Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-04-24
COMMUNICATIONS.
HINTS ON EDUCATION.

our nature, and unqueslonaoiy tue Fesui' VI
that beneyolence which is manifest IT all the
work, of God. When that harmony is pre-
served which was originally Instituted in our
system, this faculty contributes equally to our
usefulness and happiness; but whenever tins
order is violated, the consequences VIII, o.
course, be both irregular and unhappy. As IN
the natural system,
ssshould the foot, ordained the dust to tread,
"Or hand to toll, aspire to be the head"
The subversion both Of It's comfort and useful>
ness would unavoidably follow so, when any
of our minor intellectual powers are permitted
20 usurp the place OF their superiors, aud, in
stead of serving, take command, though, Tor
time they may urge US forward with the ardor
of enthusiasm, and seem 10 be carrying US ra-
nidly TO the summit Of excellence. yet Nature
will not always countenance the usurpa,lon.
The equilibrium faust be restored; and when
the aspiring mental begiRs TO take the lowest
place" it mus, occasion disappointment equal
70 our high-wrough, hopes. When memory's
cultivated TO the disparity of the understand
ing, its effects, though for time sparkling,
will never result in frmness or elevation OF
character When imagination is suffered TO
stretch her pinioas unrestrained, she may often,
in her soaring, leave reason in the vale, but
will never, alone, enter the temple which adorns
the summit of the Hill Of Science. So novelty,
though, for time, she may lead her rotar Isi,
--------r-o 49, 1890 -P.~y & 'S'Ssf WIN
finally subjec, them to hunger unsa'ia,ed aud
thirst unallayed. Does the husbandman hnc
his farm improved by varying his mode OF cul-
tivation till the year is spent in fruitless expe-
rimen,sl Do his fields shake like the cedars
Of Lebanon, or his reapers bind his sheaves
with Joy, who suffers the harvest moon TO rise
on his oft forsaken, ever changing plans g
Does the mec hanic, who is constantly varying
his occupation, become proficient in any
Does the merchant grow rich, who listens TO
the persuasions of one, the fears of another, and
the fanatic visions of third Does the scho-
lar arrive at eminence in his pursuits, who, as
often as the charm Of novelty has past, is ready
20 exchange his system for another, different in
its principles, in its tendencies, and in all the
methods by which it promises 10 bring him to
the same results Is there no charm in order,
or has man forgotten iha, it is Heavens first
law
Perhaps the love of novelty is in nothing
more apparent, or more detrimental, than IN
the management of Young minds. The parent
places his child at school. The child is happy,
the teach her assiduous. He first acquaints him
self with the disposition OF his pupil, and
adapts his mode Of instruction and discipline 10
the exigencies Of the case. He prepares the
ground, lays the foundation deep and broad, and
begins The edifce which he hopes to complete.
But just as he begins 10 enjoy the first appear
ance Of its embryo proportions, and, in pros
pect, to behold its nobler symmetry, strength
,ned and adorned by the combination Of sci-
ence and art, some projecting novice presents
himself, protesting 10 be better skilled III all
these arts, and, what is most alluring, offers TO
produce the same effects with an economy lar
surprising that Of his rival. This is bait
which canno. be resisted. The new artihcer is
desired 10 finish the building. But ne under
stands opart Of the plan which is commence
ed. He cannot rear column on the former
basis. All must be removed-or, ii he attempt
10 enter into his predecessors laoors, Tor rea-
sons that are very obvious, he rears but an un-
slightly ed6ce-a disjoin,ed fabric-a Babel
which proclaims the weakness Of Novelty as
the competitor OF Reason.
Number!ess are the evils which arise from
the undue qualification of,his faculty. gives
6ckleness to the character which mars every
plan, and renders venisl and trifiins those minds
which were formed for high pursuits. 1t de-
stroys our influence in socie'y, or renders de'ri-
mental the little we may possess. How deslr-
able, then, are those habits ofreHec'ion and Per