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full of "buts" and "provisos ;" and we find ourselves sticking on the horns of a dilemma with, or without, a moment's warning. Materialism is true, to a certain extent; and so is idealism, and mysticism, and skepticism, and heathenism, and bibleism-but we cannot say that any one or all of them is truth; that exists only in the profundities of the divine heart. And so it is with things universally; we see and have to do with things relatively; the absolute, to us, exists only in the desire.

And this, then, is the true ground for the skeptic; not of unbelieving and proud universal denying; not the shallow levity of intellect; far less a vain Tom Paineism and mocking of everything that is good and venerable; but a generous credulity in the boundlessness of truth, whether found in infinitesimalest of gold-grains sown universewide or in solid ingots, hid in the thesaurus of a faith or a system.

And in this sense is it that skepticism is the great conservative or preservative principle in human belief. And this species of skepticism is it that must be induced into our age, before we can hope to arrive at the day-star of truth. It is the lack of our era. For people must be brought to doubt that they are in the best possible condition,_ before we can hope to remedy them. They must come into violent contact with some hard rocks of truth, whose existence they did not dream of, before they can be made to appreciate that they are not altogether in the right, and that other people are not altogether in the wrong. They must be made suspicious of themselves-rendered. . . . σKETTIKOL-thinkers!

But this is getting mortally wearisome (this is supposed to be spoken "aside " you know); so, revenons à nos moutons -which, in this instance, means, back to our "roots." Let us have some

words.

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Profound," is just "deep "—profundus; penetrating down to the "bottom of things. By the way, intellect seems to possess all the dimensions of extension. Thus, we speak of X's great "breadth of thought; of the "lofty) y" genius of Y; or of the far-seeing intelligence of Z.

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"Recondite," again, is what is reconditum-bidden from the superficial, unbelieving gaze. What a story does this tell us of the great "Open Secret" of the universe, as Fichte so appreciatingly terms it; a secret, and yet not a secret"esoteric," (εσwτεрos—interior) and yet exoteric ε§άTερоs—exterior)--hidden from the wise and prudent (in their own imaginings), and yet "revealed "—revelo -unveiled to those exercising the faith and the humility of babes. Nor does there exist the problem for which benign nature will not give the response, will we but wisely and trustingly interrogate her. For we know that she

"Never did betray

The heart that loved her.”

"The answer lies around, written in all colors and motions, uttered in all tones of jubilee and wail, in thousandfigured, thousand-voiced, harmonious nature; but where is the cunning eye to whom that God-written apocalypse will yield articulate meaning? We sit as in a boundless phantasmagoria and dreamgrotto; boundless, for the faintest star, the remotest century, lies not even nearer the verge thereof; sounds and varied-colored visions fit around our sense; but Him, the unslumbering, whose work both dream and dreamer are, we see not-except in rare, halfwaking moments, suspect not."*

There, now! Is not that glorious? Go, then, and venerate the seer.

Time," we get through the Saxon tima-analogous in all the Teutonic dialects,† and allied to the Latin tempus which we know to be from Téμvw-and implying, consequently, the cutting off, or separating of day and night by the sun. See how a purely metaphysical relation will take its appellation from an intensely physical radix. Past," too, if connected, at its base, with the Latin paseo and the Greek TаTέw, and the Sanscrit pad, to go, denotes but the stepped over, the "by

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† Dan. Time; Swed. Timma; Icel. Time; Gael. or Erse. Tim or Tym. Compare also with the French Temps; It. and Port. Tempo; Sp. Tiempo.

gone;" as, referring to the same figure, we say, "Future," again, is the about to be. Now, this seems metaphysical

enough, but let us analyze a little, and see what resolution it will give us. "Future," we know to be but the future participle-futurus--of the verb esse, to be,-evidently, however, it is from a different i. e. the secondary root. But this secondary root is, undoubtedly, to be found in the obsolete fuo; which with pú are probably twin offshoots from the Sanscrit bhú. Now, púw carries the idea of growing, arising, coming into being; but there is a primary signification lying back of this, namely, that of being brought forth, begotten; the "future," therefore, is that which is continually being brought forth from the womb of time. The "present" is the præsens (præes i. e. præ and ens)—the being, the lying before us. Anent which, and to wash down all this etymologic jargon, take the following from the Romaunt of the Rose:

"The time that passith night and daie,
And restilesse travailith aie,
And stelith from us privily,
That to us semith sikirly

That it in one poinct dwellith ever,
And certes it ne restith never,
But goeth as fast and passeth aie
That ther n'is man that thinkin maie
What time that now present is,
Askith at these grete clerkis this;
For men thinken redily
Thre timis ben ypassed by

The time that maie not sojourn,
But goth and maie never returne,
As watir that doune runnith aie,
But never droppe returne maie."

