of Algiers was prevented; while the agent of the most powerful nation on earth, from possessing less energy, was himself insulted, and his country placed in the necessity of requiring satisfaction by arms. [Footnote 4: Mr. Shaler quitted Algiers in 1829 having been appointed Consul of the United States in Havana, where he died of cholera in the spring of 1833. He was succeeded as Consul General for the Barbary Regencies, by Henry Lee of Virginia, who remained in that office at Algiers, until the city was taken by the French.] For the Southern Literary Messenger. THE VICTIM OF DISAPPOINTMENT. 'Tis vanishing!--'tis vanishing!-- The last bright star that shed Its cheering light upon a path, Whence all light else had fled! 'Tis vanishing!--'tis vanishing!-- As night steals on the day, And slowly wraps the glowing west, In its dark cloak of gray. So, silently, o'er me advance The shades of dark despair, And fade away the hopes that shone But yesterday, so fair! Aye! when they shone so fair, and seemed As soon to be enjoyed, And I (fond fool!) believed so, came, The blight that hath destroyed! I might have known it would be so! There is an evil sprite, That, ever present, watches me, My every joy to blight! I never grasp'd the cup of bliss, And, raising, thought to sip, But, straight, the envious demon came, And dash'd it from my lip! I never keenly strove to win What heart was set upon, But, when I thought it surely mine, And grasp'd at it--'twas gone! And now, the cherished dream, that hath So long, so deeply blessed-- That gave me heart to struggle on, Hath vanished--_with the rest!_ P. H. For the Southern Literary Messenger. MR. WHITE,--Having long believed that Education was by far the most important subject on which the talents of either public or private men could be exercised, I have ever deemed that man in some degree a public benefactor, who contributed even a mite towards its promotion. To the study therefore of _this subject_, much more than of any other, I have devoted my time and thoughts for the last twenty or thirty years; vainly perhaps, hoping that I also might contribute something in aid of this most momentous work. How far the labor has been productive of any good, must be determined by others; but _their_ approbation, although it would certainly gratify my feelings, has operated, I trust, only as a secondary motive. To contribute something, be it ever so little, towards the good of my fellow creatures, has been the chief purpose of my existence since I came to years of serious reflection; and the consciousness of having achieved this good in any degree, would be (could I once possess it) my highest reward in the present life.