Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1813-05-10
FOR THE GAZsTrE.
Education Of Children.

1ha best rules al colauct are drawn from
observations upon common life. When we
see actually presented before us an object to
be attained, or an evil to be avoided. We sef
ourselves TT work IN e.ins al and are IN liulc
danger of wandering into die speeulstions.
I Here is the difference between The mere
epe culsust, and the man of business. The
ME in bis closet imsgines insiaeces OF mis-
conduct and misery, sad. with faneed lngen
nj ), deyses remedy for each while The
other, noung men and manners as ibey pass
before him, skes out the hidden spiings OF
evil, traces their ~lndngs, and e,tter iu,ns
them IN the end 10 good. or stops them IN
their Course. The iolmer ma. flourish more
oR The page Of the moralis, aud give more
entertainment TO The imaglna,lan but the
latter IS much the most useful man.
/ Observation will readily suggest TO any
one, vssAt s.sasasa, csste Fl ssfl-,rs IN tbs
common business of lite, is a want Of steady
application. Few men are dehclent III spur.
it TO form reSolu ions, and engage with ca.
gerness in executing them but many Ind
their hgmRess desert them, before the ob.
iect is attained. little obstacle spois all
their confidence, and they are soon " ing
Out Of thelr course a. srdenay as they enter
cd 1t. Associated with such fckleness, he
greatest talents & requirements are Oh htue
value. They may, 10 be sure, excite admit
ration they my glitter for ,noment, but
do mo- sline with steady and useful light
Tothe possessor they are mere Lid Tor van
ity, AID oisen entail upon him lasting
wretchedness.
Hence n primary object in the manage
meat IT children should be 10 tiyssnn them
habits of regular attention. With reference
to this point, IN ny things night be sad
there is opportunity here sat Tor lew.
We should indulge wl,h CAUTION their
natural disposition to wander from an I'M
portan object after cnriosiues. II IS no; un.
common ~ allow ,heir attention 10 DE chief.
! ~ enk aged, even while they are ignorsn,
Of the FIRST rudlments OF sys1emasicsl knoWl-
edge, in acqu, rms a smsttering Of the high.
er branches of science. They are taught
few wonderful facts IN philosophy, nasural
his ory, &c. and are led 10 look upon such
requirements as the essential part Of IN un-
Common education. The Partially OF parerts
AID friends. deligaled .i.h such marks OF
early maturity, encourages the idea the
child is PRAISED ior his proficiency, Of course
delighted wi,h his nigh atialamenls, and
Soon begins - look with contempt on the
humble Jigading OF less honorable study.
n sseass To hlri,se,f 10 have oyerleaped all
The intermediate steps, aud ascended the
hi ot science al one gigantic stride. NJta.
ing is more fatal 10 real improvement. than
such ideas in The m nds OF children, These
scoui' erfenls, except Ms OCCASIONAL snusc-
mcnts, or gentle seimulcs 10 cuiI0sii }, are
npt Of the least value. They are 10 real
s fence what wax figure IS real life
qui.e as much gazea Al, 10 be sure, but con-
tanning none OF the mlnnte sysiematical or
gsniza,ion OF animal nature. More than This,
the instability OF m,nd they occasion, the
bad lasle, The misguided ambition, above
MI ,he hatred OF application prevent laying
= foundation for solid educatlon. II IS ~
VAN 20 think OF hurrying INTO science, by
passing highly over IT'S first rudlments.
Various dcuces may be employed Tor zen.
derinH those rudimenls plan, or interesting,
Or novel TO make lhem appear pleasing 10
the cbi'd, orimportsnt To those who Judge OF
his - ticiency bntthey are al, IN substance
toe same. o. the pulpll IS making but pre-
car,ous progress IN learning We would by
no me ans Limit The branches IN which
child may be instructei SON. Of The Oct
difficult may be taught To sdvsnlage, At they
are Taught Systematically from Their prime,
pies, and by graduJ advances. Neiher
would we rot chrd's education Of any Of
its ma ursl .llutements We would, how
eve, be- wars how Ms amusr men,s dssipa
bis s,trnlion, Or corrupt his lsstc for study
into mere Idle curiosity. We would each
him 90 walk before he a.es /. 10 pi.ce his
foot II mly on The earth, be'ofe he likes his
eye upwards on The heavens. There is no
necessity that tins mode of Management