establishment of civil liberty is the enclosure of the waste, by which each surrenders his right of common, for the quiet possession and culture of a separate allotment.

The transition from the natural to the civil state, subjects man to responsibilities to which he was not before liable. In the former he indulges his appetites, solely with reference to himself; in the latter, he can only indulge them, with reference to the society of which he is a member: and this he is bound to do, first, by the criminal restraint which the law imposes on actions of importance; and, secondly, by the moral restraint, which public opinion imposes on those of lesser degree.

As the natural was the first state of man, it may be inferred that this state would have continued, had not a persuasion arisen that social order would be more conducive to happiness. As the public good was the motive, so it must continue the end of civil society; and for this reason, that there is no obligation imposed on mankind, save their advantage, to maintain the social in preference to the individual state of existence. upon this principle the laws of a free people are founded, namely, that they shall impose no restraints on the acts of individuals, which do not conduce in a greater degree to the general good.

And

Whether man has benefitted by the introduction of civil society, is a moral problem, which, like other problems, not mathematical, can only be solved by inferential testimony. Two reasons make strongly, and, I think, decisively in favour of the affirmative conclusion. First, mankind had their choice, and it is contrary to human nature to suppose that they would voluntarily have left their natural state, had not experience shown them that the social was the better. Secondly, by the surrender of a portion of his natural freedom, man appears to have been well compensated by civil enjoyment. Civilization only divests man of a fraction, not the whole of his primitive liberty: all those acts that are personal to himself, he may continue to indulge in as freely as the savage, subject to no other control than public opinion, which he may defy if he pleases. The law restrains. public deeds, and this it does because they are hurtful to others, not to the perpetrator only. Such restraint is civil liberty, and he who seeks greater licence, can neither be just nor rational; he can scarcely be a man, but something worse.

The establishment of civil rights entirely supersedes the operation of the natural rights, which previously governed the relation of individuals. The right of revenge, of the strong to oppress the weak, and of all those powers which are supposed to appertain to the wild justice of nature, are abrogated by the institution of society. The law is then supreme arbiter: it may be a bad law, but while it continues unrepealed, it is the sole rule, the only tribunal of resort to establish a claim, or redress an injury.

It is unnecessary to illustrate further the distinction between natural and civil liberty. The first is a chimera, like the points and lines of mathematicians; but, like them, it serves as a basis for reasoning, and enables us to deduce the real from the abstract. Alexander Selkirk might possess his natural rights in Juan Fernandez, but nobody else. Two men could not live a day on a desolate island-they could not meet at the fountain for a pitcher of water, without settling the question whether age, strength, or first comer, should have precedency; and the termination of the dispute would be the establishment of civil order between them."

A SMILE.

BY MISS E. C. HURLEY, OF NEW YORK.

THERE is a smile of sweetness,

Which beams upon the face,

Caus'd by benevolence which glows,
T'ward all the human race.

There is a smile of tenderness,
That speaketh from the eye,
Unnotic'd by the world at large,
"Tis answer'd by love's sigh.

There is a smile endearing,
When friendship calls it forth,
A rival to most other smiles,
For its intrinsic worth.

Yet oh! there is a smile more pure

Than ever friendship shows,

It is a smile more exqu'site
Than passion ever knows.

This yieldeth pure felicity,
No other can impart;

It rises from no weaker source
Than a fond Mother's heart.

The smile of sweet approval,
Without a trace of guile,

Oh! bless'd the consciousness to feel,

We merit such a smile.

Such is the smile of value,

Essence of earth's best love,

Which fades not till it mingleth,

With Heaven's smile above.

Not for the wealth of worlds on worlds,

Should one forego that smile,

'Midst all of life's dark miseries,

"Twill be its hoard the while.

That eye so fondly beaming,
That sweet confiding look,
Is stamp'd forever on life's page
Gives value to life's book.

Oh! who would trust the heart with one,

Who lightly could esteem,

The cheering, soothing, holy smile,

Which from such source doth beam.

GRAND DINNER OF THE MANCHESTER UNITY OF ODD.

FELLOWS.

GENERAL SIR DE LACY EVANS, in the chair.

By some strange association of ideas, Odd-Fellows and mere conviviality have become identified. The public at large are, in fact, utterly ignorant of the real purposes of a society which has religion for its basis, and charity for its aim. The Manchester Unity of Odd-Fellows is composed of a vast number of highly respectable individuals, whose objects are to relieve the sick, and aid the orphan and the widow. A certain number of lodges form what is termed a district; at the head of every district is a Grand Master, a Deputy Grand, and a Corresponding Secretary. The Grand Board of Direction is in Manchester, and from thence have emanated all laws regulating the society. The Manchester Unity is not to be confounded with the mere merry dogs formerly known as Ödd-Fellows; the principle of the present society is pure philanthropy.

The dinner of Monday last, which took place at White Conduit House, was the second in commemoration of the formation of the society, and General Sir De Lacy Evans took the chair. The company, about 500 in number, sat down at four o'clock to a repast prepared and superintended by Mr. Rouse, whose skill, either as regards a hot dinner or a cold collation, is perfectly indisputable.

When the cloth was drawn, the gallant Chairman gave "The Health of Her Majesty."

This toast was not responded to pro formâ, but the entire company, with the ladies who filled the gallery, gave a prolonged cheer for the beloved Queen of the Isles.

The next toast was, "Prince Albert and the Prince of Wales." This was succeeded by an appropriate song by P. V. Fletcher.

"The Queen Dowager, Patroness of the Odd-Fellows' Unity, and the rest of the Royal Family."

The CHAIRMAN then, in a brief speech, proposed, "Prosperity to the Manchester Unity of Odd-Fellows."

