Litchfield enquirer., 1836-07-21
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
LYCEUMS.-NO. III.

LYCEUMS.-NO. III.
Mr. Editor The favor with which you regarded
my previous communication induces me to continue
my remarks on Lyceums. shall now proceed to no.
tlce the manner in which these institutions and their
members, are to be employed
The Lyceum, it already well known is society for
mutual instruction. The members, as they have OPP
portunity will consider their duty to impart their
fellows whatever knowledge they possess, which will
be ofservice All will perceive, that it can be of no
advantage either TO himself or the public for person
to become member of Lyceum unless he expects to
take an active part IN its proceedings. On the con-
trary, it will be decidedly disadvantageous: for the
prosperity OF the institution must depend upon the in
terest which can be excited in its meetings. and it is
impossible that any favorable impression can be made
when the members disappoint the audience either y
absentng themselves or failing to pay that attention
to the subject which they ought. Many serious and
seemingly nsurnountabe objections will be urged a.
gainst joining society with this understanding some
Of which may, perhaps, notice hereafter.
The meetings of these societies are usually occu.
pied in discussing some question of general interest,
upon which there is difference of opinion among the
members; and in hearing Essays read, or Lectures
delivered, upon useful and interesting subject
l. Discussions No one will deny but that the dis
cussion Of questions upon which men differ in opinion
is calculated to be eminenty beneficial. Very many,
and perhaps, most men, form their opinions without
due consideration First impressions are very COM
monty erroneous, and usually very imperfect; but,
nevertheless, from these impressions men form their
opinions, and othese opinions they adhere until some
special occurrence again calls their attention to the
subject This, perhaps, never happens; and thus,
ideas which are more usually wrong than otherwise,
last them all their lives. The discussion in the Lyce.
una leads them to investigate the subject and correct
their former errors. These discussions, also, teach
those who engage in them to defend their opinions
from the attacks Of Others and to be careful how they
yield them to unsupported assertions and they will,
thus, obtain decided advantage in point Of character
and influence in society. The character Of the ques
tons discussed is supposed to be either Moral Hstor
ica Literary, Or Scientific; and those that engage in
the discussion, and even those who hear only, will Of
ten obtain knowledge Of subjects which might be of
the greatest to them, but which, otherwise would
never have occupied their attention. If Moral, they
witt learn the uuues ana oungauons, wncn rncy owe
to their felowmen, and to their Maker if Historical,
the causes of the happiness or misery.of nations Of
their prosperity or adveity Literary, to detect inn
positions, and discriminate between true and false
taste if Scientific, the laws which govern all the va
rous phenomena of the natural world. If, then, the
calculation Of truth is Of any importance, these discus
sons should take high place in the estimation Of the
public. =.
2. Essays, or Lectures. Every Lyceum will find it
advantageous to vary, occasionally from common dis
cussons. A very good substitute, and one which will
not be less interesting will be found in Essay on
some Literary or Scientific subject. Each member
will have some favorite subject, which he may be sup
posed understand better than the others. Upon this
subject let him compose an essay and, thus, commu-
nicate his knowledge to the society. Ifhe be agr
cuturast, let be- if he chooses tiling the soil
if a mechanic, on some subject connected with his
trade; if schooltsacher the instruction and
nagement of schools. Neither the members nor the
public, need fear the result. There are sufficient
number of men in every place who are qualified for
this SERVICE if they will Gas is too often the easel
distrust their talents. Ihave the trial made and
witnessed its good effects 1t threw charm around
the meeting of the society which had never before
been felt and on these occasions attentive audi
ence was never wanting.
Another object, which often does and always should,
communications, written either by the members. or
by persons unconnected with the society," but who are
disposed to favor it with their correspondence These
will be written all subjects to suit the various gen.
Jus and taste of the authors; and as they will usually
be short, they will interfere with the other business
of the meeting. Here is fine field for oil to employ
their talents And who would not wish to avail him
self oft? Criticism, poetry, etc. will here appear.
producing better variety Il beg pardon, Mr. Editor)
than village Newspaper ~.
The ladies too (and ask them to excuse me for not
mentioning them before. as they our best fends)
will here have an opportunity to exercise their intel
ectua faculties; for although they are not formed for
public speaking. yet they ought not to be debaned
from exercising their influence in more private man.
ner. And the Lyceum will furnish medium Of COM
muncaton, through which they can be eminently be-
neficial to the community. ALFRED
From the Soufh.-We learn that Major Gen. Scott
Tuesday and he next day MAJOR Cen Sanford Of the
Militia with part of the Georgia troops The In.
dams chose who were friendly or had been captued)
were departing on their journey Of migration west
ward and the troops were to be paid Of and dischar-
From Fort Mitchell, on the Saturday preceding, the
contractors for the removal Of the Greeks had started
sixteen hundred Indians, men, women, and children,
for Arkansaa. "The hostile warriors, hand-cuffed,
marching in double flea long rain Of Wagons con.
veyng tie children, and such Of the old women as are
unabe to walk, followed in their wake."-Nat InseU
Ohio sisen sp.-The Monitor. violent Van Buren,
paper in Ohio, says.
majority iarcer than formerly, those few times we have
spoken Of il. we must be faithful enough now 70 say
that appearances stronger IN fayoE Of our oppO-
rs. St . nnotha! Harrison caries Ohio by