The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-12-12


coirabic inattenticn, il selecting for them
1t coapaniona and competent Instructors
During idancy they are usually committed
TO the care OF Siopes, and from them ac-
qune their first Impressions OF right and
wrong. Over these teachers they are taught
OF course 10 exercise sovereign authority
whereby they acquire what the infatuated
parent calls proud, independent spirit
but what is in realty Il pctulant impotence
o. All restraint and control. With this ia
oiconS preparation they are sent about the
age OF ten OF twelve, % some country school
no matter who is 1T the head OF ii, to CON
Their lessons three or four hours in The day,
ana be kept ont OF mischief" From time
iminemorial they have had in these scmina-
ries, their hours, not of relaxation, bu.
piay--thcir stated holy days OF which every
Saturday and sun lay make a part-,hcir
long and frequent vacctions--aua 10 these re-
RODS or Instantaneous, the young lad is
continually looking forward, because his in
structor has no ability to instil into his ten
der minc. the love OF knowledge. and the
desire of honorable distinction. Thus,
then, he is lett o his own propensi,ies with
little or no aid-the advantages cf Ii
teraturc and the necessity Of iaGour, ua-
IcXPlalned-the attractions OF play and
'dleness. always prcsent-amd it's ne,i-
DDS by the regulations OF the school, continu-
ally recurring. Under this discipline which
often continues several most important years,
is IL wonderful that the dawnng OF inteliec-
tual light is never visible, or that genius al
Ter shooting into wild, irregular, and useies.
Insurance, prematureiy DECAYS More
competent instructors, and more propi-
tlous scene or instruction, are too at this PEI
rod OF lie, frequently Intellectual to repair
the errors and remedy the evils that have
passed-coi.firmcdh habits are not easily sha-
ken off-inertness and irresolution pursue
their victim. Incidence, whose attacks are
So dangerous, because they are incessanl,
invites him to repose. Like Lucifer, he
is always at the elbow, watching an uu-
guarded moment to iatrude himself-and
ike him he seldom fails of success un-
less opposed by strong resolutions, for
tlhed by much PREVIOUS hreharation.--
out without this previous PREPARATION an6i
when the young prNselyte to literature h IS
tae detects OF his early education to supply
oy cncreased eXertiOn, and nothing i'm the
state OF the society around HIM t. strengthen
ms resolutions or Controul and refine his
taste; who cannot predict the issue of the
contest?
Yet there is another error prevalent in
Virginia still more destructive TO the grow ,h
OF Intellect and to the formation of great and
highly improved characters, ,han even false
Ideas OF the proper objects of Education, or
an lnJudicious selection OF M persons to Con-
duct II. Al the age Of l6 or 10, most young,
men begin to suspect that much of their time
mas been misapplied and to lament the cor,
sequences Of their foiiy-They begin to find
cut that there is something beyond lissipat.-
on and sensual enjoyment WORTHY their at
tention-and to feci, that there is in s,.cicty. a
character, more estimablc than any, Of which
they had hitherto formed Il conception. The
Examples Of their illustrious ,orefathers
must sometimes penetrate their hearts, and
Slndie there a holy emulation whilst the liv-
ing lights Oh our country ,zviH occasionally fash
across their path, and dazzle and delight
them with their spiendour. Happy would
IL De Tor the youth who should eel, even at
TINS age, the generous impulse OF noble
ambition II he could and zyould, without in
terruPtion, steadily obey it for Few years
in many mind the seeds / greatness have
been sown much later, and with proper cui-
tire rewarded the toll # the husbandman.-
Bat Alas the age OF puberty and freedom is
rapidly advancing-At twenty o!e my young
country men imagine, they are, whether qua
ii1icd or not, to enter the great world, ans
eniodfh OH the tempestuous Ocean of Life
lhe habits, manners, and pursui,s of you. il
are to be laid down, and the port, and dig
mty, and employments Of manhood TO be as
sumed. The period of Education and STUD
1" HO" Thought 10 DC ONSl their Ci!Q "a
talnet-and nothing wanting but to engage
III the active avocationS Of some profesaic.i
which III go cases out Of hundred closes 81,
prospect to further Improvement. Nor i
this All Tor most unfortunately every yoIn
man OF least promise among us, is ethc
promPten by ms own vanity and lnisguij,
amoltlond or urged by the Solicitations OF his
III Judging, friends, TO become DIT this itica.
ie'iod OF ms life, candidate for lie sislauyc
non 'drS-I vail say nothing OF the time thu,
Is lost III ms pursuit, OF the immoral and
degrading arts Commonly employed TO crown
Ii with success. The pcrnicious influence
Oh the eiectloneering system upon those whu
practise 1t, and and those upon whom it is
practised, requires more serious and dis.
tinot consideration than any, can now bcs
low upon 1T. Will suppose the young can
uidate installed into his new dignity-whicil
ne mas attained by honorable mears-with-
out de0asinS himself, or corruptjng ;thers.
is there any thing inhis situation to conIpen-
safe MIN, TOR the many sacrifices he is for
Ced to make! Our Legislative halls are no
longer schools for wisdom OF eloCuence--no-
thihS especially CaT be more unlike a convo-
cation or sagcS and orators, than thc local
assemblies i'll the several states-lEheh a
great CRISIS indeed calls for extraordinary
cXcrtIon, talents hocS to the Theatre where
they arc required. But in ordinary times
q IN nc usual routine OF duty, the business
Of local Legislation is as insipid as the actipe
men who transact II, are unimproving-
he division OF a county, TIE o0eninr Of a
fIneN