Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-08-09
/. ADVANTAGES or EDUCATION.
: n.o,n N. London Mechanics Magazine.]

u
to our comfort, il may be considered tue sta"o
foundation on which we have TO build our aaPP'ce
ness. And to effect the welfare aud s'aoi'''y VI
society. and to promote the union OF sentiment,
education must BIZ free and universal, ana oesu"
At the earliest period Of life, and made the means
n SURVIVING domestic, social, and political IN
structioo. In Scotland, every parish mas us
schooImaster, who is a man Of kno~n talent anu
integrity. He educates the children for the SINAI!
fee that can be spared by their poor parents anu
has his salary made up by small TAX on 'ne
lands Of the parish. Hence it is that persons
from this country may be found holding resPons''
BILE situations in every part OF the woriu. W"e"
government and landed proprietors shall nave
taken proper steps to afford employment 10 inc
working classes, they will then have an oppor'u.
nity of educating their children through their own
means. This might be done by certain nu"oer
of individuals clubbing together. anu engaging
teachers after their own liking, whose pr'nc'Pes
varo du,v known. and who might be reelected
or discharged at months notice, by the decision
If the majority of committee; and more easy
circumstances would induce parents to oestow
more attention on their children during their stay
a, school and afterwards. as this sort OF domesuc
ton by considerable parents IS atehuea
with the best consequences. But permanent
and effectual system of education, to raise inc
character of the communicate unite the minus
Of the people, and cement the physical force OF
the country, must be recognized by the natlon'
.et free and universal education be commenced,
under the auspices Of liberal and irresponsible"
government, upon a solid and comprehensive
foundat and let the present Establishment 'or
infants be purged of those mystifying corruPtlons
which the ar, Of those who are adverse to the dii'
fusion of knowledge have incorporated in the &C..
neral system of teaching. Let US hear OF noth'hs
impre ssed upon the infant mind ABOUT ooediehce
to suceriors, Sc until it is hrst thoroughly ui''
derstuod by them that superiority consists IN
; worth, and not in wealth In those establish
nents where the children Of the rich and poor are
to be assembled, there must be no distinctions
but by real merit. In addition to what is gene.
rallv understood by education, it would be we'll
TO teach every individual the uses of the various
instruments and implements Of labor, and regu-
lar habits of industry. But, above all, the intel.
. lectual education that is most wanted, after the
rudimens of reading and writing have been &C.
ouired, i. Natural History. This is branch OF
education that has been greatly neglected in this
country; indeed more so than in many countries
on the Continent When the youthful mind
FIRST begins to deveIope its faculties. impress up.
on it the beauties Of nature, and it will soon be
led from Nature up to Natures Cod In
addition to the state ograttude that the best feel
ings are brought into from an observance OF ma.
ture, it moreover furnishes the mind with just
ideas of what is beautiful. TO every school, or
establishment for education. there should be at.
tached garden, in order to forward this study OF
natural history, and to enable the boys to be IN.
structed in all the branches Of horticulture. No
hoggine should be resorted to in the schools. un-
der any circumstances-(this practice has too
great a resemblance to the disgracefuI system OF
punishment Practised in our army and nayy)-
as much more will be gained by system Of rea-
soning with the scholars, and pointing out the
benefits that will result from good conduct than
by the reverse. The students should not be
strictly confined to the schools and gardens, but
frequently allowed to walk out with their leach
ers, and to visit all the different parts where ma.
chinery and other works Of mechanical invention
are to be seen in operation; and the passing from
place to place, especially in the country, would
afford them great scope for observing those tea.
lures of nature not comprehended within the
sphere of their own gardens. do not SO partl'
cuIary recommend the teaching OF natural history
scientifically, as do that every one should have
desire aud love for nature; and, whether I'm
the botanical Department. they know the Latin
names of plants or not, that they may recognise
them individually in their minds, and show that
consideration for even the commonest weed that
every thinking person in the present day does to
insects.
II females, who have or ought to have the con-
Quoting of our domestic arrangements, were
taught a little knowledge Of plants, we should
not have the eye so often offended with the many
Inconsistencies in the patterns OF carpets. &c.
which we are daily obliged to witness. An in.
diligence in botany might be afforded to persons
after puberty. by having no new houses erected
without gardens, where ground could be had;
and, 10 towns and cities. BY having cast iron bal
comics to each floor Of every house, for support
ing flower pots: which balconies would not only
have good architectural efiecr, but would also
serve as places Of retreat in cases Of fire, until
ladders or other assistance could be procured.
Gardens might even be made on the roofs OF
houses, as has been suggested by celebrated
author.
When food and employment for the working
classes have been provided-when the children
of this generation have received domestic, a
| A.