"Skill" (Scylan) is the distinguishing, dividing, separating faculty. "Probity" is no other than what is probus-approved of, found good, comme il faut ! "Providence" is precisely foresight-and applied to the deity it is indicative of him whose luminous glance penetrates into the obscurest abysses of the coming time; and the uniform and unitoid rhythm of whose existence constitutes at once, past, present, and future. cere" (if Webster's derivation of it be worth anything) is sine cerâ-without wax i. e. pure honey,-how expressive! "Serious" is the being unable to "raise" a single laugh (serius i. e. sine risus). "Frugal" is strictly fruit bearing (frugalis, fruges), yielding profit; so it would appear that frugality is not merely a negative, but a decidedly positive

"Sin

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quality. To "exist” is exsisto—to stand forth, to appear, to become manifest; and one's "existence" is his manifestation, his showing forth. Religion" is the binding over again, the new bond. "Intrinsic" is inly,-having relation not to the deceptive outside, but to that which is within. "Interest" is literally

inter esse-to be among; and hence that which concerns, &c. "Instinct" is an incitement, an impulse, an instigation. "Enthusiasm" is évlovoιaoμós— ενθουσιασμόςév0ɛoç —possessed by a God-or one who ένθεος imagines that he is. Spinoza, then, to whom Novalis, on account of his fervency in asserting the existence of a divinity in To Tаv-gave the appellation of the "God-intoxicated man, perhaps presents us with the most striking radical representative of this faculty.

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"Essence" is the being-the ensthat which there is of ultimate and spiritual in anything. Quintessence" is a compound of the preceding; and is, as it implies, the fifth essence, that is, according to the alchemical notion, the last and highest essence of power in a natural body. Perhaps, however, it may have reference to the Pythagorean theory of numbers-of which we all know a little; and from which, could we but get into the centre thereof, we might derive some deep enough lessons. That there be "intrinsic life-numbers in things and their manifold relations" seems to the reflective mind a matter not difficult of credence. And perchance in the great onward rhythm of existence there is more of mathematics than we might be apt to suppose. On the summit of intellectual grandeur, says Madame de Stael, the genius of Homer and of Newton join hand in hand, and so in life. High over us sound the eternal spheremelodies:*

"The cadence of the whirling world Which dances round the sun."

And all around us trembles "the æolian harp of the universe," resonant with jubilee and wail, beating time to the march of intellect,-onward, onward, ever onward towards the goal of perfection.

"The future hides in it
Gladness and sorrow;
We press still thorow,
Naught that abides in it
Daunting us,-onward !"

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Goethe.

*It is believed that the reference Pythagoras had in his "sphere-music" was to the harmonical arrange ment of the spheres, realizing the relations of numbers.

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611

IN

AMERICAN WINES.

(Concluded from page 511.)

the last number, by the help of theoretical sails and statistical rudder, we coasted pleasantly along the margin of this great subject; here and there mapping down the prominent land-marks, not indeed with the hope of making a reliable chart, but for the purpose of calling attention to it that others may so do. In fact, it is not the labor of one, but the united labors of many that can accomplish this object; the experience of the vine dresser of the South is distinctly different from that of his brother of the North; the same grapes do not flourish in different latitudes, nor are the modes of culture at all similar. In taking, then, a general view, we must necessarily be imperfect in particulars; not from want of material, but, on the contrary, from the abundance of it. Our tables, two in number, are laden with books, pamphlets, papers, reviews, statistics, letters-on grape culture; on wines, native and foreign; on diseases of the vine; on insects that prey upon it; on diseases of the human family cured by it ("The Grape Cure"); on temperance and intemperance; on the evils of rum and ranting; on raisins and reasons; and on a host of analogous subjects; nevertheless, with such appliances and means as we have we shall proceed, and, as St. Paul did, when he saw the three taverns, "thank God and take courage.'

How many kinds of grapes are native to the United States it is impossible to say; Dr. Rafinesque catalogues forty species and one hundred varieties in a little hand-book of vines, published in 1830, which he offers "as the result of his observations during many years, and many thousand miles of travels."* Since this was published, so much new territory has been added to our great Republic, that we are scarce able to enumerate the States themselves, much less the vines they produce. The vast countries of Texas and California, profuse in native vines of extraordinary productiveness, would even employ the naturalist in this pursuit for many years, perhaps for a lifetime.

In the old world, "the climate most congenial to the culture of the vine ex

tends from the 35th to the 50th degrees of north latitude; and it is between these points that the most celebrated vineyards, and the countries richest in wine, are placed," so says Henderson. It is singular that these are almost precisely the geographical limits of the United States, north and south; and as we have already said, there is not one native grape in Europe, so we may also say, that there is not a State in the Union without many-from Canada to the Rio Grande, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Not inaptly then was the new world called "Vine Land” There by its discoverers the Danes.

was always something appropriate and significant in that strong old Norse tongue.

Although the accounts from California and Texas are very far from complete in regard to grape culture, yet all statements, all travellers, agree as to the wonderful profusion of vines in both countries, and their great productiveness. Wine is now made on the Pacific, not in abundance, but still with results so satisfactory, that it will be but few years before it is an established source We hear of of revenue to the State. one farmer there raising 90,000 pounds of grapes annually; of premiums given for the best wines; of bunches weighing from one to eleven pounds each.† Their grapes also are represented to be larger than ours, "large as plums," and superior in color and flavor. The berries too are very tender and the skins thin. The vines are pruned down to two, or two and a half feet from the ground, and the large, indolent masses of fruit rest upon the lap of the common mother. Above the surface grapes, and below it, gold. We might almost quote the words of Lear, and say to our youngest daughter, California:

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*American Manual of Grape Vines and the Method of making Wine, &c., &c., by C. S. Rafinesque, A. M. Ph. D. Professor of Natural History, &c., &c., Phila. 1830.

