Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-12-08
COMMUNICATION.
To the Editors ofthe Vrginiom.


N,ssr,. Editors--In late number Of the Nr
pinian, YOU took occasion to advert. with judi
cious appreciation, TO the connection between the
iuprov me- Mt of the country that has lately taken
place in the neiehborhood Of Lynchburg, and the
organization Of Agricultural Societies. The
heart mus, be rs cold 10 tho perception 81 nal'i-
raj beauty "a dead to the feelings Of patriotism,
tina, does not cxuit at the progressive hneloraiion
aud loveliness OF its native country. May go on,
until il shall arrest, tv the combined influence of
interest and local attachment, the steady and
ceaseless current Of emigration TO the West
Your vielant sensibility to the general good
induces to hope that your efficient aid may be
enlisted in behalf of another public interest, no,
hess important, nor less in need Of public cncou
racement. I mean the education Of the rising
generation. l am aware that there are many
individual teachers, whose talents industry, quail
fcatons and demranour are worthy OF all com
n,endation and who would do honor Ia then yo-
cation, in any part Of the world. not except
Ing the Athens of America. I an. Of opinion, too,
that the average character Of the profession is RI
sing. but still candour mus, admit that much yet
requires TO be done, before WE can n,ttcr onr.
selves that have arrived AT the greatest attaina
BILE excellence Something more is vet wanting,
than splendid instances of individual sceilcncc.
We need an harmonious system, judciously ar
the whole community, from the loves, rndiments
acknowledge to its last stage Of advancement
is 1t clmerical Ia hope for such consummation 7
! cannot believe it, When so many other great
interests in society are rushing forward in the Ca
Peer Of advancement, with unparalleled rapdtv,
surely tina, which should DO dearest TO the heart
OF every patriot and every parent cannot be view
ed with comparative apathy. Banks, Canals, Raj
Roads, Cotton Factories and Agricultural Secr.
N a. a r
discerning public. But without ins,ituting an
unnecessary or invidous comparison, | hazard lit
tie in asserting that Education yields not in i'm
portance 10 any other object.
have already remarked that we have many
meritor,ous teachers and professors, who are Ia
boring with interchangeable nssiJuity in imparIing a
flushed education 10 their respective charges but
there is also a sad reverse to the picture. We
have yet too many, Of whom it 10 not eStravapant
TO say that total un6tness for every other calling
has thrown them dead weight upon the cause Of
Education who are not merely negatively iniuri-
Gus, by occupying the stations that should be filed
with better qualifications, bu, who are positively
hurtfu by teaching VIVA, must ba unlearned a, some
subsequent day.
Another Inconvenience of very general opera
ton arises from tho want ofa judcious arrange
ment OF studies, and uniformity amongst teaol err,
In their course OF instruction. How often does il
happen that parental vanity or Youthful spricc with
the cnlpable connvan,e ofthe teacher puts tho I'M
mature mind oithe youthful aspirant after now ledge
upon a subject or author for which neither age nor
preceding requirements qualify III Can any
other result be reasonably expected, than dis
gust with an unin,egibIe subject, or superfeia l
attachments I
Another serious impeachment in the way Of c,u-
cation is The want OF suitable text books This
Inconvenience probably operates with less elirc,
IN Lynrhburg ana other large towns, whose fire.
quent intercourse with the North enables them
quickly to procure and adopt any improved au
thors on the various brNnche, Of education bu
IN the country, the suppl. is either a matter 81
mere chance, or II consists in few oenenta-
ry authors OF former times, which have attained
a kind Of prescrpive righ, to the merchants
shelves.
All these ineonvencncirs call loudly for some
corrective. With difhdcnce, I will venture To-
suggest measure which appears to my mind cal
e"ateu 10 remove somc OF the inco,,ve ME noes
pointed out. IL IS the formation of an A,socio-
f'on Of Teachers Of Lynchbmrg and ii, rieinitv-
BY periodical meetings, by referring the various
subjects connected with Education TO appropriate
committees, and by nm interchange Of opinions
either by discussions or essays, cannot but think
that great advantages and Improvements might b,
reciprocally i'm arlcd and received and thai al
tmairiy greater degree Of uniformity, as we'll a
very signal improvements, nigh be supcrinduccd
The principle OF association seems 10 me indis
Pensable to greai advancement, in any department
Of human pursuit. Should my dc.ultory remark.
for which am sensible many allowances must b,
mad for haste and incorrence, lead TO a seriou
consideration Of the subject matter, and elicit lin
remarks Of some better qualified pen. shall b,
highly crati6ed. MENTOR.
u Il + AT b A RIG AIMS