Brotherly Love.

a monument to the memory of the deceased philosopher , in commemoration of ivhom this festival , for as such it Avas regarded , Avas instituted . The aisle and galleries jwesented as lively an ensemble as gay dresses , animated countenances , and that abandon of manner for ivhich on such

occasions ^ our mercurial neighbours are remarkable , coidd realise . The building itself was not deficient in attractive features , for it was a A'enerable Gothic pile , and it ivas richly decorated with carving , while the Avails Avere hung round with exquisite paintings , after the fashion of Eoman

Catholic p laces of Avorship . The hand of genius had there traced in glowing lineaments , various episodes of scriptural history , and pourtrayed in vivid hues the form of the Virgin and the Magdalen , or various saints or martyrs ivho had spread the gospel abroad , or who had sealed tlie sincerity of their faith b y the sacrifice of their lives at the gibbet or the stake . Nor Avere floral decorations wanting , for tlie pillars and galleries were

ivreathed ivith the shrubs of the season , which relieved the sombre character of the structure and the subjects which adorned it , and also imparted a freshness and fragrance to the lvhole scene . To the severe taste of Protestant Eeformers , the edifice Avould have been more agreeable for the purposes of sacred worship , Avithout its adornment , but its general appearance harmonised admirabl y ivith the object to which , on this occasion , it ivas devoted .

The mayor and some of the other magistrates of the town occupied a temporary platform at one side of the church , and immediately opposite , a rostrum was erected for the candidates . The proceedings ivere opened by a venerable ecclesiastic , in a brief and earnest address , in which he implored the divine blessing on all assembled ; and prayed that the competition mi ght not create unpleasant feelings , or

interrupt those sentiments of brotherly love ivhich christians under all circumstances were commanded to cherish . The mayor then stated the object of those ivho ' had instituted the annual assemblage , and then called on all who Avere desirous of competing , to come forward . A silence of some minutes followed , when Simon ascended the rostrum amid the acclamations of the multitude ; for though , as ive have already stated , he was not generally a favourite , still his abilit y ivas reco _ mised .

His address was of that grave and cold description which is suited rather to the meridian of a university than to a popular assembly . The theme selected , was one which was not then as effete as it has now become , namely , the useful as compared with the beautiful . He contended that the former only should be studied by an intelligent being , and in his definition of what constituted utility , altogether excluded the pleasures of imagination . His address , in those days , and in certain coteries , would

De considered ol a very practical character , for it was void of all metaphor , fancy , or fervour , but fidl of dry deduction , and hard and ponderous erudition . However , it possessed solidity , and showed , notwithstanding its materialist tone , that the speaker was ivell-informed and clever . Though •some of the younger auditors would have preferred a more animated address , still they joined in the general applause which greeted Simon