Achievements of the Blind. MEMOIRS OF EMINENT BLIND AUTHORS, WITH BEAUTIES FROM THEIR WRITINGS. THAT man must indeed be depraved, who does not discover in himself some reflection of a divine image, though sin may have blotted and mutilated its form. The whole field of science does not open up to the mind a more pleasing subject for contemplation, or one fraught with more intense interest, than the study of its own mysterious nature. What are the elements. that enter into its composition? Can it exist as distinct from matter, or is it merely the result of physical organization, as sound is the result of vibration? Is the brain only a system of organs, conspiring to produce thought, as melody is produced by musical instruments? How did the mind come in possession of its own identity, or that inward consciousness of a separate existence as distinct from the laws of nature which silently govern matter? How does it put forth volition? In what way do outward manifestations awaken painful or pleasant emotions, and why should it possess that fearful power of perverting its own affections, or destroying its own energies? These are themes upon which every contemplative mind loves to dwell. Speculative philosophy is, however, not without its attendant evils; it may ripen into rank infidelity if not carefully guarded. Investigations of mental phenomena should be conducted with a prayerful heart. The relations which the creature sustains to its Creator, should be kept constantly in view, and no apparent discrepancy or incongruity, should be allowed to shake our faith in the wisdom and goodness of a Supreme Being. Next to an earnest and careful inquiry after God's revealed will to man, the study of man himself is paramount to all others. He who best knows himself, is best able to judge others. Yet, without revealed religion, it is impossible to determine what is laudable in ourselves, without studiously observing what traits of character are lovely or hateful in others. Hence it happens, that biography has been read and admired in all ages, and is found to be of such vital importance to the young. In the history of a great and good man, the youth finds a pattern by which he may mould his character. It is much easier to imitate good examples, than to act well from wise suggestions. It is less hazardous to follow closely in the footsteps of a virtuous and prudent man, whose path has led to honor and distinction, than to mark out for one's self a new course in life. Tread you my steps! 'Tis mine to lead the race, AN ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF HOMER. So little is known of this truly great man, that all our most anxious inquiries concerning him, have been but meagerly rewarded. The vague conjectures of his numerous biographers, serve only to thicken the haze that has settled over his long-since faded pathway. So many fabulous accounts have been given of this prince of poets, by his early biographers, that some rather too skeptical, now deny even his. existence. His wonderful poems, however, (the Iliad and Odyssey,) stand as monuments of his true greatness. They are voices from the grave of the past, floating on the tide of time, breathing in poetic numbers the fire of youth and the frenzy of love. The most reliable sources of information concerning Homer are, perhaps-Bibliotheca Græca, by Fabricus, Wood's Essay on the Genius and Writings of Homer, Cumberland's Observer, Lempriere's Classical Dictionary, Herodotus, Plutarch, and the Encyclopedia Britannica. Various opinions have been entertained respecting the period in which he flourished, the place of his birth, and even his true name. These have been subjects of heated controversies among the learned of all ages. In the most important events of his life's history the most of his biographers agree; namely, that he became blind early in life, after which he completed the Iliad and composed the Odyssey; was a wandering minstrel; that the age in which he lived was unworthy of so great a genius; and that he lived and died in the most abject poverty. It is not the design of the present writers to hazard any conjectures of their own respecting the age in which he lived, or which of the seven illustrious cities-Smyrna, Colophon, Chios, Salamis, Rhodes, Argos, or Athenea, had the honor of giving birth to so great a prodigy; nor will we here offer any comments upon his merits. Some suppose Homer to have flourished three hundred and forty years after the siege of Troy; but according to Herodotus about one hundred and sixty-eight years, and six hundred and twenty-two years before the expedition of Xerxes. The place of his nativity is not certainly known. But the most prevalent opinion among historians is, that he was born at Smyrna, nine hundred years before the Christian era. His mother's name was Crytheis, an orphan left to the care of one Cleonies, her father's friend, by whom she was seduced. This coming to the knowledge of her guardian, he was anxious to conceal it, and accordingly sent her to Smyrna. Crytheis being near her time, went one day to a festival which the inhabitants were celebrating on the banks of the river Melis, where she was delivered of the immortal Homer, whom she named Melesigenes. Crytheis was afterwards married to Phemius, a teacher of music and literature in Smyrna, who likewise adopted her son, and soon found in him marks of extraordinary genius. After the death of Phemius, Homer was left to the management of his father's school; but he was soon after induced to embark on a voyage with a person named Mentes. Having then commenced writing his Iliad, he was anxious to visit the places he should have occasion to mention; and he accordingly traveled through all Greece, Asia Minor, and many other places. From Egypt he brought the names of all their gods, the chief ceremonies of their religion, and a more improved knowledge of the arts. He next sailed to Africa and Spain, and on his return touched at Ithaca, where he was detained for some time with a disease of the eye, which ended ultimately in total blindness. Here he was hospitably entertained by a friend of Mentes, named Mentor, a man of wealth, from whom he learned many things relating to Ulysses, which he afterward made use of in composing his Odyssey. Mentes, on his return to Ithaca, took Homer with him to Colophon; from thence he returned to Smyrna. Being now reduced to the most extreme want, and still cherishing the fond hope that something might yet be done to restore his sight, our poet removed to Cuma. Here he was received with great joy, and his poems highly applauded. But when he proposed to immortalize their city by writing a poem in its |