Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-10-21
EDUCATION.

EDUC aINON.
The New York American gives a very in
resting account Of the ms aila,ion of Mr..
OoILBy as principal Of he granmar-school Of
Columbia College. We subioin some Of MIR
OeILBY's remarks delivered on the occasion,
which have struck US as very just, and suscep-
tble OF being turned TO practical adsan'agr:
How far such extension of classical studies
may SO il our oi,y isa matter OF conjrc
lure. IL certainly falls far short, at present. If
the proper ion thai .xis $ elsewhere. Thus 10
compare ourselves VITA the large towns of
Scotland, Edinburgh, with population less
than one half our own, numbers III It's UniV'r-
~ 5000 aud in its High School alone, 100
classical s'udents Glasgow, with population
near 90 o0C below our own, has in its C"iiege
500 ulents Or The number IN IN Cram.
mar S. hool, an no, aware; yet it canno, be
much less than Edinburgh, since a. late exhi-
bi ion, 255 Students received the nect ssarily
rare distinction Of having been present a: every
recitation during the preceding 'weivemonth.
And 10 compare ourselves at home boston,
with population of little more than one quar-
ter OF our own, can boast OF 500 students IN
its College, and 225 classical scholars In one
city school-a number more than three times
But by many il i, made question whether
such au extension Of classical education in our
country be desirable T. is common preju-
dice, that all such studies are unfavo able to
| prac al business habits As some answer to
| this prejudice, let il be remembered, that the
same charge was once urged against the ON
| monest branches of educa ion-resding wrir>
| ing; = all learning was regarded as unlavorable
| to industry. The truth is, no knowledge en-
Fl young men for business: II is no, what hey
know, but what they are Ignorant OF, wnIeh
cons flutes their disqualification. II, hen, III"
classical languages cao be acquired without
tht neglec, Of mere practical hi gs, and that
by a period early enough 10 permit h. forma-
lion Of business habits, why, hen, he know
ledge Of them, by young men, will br no bar to
their attainment Of wealth; while it will add
infinitely TO their illness for enjoying it. or when
fortune proves tickle TO their mrans of barring
| II OUCH, not this requirement, Sir, TO have
weight with US, commercial people. when
such il thu instability of radr, that, gu, OF those
who enter intot, perhaps al least three fourths
make ship wreck Of fortune before life is half
spent, and are cast upon other resources
Blu, whe her classical edpca ion be or be not
| unf vorable TO business habits, is a question
not TO be ts,ed by solitary Cases: it mus be re-
ferred TO national experience. Now, OF all the
nations Of Europe, the two most devoted 10
olassi al studies are Scotland and Germany
yet VIII, re shall we frd more acute practical
business talent than aoounds in the one country,
or more s'eady. patient industry, than is rxhi
biled in 'hr her. They have boz bee ONE ma
,ional habits. Or, looking 10 our own expe-
ri-nce, can il he denied but that The best bust
ness alien OF our country come from those We
ry Sa'es Of New England why're ella steal edu.
cation is moss generally difnsed? Let MOI.
then, New York parents tear TO give their chill
dren a classical rducaion. fhe error corr
planned OF lies MOI in h, matter but IN he man
ner Only let /, Or the task Of parents to train
up thrir sons at home, BY sea'y parental
discipline, in the sober habits whio b bee omr
youth; and we NAV fairly promise them that
their classical knowlrdgr shall do them no
harm; but on the contrary. tina, il shall be here
so in'erwoven wi h science and art, as to onn-
si'ure ,horoug education, fitting them X
TO gain wealth and to adorn-gi,ing modera
lion 10 prosperity, and dignity 10 sdversity.