State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-07-19
CONGREGATIONS
For the State Journal.
REMARKS UPON THE STATE OF
AMERICAN EDUCATION. No.2.

physical and intellectual inquiry. 1t is
based in the corporenl organization of ami
mails, and is characterized by structural
Developments. Whenever this is defective,
tunctionaty is proportionally imperfect.
However abundant are the resources of
nature, economy marks their expenditure,
The utmost simplicity attends her opera
tons, and whatever Of apparent perpleXity
and incongruity are presented, they origi-
nate, exclusively, in the inadequacy of hui
man investigation. Hence, the necessity
of good physical constitution, in order
that the superstructure of literary acquisi-
ton may be successfully prosecuted
With the validity or falIacy of the doc
trine of materialsm, the present subject has
no more TO do than TO require the admission
that no animal can think without brain,
which seems rs readily deducible from
incontrovcrtblc fact as that it is incapable
of motion without muscles.
Phrenology is science, however ire.
ducible, in detail, to any purpose of utility,
which bears upon its visage the marks of
veracity. a brah is as essential to thought
as liver to the secretion of bile. The
several organs of sense are characterized
by distinctness of origin, structure, distribu-
ZION, and senslblity; each being adapted to
u DuIllCuldI puIpO lOI WHICH no OtllcI Cdll
be substituted. Such, therefore, is the
connection between matter and mind that,
however nsoluble the problem, it is indis-
pensable to accuracy of thought, that the
brain should be perfectly organized and
sustained in good repair
1t has long been proverbal that system
is Indispensable TO the concomtant and
successful prosecution of human enterprise,
and that, notwithstanding the apparent eX-
ception presented in the surprising success
occasionally atendent upon the unasssted
efforts of an intellectual prodigy, science
and art are difficulty propagated, unalded
by their appropriate rules. Its relinquish-
ment would be no less ruinous in a system
of education than in the various economy
of domestic employment.
The remark is not unworthy ofrepettion
that sound physical organization is the sine
qua non of literary success. No exception
to this rule is admissible rs far as the enc.
bra structure is concerned.
Wonderful intellectual developement is
sometimes contrasted with strikingly defec-
tive general organization, which has doubt
less introduced the opinion that the mind,
though existing within the body, directs its
motions as an independent principle.
Physical instruction, though Of paramount
importance, during the period of infancy,
in which the constitution is in the progress
of rapid formation, should not he dispensed
with until the physical character is firmly
established-e then its REIMBURSEMENT
might be, not untrcquentIy, a subject Of
regret.
So long and so well has observation CON
firmcd the utility of system, in regard TO
the feeding of animals, that the daily prac-
tee of the mos, intelligent herdsman would
seem n legitimate deduction Of the pro-
foundest physiological science; and sug-
gestions of improvement might well be re-
iected as Intrusive importantly. But with
what reckless Indifference or pcrversion is
the foregoing principle applied to the rear
ing of children, the production of a fine
specimen Of which should command, at
least, as high consideration as the rearing
OF a Durham OK or an Arabian courser.
1t would seem, in general, that human
intellect is altogether incapable of contem-
plating itself, in relation to the philosophy
Of its own filnctlonality and the physical
organization by which it is developed
while its perversion is well adapted TO null
tply the evils aud cmbarrassments it was
designed 10 obvatc. The superiority OF
intellectual over physical character, instead
OF detraciing fom the importance of ply
steal instruction, is palpahly corroborative
of its indspensabiIity. The first object OF
the parent is, therefore, to provide its prog
eny with the best constitution which the
strctest and most judicious discipline is
able to produce.
The irregulnrity, commonly attendant
upon the nursing of infants as well ms the
feeding of children, is justlhable, only, on
tho supposition that nature has provided
them with an inAeXbility of constitution
adequate to the successful resistance ofthe
most outrageous abuse. This lays the
foundation for the introduction of mechani-
cal apparatus, by which nature is supposed
TO he reminded of her inferiorty TO art
While The infant is nurscd according TO the
convenience of the mother, alternately
stuffed and starved, the elder child is per
mitted to continue its amusement until
hunger demands an intcrmission, when it is
permitted to devour whatever its voracity
may demand. In this practice may he
recognized the cnuse of that feebleness Of
constitution and delormity of body which
have been acrlegiously charged TO the
incapacity of nature; aud as the child
grows up with increasing deformity, the
ingenuity of fashion is Immediately laC
under contribution to annihilate the evil
Busks, stays and lacings, are, forthwith, pu
in requistion, by which those muscles are
finally annihiated which, unobstructed anC
properly exercised, would have been more
than substitute for the most ingenious ar
itical contrivance. To obviate, therefore
the necessity for remedies, the suggestions
of nature, as qualified by reason, should be
implicitly obeyed, which will secure nj
immunity from the innumerable evils con
sequent upon disobedience.
Let tho food, clothing, and exercise o