Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-11-14

The annexed essay, REACHED us last week,
and as we promised the author, il should be
attended to,we now afford it place in our coll
umns. ..
IMPROVED SYSTEM OF EDUCATION.
l am perfectly sensible, that the subject Of
Education may appear TO some men, somewhat
trite and common. If, however, there ever
was a subject which mperatiyely demanded,
and Justly morlted, the attention OF tho ener-
gies, and commanding intellect Of our iuilucn-
tIal citizens, it is this. 1t is Education which
gives proper tone Of character and sentiment
10 individuals, which eleyatcs and rctncs the
feelings, aGo.ns the character, and adds to the
native dignity of man. Wi'i.ou, it he is
splendid slave, reasoning savage" and
destitute of every manly feeling and heroic
sentiment. Ia fine, it is by means of Educu-
| ton, that man acquires every ;hng hc hollis
most, dear and sa cred e- -FF
! No man Will deny, that every person is en-
! titled % freedom Of opinion. Perhaps there is
| no subject, however trjfling or important, upon
| which tho wiscst men materially differ, SO much
as regards the different sys,cms OF Education
which now exist in this country, and more es-
pecially in this part Of tho country. Every
| day, almost. introduces gs to some new and
| important discovery. /! ha. been wisely sup
! posed, that past generations had successfully
! established efficient and salutary methods of
! Edacaior. II appears, however, that it Inns
| been reserved lof the men OF the present gem
/ Grafton, to surpass all others in this respect
Every true and ardent patriot, n,rst mward!y
4 rejoice ut tho rapid advancement Of his coun-
! try in The arts and sciences, in these 'halc, on
I days our prosperity" He will equally fc. .oicc
! 10 learn the secrets Of system, which has re-
! ceived the attention of many philosophers and
4 statesmen, aud which is directly calculated 10
1 promote not only the inteUeeinui, but the
moroi, physical and religious improvement of
! indiviiuais '
Itt',creforc seem, essentially rceet.ary, hat
tnis system, which is productive. Of so many
| happy results, shoul, be thoroughly unlerslood
! and investigated. To this task, I shlll there
fore direct p,y attention. rcmarl,ine. as pro-
ceed, upon tho pcculiaritIos Of this apaten,
/ system, .- t. .e.- .,fI t,,rr
! Nov, il has generally been conced ID, that
! a man caanot POSSESS Influence, or become
eminent iu public life, without be have some
! permanent foundation upon which 10 build his
hopes Of ipuro glory and success. But, how
ever, this appears 20 he ono Of The exclusive
peculiaritiea &c tbs sysien Al individual, for
instance, who happens to DO blessed with
good memofg, can tender himself dIsiingush-
ed in The highest degree. II matters not.
whether no have perfect understanding Of
his aur hor or not IIo NAV, perhaps, have
consumed six n.on,hs upon one particular work,
and be able 10 give good analysis oil tl,is
work, When az The sl,c time, strictly speak
ing, Ie remains totally and entirely ignorant
of the rules, the principles, and even tie fitte
of the work. ! say, II ho kbe"s the hrst sip
woods in each succeeding paragraph. ho Is
scr;i orr hund>ei iS,a' From hsnce il aP-