The Litchfield County post. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1826-1829, 1828-11-13
From The YeOman,s Gazette, Concord, Mass.
THE MARCH OF MIND.
Sept. 1873.


Primer, is a more formidable character than
the Warrior with his SwOrd;" and the rapid
progress Of enlightened principles Of govern
ment, and the general diffusion Of knowledge
throughout the world for the last half centu-
ry, is sufficient evidence that the remark, tho
quaint, is correct.
The increased attention to education in the
United States, of late years, is evidence that
the SchOOlmaster is abroad in our laad, and
welding his Primer with singular power and
effect. Instructors of more talent and natu-
raj fitness for the duty, are employed; the
rod has been, in great degree abandoned
rational system OF instruction, appealing to
reason and the mental powers, adopted and
! books of better character and greater varie-
~ introduced. With such facilities for i'm
provement. what may we not expect of the
succeeding and future generations have
| been led to these remarks in consequences of
having lately examine j several new books of
different kinds. Among them was the Clas-
seal Reader. This work appears to have
been compiled with great care, taste, and
Judgment, is printed neatly and bound WELL
/ The compIers have not confined themselves
Exclusively to English or American, modern
I or ancient works, but have made judicious
selections from all. They have also discar-
ded the hackneyed rule of dividing the arti-
cIes into Didactic. ~arratve, Pathetic, sc.
but have suffered their pieces to follow each
other IN pleasing variety, taking care that the
prose should preponderate in quantity over
the poetry. The book is highly creditabIe to
the Literary Emporium" where it emana-
ted, and hope to SEE it every where take the
place of orn-out and antiquated books.
ONWARD.
| IF@The Classical Reader was compiled
by the Rev. Mr. Greenwood, and Mr.. George
B. Emerson, late principal of the English
High School in Boston.
| With the merits Of the "CIassica Reader" we are
entirely unacquainted, and therefore cannot be ex-
pected to speak either in its praise or dsprase That
work OF th nd may be compiled, admirably adap-
ted to the capacity and advancement of the youthful
mind, we have doubt; and from the literary char
acer OF Mr.. Greenwood, and the high standing of Mr.
Emerson, we know of no reason why this of all other
works ofthe kind, may be the best. But unques-
tonaby some moral instruction is intended to be con-
veyed to the mind ofthe learner in this work. Such
IL the TACT IN the English Reader, and such ought to
be the fact, in every book, placed the hands of chill
dren. We would not have our common schools be-
|
sectar'es: but would have all the children in our
country taught the infinite importance of virtue and
morality, as also the only true fountain from whence
| these excellencies flow. We would also have all the
teachers land, assisted by suitable class books
become in fact teachers of moraty not merely that
dead system which Seneca and Plato taught but tina,
living principle which flows from the word of God
and which is capable of fastening itself upon the
mnd as to guide its subject right in all its future
course OF existence. We will not here rihe with our
readers SO much as to attempt prove by argument
that IN schools where scrpuraI views of right and
wrong are properly lncuIcated, the good order and
rapid lmprO, ement of the scholars in general know-
edge, will be incidentally better, than in those schools
where the "little with his rod" keeps his trem-
bling subjects in In every school the Bible
should be standard book not however merely for
the purpose of teaching the pupil hoW to read,- for
there are other and better adapted books for this pu-
pose:-bu as "a text book, to support the teacher in
all his lessons upon the importance Of truth and mo-
ralty, as also by having it daily read by all the scol-
ars capable of reading, to fasten upon their tender
minds the great necessity there of their using it at
all tunes as lamp their path through the journey
va "'e lNo" Hc Nldssicdl nea0er mas nothing IN II
which shall recommend the morality Of the Bible as
infinitely superior TO the ''maxims of Confucus or the
morals of the Koran we would by no means recon-
mend it for general in schools, however purely
"classica and elegant may be the style of the work.
There are many gentlemen in Massac huses bearing
| 'he title Of Rep. among whom is Mr.. Greenwood,
whose united talents and powersof mind are enlisted
IN destroying the idea Of the infinite superiority of the
Scriptures every other book and ifths principle
| carried into the books which they compile for the
of schools, il sentiments tending to this end are
found in their selections, weswould sooner
mend them for general use, than we would admins
er poison to the humble suppliant for our mercy
And again, if the work cautiously refrains from adj
vancing single idea relative TO the general princi-
pies of Christianity, its duties and binding obligations
upon all men. character would be he athenish
for general use in Christian country. But we again
say, know nothing of the classical or moral worth
OF the Reader in question; and only notice because
correspondent from abroad, who sent us the article
above, signed Coward" has requested to do;
and we not in the habit Of praising any work or
thing, simply for the sake of writing puff oil fate
ry;" neither disposed TO recommend for gen.
| eral use, book which, at best, comes to under
| rather suspicious circumstances. AS the objects Of