Diamonds are much worn in England as ornaments. When converted into powder or dust, the diamond is used with steel instruments to divide pebbles and precious stones. Its use in cutting glass is generally known. Rock crystal, brought from Brazil, is divided into leaves, and ground and polished with diamond dust for spectacles, and other optical instruments.
EXTRACTS FROM WIRT.
"Excessive wealth is neither glory nor happiness. The cold and sordid wretch, who thinks only of himself; who draws his head within his shell and never puts it out, but for the purposes of lucre and ostentation—who looks upon his fellow creatures not only without sympathy, but with arrogance and insolence, as if they were made to be his vassals, and he was made to be their lord—as if they were formed for no other purpose than to pamper his avarice, or to contribute to his aggrandizement—such a man may be rich, but trust me, that he can never be happy, nor virtuous, nor great. There is in fortune a golden mean, which is the appropriate region of virtue and intelligence. Be content with that; and if the horn of plenty overflow, let its droppings fall upon your fellow men; let them fall, like the droppings of honey in the wilderness, to cheer the faint and wayworn pilgrim. I wish you indeed to be distinguished; but wealth is not essential to distinction. Look at the illustrious patriots, philosophers and philanthropists, who in various ages have blessed the world; was it their wealth that made them great? Where was the wealth of Aristides, Socrates, of Plato, of Epaminondas, of Fabricius, of Cincinnatus, and a countless host upon the rolls of fame. Their wealth was in the mind and the heart. Those are the treasures by which they have been immortalized, and such alone are the treasures that are worth a serious struggle."
ON THE ADVANTAGES OF NARROW RESOURCES.
In minds of a certain cast, the title of this essay may possibly excite surprise. It might be imagined that the writer was guided in the choice of a subject, as the Cynic was directed in his tub, by that misanthropy which affects to look on good and evil, with an equal frown; or by that pride which finding itself linked to poverty, strives to dignify the despised partner of its destiny. Yet, in spite of these suggestions, much may be said in favour of those narrow resources, which the superficial view with pity, and the worldling with scorn. And further, the assertion may be hazarded, that they are favourable to individual character and happiness, as well as to the general cause of literature and virtue.
Repeated proofs of the first position, may be drawn from the common scenery of life.—Observe that boy, in the early stages of his education.—Why does he destroy his books, and cast about him his pens and his pencils? Why are his pages the repository of blots, and deformed with dogs-ears, and his volumes alternately his sport, and his footstool? Because he feels that his parents are able to purchase more. Why does he occasionally fix on their contents, a scowling eye, and the bent brow of discontent? Fear of present discipline, or a listless desire of winning the dainties and praises of parental indulgence, are forcing a reluctant attention to his lesson.
Mark that boy at his side. Why does he so carefully use his scanty writing materials, and so faithfully return his books to their place, when his task is finished? Because he has learnt their value by the difficulty of obtaining them. Why does he pursue his studies with unremitting application, yet with a cheerful countenance? Because he considers it a privilege to be permitted to acquire knowledge, and his studies are but a recreation from severer labours. His mind takes its pastime along with its nourishment, while his companion, like a prisoner, is only anxious to escape from durance. One, in toiling to gain instruction, feels himself the indebted party: the other, if he ever submits to it, fancies he has conferred a favour which entitles him to commendation and reward. This diversity of motive, will naturally produce diversity of action; and action, long continued, becomes confirmed into habit. Time, while he palsies the springs of energy, and quenches the ardour of thought, adds force to those habits, which indulgence has fostered and nourished. And will it be supposed that habits of carelessness, watchfulness, and mental indolence, continued through the important period of school education, will have no influence on the future character? Is the productiveness of Autumn, not affected by the poverty of the blossoms of Spring; or the future symmetry of the tree, uninjured by the excrescences of the sapling? No one imagines that early habits of industry, economy, and application, stamped on the character in its formation, will ever be wholly obliterated; why then, is that state of fortune considered as an evil, which aids their implantation by the strength of necessity?
Mark that student at the University. Why is he lounging in the fashionable walks, ogling the ladies, displaying an expensive dress, contracting bills at the confectioner's and tailor's, late at prayers, listless at recitations, satisfied only in the resorts of folly, vanity, and dissipation? Why does he return home, uninformed in mind, undecided in profession, tinctured with extravagance, or involved in debt? Because he knew his parents were rich, and believed that wealth was a substitute, both for science and for virtue.