Trans. American Institute, 1852. We have been told that bunches weighing twenty pounds each, are not infrequent in California.

The grapes of California are called Catawba," by some "Sweetwater." The berries are oblong, egg-shaped, of a light reddish-brown color; in flavor, delicious; they are destitute of pulp, and so tender as to be difficult to handle. Like all the rest of our native grapes of any value, they are claimed to be "of foreign origin." History is thus falsified, and our vines robbed of their birthright. Major Adlum discovers a fine grape in the gardens of Mr. Johnson, near Frederictown, Md., and another in the gardens of Mrs. Scholl, of Clarksburgh. He says, "A German

priest, who saw Mrs. Scholl's vine in full bearing, and when ripe, pronounced it the true Tokay, and says he saw the same kind growing in Tokay, in Hungary!"

The Schuykill Muscadell was christened "The Cape grape," as Mr. Longworth says, "to give it reputation," and to this day, many believe it to be a native of Africa, although its wild brethren are found in plenty all over Pennsylvania. The Isabella, formerly called the Laspeyre grape, was lost to us in this wise. A stage-coach broke down in the neighborhood of Mr. Laspeyre's farm, near Fayetteville, N.C., and a Spanish gentleman, who was a passenger, happening to ask if there were no grapes cultivated in the neighborhood, was told of Mr. L.'s vineyard, close by. Upon entering the inclosure, his first exclamation was, "Ha! you have got my countryman here. I know him well, and it is one of the finest grapes in Spain !"* "The Herbemont," also, is said to be an alien, although Mr. Longworth states it is a common wild vine of the west and south: and the "Scuppernong" derives its parentage "from cuttings washed ashore from a stranded ship on the stormy coast of North Carolina !" Thus our American grapes are at once" recognized," so soon as they emerge from their native forests and swamps, just as some obscure person becomes known in fashionable society

by falling heir to an estate. It is useless to reply to arguments based upon such trivial testimony in regard to the European extraction of our favorite grapes. There is one expression suitable and serviceable to dispose of this, and kindred matters. It is a word derived from the Sanscrit, we believe. It has four letters. With a proper emphasis, it may be understood by any person, even with a very limited knowledge of English. The first letter is "B," the second “O,” the the third "S," and the fourth "H!" Every vine dresser of any experience knows that it is useless to attempt the cultivation of any foreign grapes in this country. They have been tried again and again. The late lamented Downing says "Mr. Tognot is sanguine as to the introduction of the foreign grape in this country for open vineyard culture. The thing is impossible. Thousands of individuals have tried it on a small scale in various parts of the Union; and several persons-as, for example, Mr. Loubat, Mr. Longworth, &c., of great experience abroad or knowledge at home, joined to abundant capital, have tried it on a large scale. The result, in every case, has been the same; a season or two of promise, then utter failure, and, finally, complete abandonment of the theory. The only vineyards ever successful in America are those of American grapes." We might add here that one foreign grape has been successfully acclimated here, and only one. The "Traminer," from the Rheingan, a small berried vine, has been persuaded to bear with us, by Mr. Longworth. But this, which, on account of its saccharine qualities, is cultivated at home to mix with the hard, dry wines of the Rhine, is of little value in America, except as a table grape ; the wine it produces does not amount to much. If we take into consideration, also, that our Isabellas, Catawbas, &c., still retain the musky taste peculiar to all our wild grapes; that they have not yet been cultivated long enough to lose that

*Spooner on Grape-vines, &c. Brooklyn, 1846. † Joseph Togno, Esq., vine dresser, " Model School," Wilmington, N.C., a writer on grape culture, contributes to the Charleston papers and the Patent Office Reports.

Of the various experiments made with regard to cultivating foreign grapes here, we will mention a few. Mr. Parmentier, of Long Island, established a vineyard of foreign grapes here, and was finally compelled to abandon it. Mr. Loubat planted forty acres at New Utrecht, L. I., with one hundred and fifty thousand imported vines, and they throve not, neither did they bear. Mr. N. Longworth, of Cincinnati, also tried a variety of grapes from Bordeaux, and the vicinity of Paris. These he obtained from M. Loubat's vineyard. They did not succeed. From Madeira he imported six thousand vines of their best wine grapes; these were rooted up, after trial, as worthless. Lastly, he procured seven thousand vines from the Jura, and, after a trial of five years, these also were thrown away. The vine-dresser of Vevay, Ia., attempted the culture of vines from Switzerland with no better success. The imported vines planted in the early vineyards of Pennsylvania, Alabama, and Kentucky all died after a few years. And yet there is not a grape of any reputation to be found in the United States (with the exception of the Catawba) that is not reputed to be of foreign origin. Bosh!

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