness in their children is by the parents generally considered a great indication of genius, and of consequence highly prized in the child. I believe, however, that it indicates no such thing, but very much the reverse; and very frequently does it occur, that the brightest flower of a flock of young persons is by most observers supposed to be either a dunce or a fool; while the glitter that is admired in the others soon dies away, and leaves nought behind worthy of any admiration. I believe, however, that talent of an high order may exist without the genius I here allude to, which is inbred greatness of soul; but the latter can never exist without the former, for it is itself talent of the highest kind. And although the youth possessed of