Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-09-26

out course OF study; or rendered pro-
ductive of support unless recommended
by experience. But it seems any person
may become a school-master without
preparation, or proper qualification, to
country's loss. This evil requires
remedy.
The renovation of old ideas, often at
fords to the mind as much qualification
as the acquisition of new ones. Trhe
classic taste, whether ancient or moderns
can speak volume in a sentence,
smile or a word, but the powers of art
always pay tribute to those of nature.
Correct classic taste delights by the as
sociations it renovates, by the knowledge
it revives, as much as by the instruction
it bestows. Scripture classics are SUI
perior to all others. They never travel
out of the line of propriety, and in at
fording proofs of inspiration, present to
ture, a sublimity of scenery, connexion.
and object without parallel They
possess an elegance suitable to subject,
where nature lives and breathes in every
sentence, and the countenance ola Deity
sheds its benign lustrc over every line
l have often wondered. that when ele-
| mentary education Ii finished, the beau
ties of scripture truth, as to dignity Of
style, purity of morals, and maj estic
views OF omnipotence, are not made tho
first lessons of regular instruction. Ii l
am favored to rear an institution OF my
own in this, my adopted country, so deep
ly do | feel the importance of first inn
pressions on the youthful mind, that this
will be an object of peculiar attention,
not as sectarian, but as Christian, a
teacher Of youth, and q citizen of the
world. Here l could enlarge on other
topics, but wish to avoid details at pre-
sent, as | have promised to enter upon
them, as connected with national educa-
ton and the Lancasterian system, in a
second letter to my friend, Burwell Bas
set. In addressing the present commu-
nication to thee, | have been solicitous
to dwell only on the general topics of
universal education, as connected with
national prosperity.
TO the American people," knowledge
is power, liberty, and peace!" Every
circumstance or means which can be rem
dered conducive to its promotion, will,
| am convinced, be estimated by thee,
and men Of congenial minds, as render
ing more legible, a grand clause IN the
constitutional Charter Of your happiness.
Next 10 the possession OF information,
ii is Of no small consequence thai know
ledge Sboulu become q circulating me-
dinm among you, and hope the day is
not distant when your public spiriG will
induce the training of lectures Oh che
mlstry, eXpcr"nen,ai philosophy, me-
chanics, and the arts OF life, the constella-
tons OF Heaven, and the treasures OF the
Garth; IN connection with some public
body TO sanction their mo ements, and
prepare their reception over The Union.
This will revive the dormant knowledge
of the aged, confer the blessings Of in-
ssruction on the young, and, seconding
the universities, systematically spread
over mighty people, the radient streams
OF intellectual acquisition F.!
In all these views of the subject, it is
essential to keep in mind, the necessity
OF associatng every good with that sim
plicity, which was inculcated by the pre-
cepts of those extraordinary men, whose
examples do honor to the human species.
Infinite wisdom. has ordained, that the
bones OF Children are more liable to bend
thar oreak, as they have little burthen
to support, and need facility to their
growth. In after life the case is differ
erent. The Divine foresight has decreed
that decided conformation takes place,
which gives firmness and vigor to the
foil maturity of the adult man. 1t is
thus with new states, young in legisla.
ton, weakness often attends their first
movements; time and experience ma
ture mental, as we'll as animal strength.
When we consider that children, if
stinted in their food are weak and dwarf
ish in their growth, and ever after SUBJ
iect to constitutional imbccility. Thus
we may appreciate the weakness attend
ing the advanced age of nation, if its
early advantages have been neglected
If a nations good principles have not
adequate nutrition at the period of their
growth, the opportunity once lost can
never be recalled for there is no such
thing in nature as second growth, though
there may be second childhood Per-
haps the period is already at hand, when
the weight of instructed mind in nalions
will be estimated by the statesman as
part of its effective strength, the matnri-
&c 81,