This toast, which included all lodges in unity, was received with tremendous cheering, and followed by an appropriate song by Bro. Sparks. After which Provincial Corresponding Secretary ROE said-That so much had already been uttered and written concerning the Order, that it would be perfectly hopeless to say any thing new on the subject; but still he would not shrink from the task, but would endeavour to state a few facts for the information of such of their friends who are not yet members.— He then read some documents, from which it appeared that the Order was in a most flourishing condition, numbering now 368 districts, nearly 4,000

lodges, and upwards of 250,000 members. He stated the increase of the Order during the last five years, to have been rapid beyond all previous comparison, being at the rate of 20,000 members and upwards per annum. That at the present time the Order was in the receipt of near 300,0007. per annum, which sum was expended in the relief of sick and depressed brethren, and that the surplus fund of the institution was now over 400,0007., which he held to be a fair proof of its prosperity and efficiency.Mr. Roe remarked that the origin of the Order was lost in antiquity, but they grounded their claim to public notice upon a better foundation than ancient origin, he meant their utility and the benefits they conferred upon their members; as instances of which he named their allowances in sickness-their grants of pecuniary aid to distressed members-their funeral donations-their perambulating relief, which enabled a brother to travel for employment all over the kingdom; .and last, and best of all, he said they had their fund for the protection of the widow and orphan of deceased brothers, and shortly would have a fund for the protection of the aged and superannuated members. The worthy corresponding secretary, who was much cheered, concluded an excellent speech by calling on those who had not yet joined to do so, and share those benefits enjoyed by the brethren of this unity.

After the applause had subsided, the CHAIRMAN gave-" Continual prosperity to the North London District."

Mr. LANCASTER, Provincial Deputy Grand Master, apologized for the diffidence which he said oppressed him, in addressing so numerous and brilliant an assemblage, and explained that the North London District was yet but a young branch of their wide-spread unity, being only established in the year 1839, and then consisting of but two lodges, and only about 100 members; but so prosperous had been their course that they now could number 2,500 members, and 38 lodges, all of which were, he believed, in a flourishing condition. He stated that either in their benefits, their medical aid to sick brothers, their widows' and orphans' fund, or any other of the usual benefits of the Order, they were as liberal, and as well able to be liberal, as any district in the unity. He stated that in his opinion their particular district was destined to fill an important page in the history of Odd-Fellowship, from the zeal with which they were carrying out its pure principles. He said, in allusion to the superannuation, that it had commenced in this district, and that one lodge alone had accumulated near 1007. towards the accomplishment of this noble project, and that other lodges were now employed in striving to form a library, and thus add an intellectual to the many physical benefits conferred by their Order upon its members; and that a committee was now in existence, whose object was, if possible, to establish a school, where the offspring of their poorer brethren might receive a sound moral education. Mr. Lancaster said that since their last anniversary the North London District had succeeded in opening a lodge in France, which he felt was a triumph to the Order, and would be a benefit to the whole family of Man, as uniting nations in bonds of brotherhood more binding than treaties of peace. He expressed, in the name of his district, the gratitude he felt at the compliment paid them by their honourable Chairman, their visiting friends, and last, not least, by the ladies, and hoped their prosperity would continue.

The next toast was "Prosperity to the Widows' and Orphans' Fund,"

to which President FAULKNER, Past Provincial Grand Master, responded in a brief speech, in the course of which he intimated that, after satisfying all classes, they had 7007. in hand. (Loud cheers.)

Mr. RoE then proposed the health of the Chairman.

General Sir DE LACY EVANS acknowledged the compliment, spoke in high terms of the society, and concluded by proposing the health of "the Ladies," a toast which we need not say was drunk with the greatest cordality. On the Chairman vacating his seat the company retired to the grounds, and on the boards of the "theatre" P. G. GRIFFITHS, of the Lord Portman Lodge, delivered an address entitled "The Mission of the Guardian Angels."

FAVOURITISM IN FAMILIES.

PARENTAL affection, with all its amiableness, and its high utility, is liable to some unhappy weaknesses, which often lead to fatal and distressing results. When indulged to an extravagant degree, without being tem pered by that judicious severity which is required to keep in check the wayward and imperfect understandings of children, it completely mars their education, or, to use a common and expressive phrase, spoils them. When indulged partially among the various members of a family, its effects are hardly less fatal, while its criminality is seldom attended with the

same excuse.

The first of these faults is fortunately rare; otherwise the native wickedness of the human heart would not be nearly so much repressed in grown society as it is. But the more guilty, though less fatal weakness, of showing an undue favour to a part of a family, to the exclusion of the rest, is much more common, if indeed it may not be said to pervade, more or less, the bosom of every existing parent. It requires little effort to show that this is one of the most cruel and unreasonable of all vices-though, seated as it is amidst the unapproachable mysteries of the heart, there may be more difficulty in administering to it even a slight degree of correction. External individuals are generally surprised to find that the preference of the parents, where it exists, is not occasioned by any superior merit or more engaging appearance in its objects, but more frequently seems to arise from the very absence of those qualifications. There may, it is true, be cause for the preference, where its object or objects are less favoured by nature than the rest; nay, humanity demands, in such cases, that the affections of the parents should be called forth in larger measure, to compensate, as far as possible, for the deficiencies of nature. But the preference often exists where there is inferior temper and character, without any peculiarity of organization to render it excusable. Love is expended where there is no love in return-where the disposition, on the contrary, is so harsh and cold, that Love, like the bird sent out by Noah, cannot find in it whereon to place his foot-while, on the other hand, children of docile and affectionate character, who might amply repay the fondness and care of a parent, are neglected. There is something so irrational, as well as so unjust, in all this, that observers are lost in astonish