Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-04-13
AEiEN AN!b@9As
MONDAY MORNING, APRIL is. 1929.
EDUCATION.

education, talked OF and recommended. by peo-
rle who mean veil enough, but who are too
theoretical ever 10 do much practical good.
Perhaps it may be pre- udice-but We confess
that il is prejudice which looks very much
like reason, and which has not small quantum
of argument to support it--which induces US
to look suspieiousIy upon all those plans CAL
cula,ed TO make scholars BY machinery, Qf we
may he allowed the expression) and in hall or
quarter the time j, took our fathers before US.
The columns Of our newspapers present humid
reds Of advertisements, from hungry and needy
adventures, offering to teach our youth sclen>
ce. in six weeks, which would exert the mind
six years fully to comprehend. These mush'
room plans, which perish before they effect
much harm, are not, however, the worst oil the
evil. Enthusiastic and persevering men get
hoIs Of some theory of educatioi-'he more
precious to them, as it is the child OF their own
folly. This, by dins Of writing and ,alking'
thew conl,ive to but into operation. The bant-
ling is christened with some high sounding
e2ithet, OF perhaps named after Its parent
Novelty, always pleasing. is doubly SO in this
case, and tie system soon has its converts, and
Of course its preachers, who endeavor TO swell
the ranks Of their disciples.
We think this eagerness 10 snatch at new
schemes for the education Of their children, is
highly censurable in parents. The future wei
fare Of boy depends much upon this matter
You may make him theoretical, visionary, and
Eighty, by induIgins him in these new tangled
opinions. We maintain the old way is the
good way.
Perhaps the reason Of the general frvoli'y Of
the age, and the superficial knowledge which
many have Of learning, may, in some measure,
be traced 10 the subject on which we have
commented.
Place boy at school, as soon as he is able
to comprehend the first rudiments OF educa'
ton-le, him learn his Murray let him study
his Pike; let him thumb his Dictionary; let
HIN labor--make his books as pleasant TO him
as possible but never sweeten his imagination
with the idea that learning is play thing, and
to be attained without any very severe or con-
stan. application. lie, him 60 through the re-
sular routine, and when he is old enough, and
prepared enough, if il is your design 10 give
him liberal education, send him to an old
fashioned college, where he will be with men
who have talents to fit him for any occupation.
Let him pursue this course, and there is no
question but that, if even Of ordinary abilities,
he will be competent to 60 through this life
honorably and respectfully.
II it required argument 10 convince others OF
the reasonableness Of what we here say, we
the idea of teaching the Latin language, for in.
stance, in six or eight months, or even in
year! Teaching, we say-because there is
vast difference between that, and giving one a
smattering, or mere superficial, outside view
of the subject. The ancients themselves advis.
ed the deepest and most serious attention to
their languages-
Nocturna versate manu-, versate diurna"-
and yet zoe would skim over the. surface, and
talk of knowing the language! No branch Of
study requires longer or more constant a'sen-
ton than the study Of the dead languages; and
we consider i. injurious to the cause of sound
education to attempt TO pursuade people other
WISE.
We are the friends Of Education, and, what
is more, are not opposed TO Improvements when
they are self. evident, and recommend them
selves. But there is quackery, and there arc
quacks, in learning, as there i, 10 almost every
thing else and i, is against these thar we
would have the public SET its face. We wan.
to see men of strong MINDS, Of solid acquire.
ments, Of habits Of deep thinking, Of profound
research, and Of literary industry-ra,her than
learned coxcom5s and book butterflies, buzzing
here and there, notwithstanding. The
Poet who studied men and manners we'll, says
GA little learning is dangerous thing.
"Dring deep, or taste not the Pierian sprlng."
Our attention has been requested to review