even _accuse_.

Some time after this, a student was indicted for profane swearing; he
was tried, convicted, and punished. After this he evinced a strong
hostility to the government. He made great exertions to bring it into
contempt, and when the next trial came on, he endeavored to persuade the
witnesses that giving evidence was dishonorable, and he so far
succeeded, that the defendant was acquitted for want of evidence, when
it was generally understood that there was proof of his guilt, which
would have been satisfactory, if it could have been brought forward. For
some time after this, the prospect was rather unfavorable, though many
of the students themselves opposed with great earnestness these efforts,
and were much alarmed lest they should lose their free government,
through the perverseness of one of their number. The attorney general,
at this juncture, conceived the idea of indicting the individual alluded
to, for an attempt to overturn the government. He obtained the
approbation of the Principal, and the Grand Jury found a bill. The
Court, as the case was so important, invited some of the Trustees of the
Lyceum who were in town, to attend the trial. The parent of the
defendant was also informed of the circumstances and requested to be
present, and he accordingly attended. The prisoner was tried, found
guilty, and sentenced, if I mistake not, to an expulsion. At his earnest
request, however, to be permitted to remain in the Lyceum, and redeem
his character, he was pardoned and restored, and became perfectly
exemplary in his conduct and character. After this occurrence, the
system went on in successful operation, for some time.

The legislative power was vested in the hands of a general committee,
consisting of eight or ten, chosen by the students from their own
number. They met about once a week to transact such business as
appointing officers, making and repealing regulations, and inquiring
into the state of the Lyceum. The Instructers had a negative upon all
their proceedings, but no direct and positive power. They could pardon,
but they could assign no punishments, nor make laws inflicting any.

Now such a plan as this may succeed for a short time, and under very
favorable circumstances; and the circumstance, which it is chiefly
important should be favorable, is, that the man who is called to preside
over such an association, should possess such a share of _generalship_,
that he can really manage the institu