ABSTRACT
It is not the dignity-the beauty-the importance of what it sees, that alone demands the interest and admiration of the delighted mind. at which is unimportant and common, is invested with an indescribable charm, while that which is inherently great and beautiful, appears in a still more gorgeous light fl ung over it by our own imagination. It is the sense of treading in another region-of beholding and knowing another mighty race of mankindthat possesses the spirit, and throws into all their life, and over all its appearances, the same power with which nature has endowed the people, and the land which she has given to be their seat. at spell which holds the traveller-by which he walks in high imagination through the paths of common life, is granted to the still and solitary student when his mind goes forth on its adventurous speculation, ranging the records of men. To him new scenes are disclosed-a new people arise. He owns the power of their spirit-the very voice of their speech is in his ears-and his imagination fi lls itself from their life, from the emotions of their bosoms, from their whole world of existence. ese feelings, in more or less force, according to the character of the mind, attend upon the communication and intercourse which, through their
language, is opened up to us with another people. ey are an essential part of the interest with which we pursue such studies, though frequently they are not so fully unfolded or developed, and almost rest in the mere strong general impression of communication held with another people.
