And now, after these remarks upon the formation of the domestic character, need I tell you how it is that the domestic altar has so much to do with the character of the man? Need I tell you that it is a thing to be deplored that the youth of Greece and Rome had not more of the benefits of this altar? And need I point you to the high privileges and holy influences of that altar, to show you how much the advantage you have over those noble youths of other days whose character has so much in it for you to admire? And you who have fathers, and mothers, and brothers, and sisters, and friends, well should you know how to appreciate what I say in relation to the difference between them and yourselves, and ardently should you desire to reap advantage from the knowledge you possess of your position. Treasure, then, as a sacred gift from Heaven, the blessings which this domestic altar affords you. And let your characters be formed in the cultivation and manly exercise of the principles it imparts. Remember that the principles you cultivate, and the character you form in youth, will be likely to be your principles and character for life. And as you would be respected and valued as members of society hereafter; as you would be useful and honored among men, use all your powers to obtain right principles, and to develope those principles into such character, as Americans, you may be proud of. INFLUENCE OF THE DOMESTIC ALTAR IN THE DEVELOPEMENT OF THE PATRIOTIC CHARACTER. And not only to the developement of the social qualities, is the young American indebted to the domestic altar, but he is also indebted to that altar, in a considerable degree, for the developement of his character as a patriot and a Christian. He learns patriotism and religion at the hearthstone. The fire of a country’s love is enkindled in the young heart, and the lisping infant pronounces the name of God with awe. The story of the statesman’s progress to renown falls upon the ears of the child, and in his youth he feels the first impulse of the desire to play the orator before the multitude, and by his eloquence the “listening senate to command.” The deeds of glory that pave the conqueror’s path, are told him, and the pulse of ambition begins to beat while yet the tales of the nursery are ringing in his ears. He hears of battles, and he longs to follow to the field some warlike leader. It is direction rather than encouragement that is needed in the developement of this patriotic character. If there is any thing innate in the human bosom, it would seem to be this feeling of patriotism. And it is fanned into a flame, it is excited and fevered by the unnumbered incidents of patriotic history that crowd upon the expanding and improving mind, and by the appeals of daily occurrences which tend to warm and animate the heart. It is but proper direction that is needed in the cultivation of this feeling. Every child is a patriot. Every boy is both a statesman and a soldier. And