The Portland gazette., 1822-09-24
ON THE UTILITY OF COLLEGES.

sensible farmer being questioned whether
he designed to contribute any thing To Doyton
College on account OF its late accident .by fire.
replied = have nothing to do with Colleges"
lie seems to have thought that much s1JJr -
lost to society by studying at a College and
that this loss IS not always counterbaiancct by
any gam as to common sense. But be should
have reflected, that society is a vast machine
composed OF various parts; and th at to be prop
ery conducted, it must have tile assistance M
agents OF every description. The majority of
these agents doubtless must excel in bggily
powers but others are wanted who can render
service by their intellectual faculties, aud 9th
ers again who can make themselves useful by
mixture OF ooth classes ofqualites. Allowing
therefore that the sole merit of College de-
penas on It's faVoring intellectual improvements,
1t may still, on this single account have beneh-
cial effects society,"
Since many may require an enumeration of
some OF the specific advantages which society
y to derive from college, an attempt will here
be made to notice portion Of them after we
have offered two or three intr0aurfory remarks
| Ihe hrst remark to be offered under this head
IS, that since certain useful branches of knolyl.
edge can only be acquired by study this study
should be pursued where suitable buildings and
well selected teachers with proper assortment
provided; where emulation is Insured by hayinr
associates in study, and BY public examinations
and pubic exercises; and where reasonable
hope cHists, that good discipline will prevail
| throus' Jut the whole establishment. Our sec
ond remark Is, that although the customary
studies at College are such, as men OF good
. understanding anu experience in our own and
other countries have Judged we'll suited TO the
oOJecti yet II mistakes Of Judgment on this
point have occurred, they are open to correc-
ton. Our last remark here is, that our Col
ieges are free establishments. None are con-
strained to attend hen and none are eacLud.L
vino possess rudlments of ceratin knowledge.
and can produce testimonials ola regular cor
duct, anc pay the attendant charges.
III OF Colleges theD, thus appointed and rer-
ulated, that we are pow to speak. The arcu-
ments however employed on this occasion will
have no reference to the recent calamity az
Bowdoin College; the remedy for which IS 50
Tar provided, as to make new .orts on this SUP
Ject unnecessary.
l. An education at College, while it crey-
cases the mind, contributes also TO its c1.larg.-
meat; il stores il likewise with various materi-
ais 1t produces habits of application it exhib
IFS instructive examples Of method and arrange
ment; 1t tends TO form a correct manner t.t,,
~ writing and speaking; it helps to soften Of
lensye manners; II produces 4 regard for the
decencies OF life il provides an interesting oc-
cuPation Tor leisure hours which may other
wise De less innocentiy spent il generally ban
ishes superstition and many erroneous preudices;
II creates an interest in behalf OF objects useful
70 society; and il iayors that happy union Of cir
thsdtton, kno1icGge, morality ana religion. which
not only confirms our pre-cminence over tLe
brute creation, but enables US 10 perfect and ex-
all our own natures.*
Inc remark Is familiar, that brues are only 10 be
improved lndirfduaAy the knowlcdge oi one race of
orutes except as to isw parrcGiars not being com
nuncabie u lts cestsacG'ts Nheieas individuals uf
ne human iace can convey large portion ot their
Ahow4euEe both 70 tneiT somg gcraries ana teir sur-