The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1824-03-05

mat HiafSnts nave DteH uFaa4"u, anu hiit
crops made ca grow, where weeds only
were sern before that the poor youthful
are betteIrd in their condition,
habits and requirements that every thing |
go.s on 18th the appearance OF a flourish |
ing aud improving concern, and that no
debts are contracted, nor any dilheu tiles OF
prcuniary nature experienced
The connexion between the seminary Tor
the poor and the academy fnr the upper
classes, has already been mentioned gene
rally 1t consists in the pains constantly
taken to iuculcate upon each, their relative
dulles towards the other. The pupils of
the academy, whatever be their rank ar
wealth, are sedulUusly taught, that their
first duty is to use the means which TTOvi-
dence has placed Mt their disposal, in way
likely 10 prove beneficial teihe less fortu-
nate members of Sile community. Indis-
cria,ina.e charity, aims giving, end0winS
hospitals, bcstowing pensions, and the va
riotis other modes of beneVelepce which
are so praseworthy in their origin, and so
hurtful III their tendency, Mr.. Felicnbcrs
by no means recommends. A charity
founded on rational principles, as well rs
proceeding from amilble feelings, is alone
patronIzed and exemplfed in this instltu-
ton. The real good of the poer is consul
ted, and not their temporary relief; the
task of maintaining them, or teaching them
tn obtain maintenance by industry and
| frugaliiy, is prescribed to the rich, and not
the moipentary qualification Decomposition
ate feelings. This charity may truly ne
suid TO bless the giv.r as well rs the receiv
or, it requires only his care aud attention,
without diminishing his resources and the
objects of it are rendered valuable to the
community, happy in themselves, and
grateful to the benefactors, who have
made them at once industrious and inde
pendent
We deem Mr.. Fellenherg's plans to be
Just and rational, aud IN their application,
WE perceive, by the evidence of facts, that
they have been practically successful. We
should be glad to see these principles, which
are evidently both just and practical, re.
ccrVcd as they deserve, and applied with
In" necessary variations prescribed by
/ dNcrsItlcs Of situation. Mr.. Fellenbrrg
has clearly shown how much may be per
formed for the improvement of the poor,
moi only wlthoutextrayagan cost, bnt with
profit exactly propertioned to the benefit
bestowed upon The objects of his care"
Were this system even hut partially &C
ted upon in the vicinities OF our large towns,
would soon be perceived. There are, on a
moderate calculation, at the present time,
AT least one hundred thousand children be
tween tire age OF eight and sixteen in the
American states that are now receiving in
struttion IN the charitable institutions, and,
perhaps, out Of that number, not one in ten
oarns the price of loaf of bread in "a week
the time which is not occupied in the
| schools Is wasted in Uice anu idieneSs !; ha
| bits OF dependence are contracted, and
| their parents, from their scnnty means, are
not able to provide for them even the ne
| cessary means of1ife. But were the edn
cation societies 10 establish schools on the
| plan of Mr. FellenberG, their bcnefcence
would he more ludiCiotIsiy administered ;
the objects of their care would be more
permanently benefited, & society strength
eucd by the increase Of Intelligence, moral
ity and industry.
1t is a fact not to he DENIED, that the low
er orders of the community indulge their
| children IN the most systematic idierrss
and IN the ueglect of that prudent economy
which alone can secure 10 them the means
ut comfortable subsistence. The de
| mands upon The charitable and humane are
becoming enormous; thousands and tens
OF thousands of dollars have been bestowed
and the demand is still increasing, and will
continue to increase, till some more rfli
cent system ofinstIuctinn and economy is
adopted But this may be dome by placing
Their children in situations, where the fruits
oi their industry, will defray the exp, nscs
OF Their living and education. A farm ola
few acres, in the neighhorTood of n York.
Philadelphia, Baltimore, &c. and divided
intoconvenlent lots or gardens hich NIGH,
be worked by boys, under the direction of
intelligent nperintendeHts, would produce
vegetable aud other articles for the market,
winch, when sold, would be nearly SUN
Gent 10 dciray the whole expense of the
establishment. This, and the pccuniaIv
assistance allowed Ia cha4itabie schools in
those cities, would place those nurseries of
industry and learning on the most permanent
foundation.
Althou5h we know that most societies of
"eh, however, numerous, wealthy and re
Specialize, are, III general, the last to ad0p, |
any Improvements, yet we cannot but hope !
lhat some ofthr most entertIising and ia |
dlciuus among them who are cxertins every |
nerve To place our charitable and literary
institutions on the most permanent footing.
VIII, at least, make an experiment of this
principle, and establish model schools hich
may he open to visitors and teachers from
every section of oar country.
Before we close this article, we take the
opportunity fcAFressing cur decided opin
ION thatthc teachers ofthose schools should
be men of the most scrupulou,, moral ard :,
religious characters, and well ,ersed il ! :,
r"tnFc and science. We dissent f,t ., H..
notion, that ia man hore ttco ;a,ns IN Ifs
hend, he ran teach one Of them D,rfec,iy ~
some one else. This, in partial 1uiny "r
Hiew' may be admissible, bat we link 'i thar
!; person must be but a .E,msy teacher. if ne
.' but one idea to teach has pupils. We
y KNOW nay, we are sure, that IA man capno,
Dc 700 wen acquainted both with the natr 7
'"' anu Phys'rai sciences, to stlcc,.., IA