Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-12-22
FLOR the Massachusetts, Spy
The Blue Stocking Club.-.Mo. 3

The Blue Stocking Ctub.-NO. ).
Mr.. Editor--I have just laid. down that
number of the Edinburgh Review which treats
of American literature. At first was not
little indignant at the aspersions there thrown
out upon my country. But another perusal,
and little reflection, compels me to justify
rather than condefhn the severity of these re-
marks. It's, sir, stubborn fact, that, whilst
the American people have been rapidly ad-
vancing in commerce and manufactures,
whilst every year prociaims new inventions
and improvements in the mechanic arts, our
literature alone is permitted to languish for
want Of patronage, or, at most, to keep no
pace with our other improvements. 1t is
true, that here and there a solitary star APP
pears glittering in our literary armament; but
alas these spots are so few, and the atmos-
phere which surrounds them is so thick and
Clouded, it is but rarely they are able to pen
citrate its gloom. We are told that America
is young and when, would ask, is she to
attain her manhood? Shall we forever cover
ourselves under the paltry excuse that we are
children? But We are not young in our states
men and orators. We have lived long enough
to produce Webster-we have lived long
enough to produce Perkins-we have lived
long enough to possess Constitution, which
is the admiration of the world. But yet, say
they, we are young. Nothing, we are satisG-
ed, but consciousness of infancy could offer
an excuse like this.
II is time, sir, to awake from these infantile
dreams--it is time for US to look at the litera-
ry institutions of our country, and see if there
is no defect there. Here are the grand
sources from whence flow those little streams
which water the nation. If these are not
pure the whole system Of American literature
is corrupt. And, first, who are the young gen.
tlemen most numerous at our principal insti-
buttons They are, in great proportion, the
sons of wealthy citizens, sent thither to acquire
the name, rather than the reputation, of schol-
airs; satisfied when their children have OBJ
tanned the honours of an A. VI. that it always
means Master of Arts, when with much more
propriety it might frequently be Interpreted
Monkey. Do you question this fact re-
fer you TO one of their annual commence
ments, and you will perceive that many of
those who march off the stage with so much
satisfaction and triumph can hardly translate
the Latin upon their diplomas, and ifre-cxam-
ined for entrance to College, would find if a
most difficult task. We are aware that roll
of parchment in itself can possess no intrinsic
value; but when considered as the reward of
Literary merit, and not merely the result Of a
term of four years spent in dissipation and fol-
lly, it would be looked upon in far different
light. Here then, we would contend, Dur
College governments are in an error, that they
will permit students under their care to go on,
day after day, without industry, without APP.
Plication, without acquiring any useful knowi-
edge, and at last send them forth clad in equal
honours with the most deserving scholar
Thus they degrade our institutions, and low
err, rather than exalt, our literary character.
Again--into the most celebrated Universities
in Europe young men cannot gain admttance,
before the age of twenty, or, at least, before
they are qualified to undergo the most severe