Litchfield enquirer., 1836-09-22
FOR THE ENQUIRER. LYCEUMS.-NO. VI.

LYCEUMS.-NOo VEs
 Is the idea of County Lyceum at all romantic or visionary? Is the plan any way impractcable? Is not the object well worthy the attention of men Have we not good to believe that in it's results would prove an important part of that system of means, which is to be employed for enlghtening and elevatng the condition of mankind?
 The advantages accruing to individuals and com- munities from association are so many and apparent not to need particular enumeration and if it was not so, think have shown some of them, and espe- caly, those that are to be derived from Lyceums in the preceding numbers of these essays There are, however, numerous advantages which would in a spe- cal manner, flow from institution of the character which we are now contemplating, some of which propose to notice in this, my concluding number
 And in the first place, the opportunity sUich ts So ciey acould furnish euery class and condition in e to form acquaintance sOiM the respectable, e- ightened and inRuentia inhabitants of the County, aood alone be of sufficient Importance srarrant e undertaking. Society is the very essence of human life. Without it would soon return to a state of nature-no to state of nature, but to state ap- preaching possible to the condition of the brute creation. All the advancement which the hu- man mind has made during the six thousand years which have elapsed since the creaton would be of benefit, and all future improvement would be impossi- ble. But this is reasoning in too general manner- The only way in which men can receive the benefits of society is by mingng in it; and it is obvious that the better opportunity he has form acquaintance the greater will be the advantages to be derived from
 1t. As his acquaintance extends his influence (if he takes the proper to obtain nuence) will follow
 t and it is in this manner, and this only, that men can ever rise to enlinence. A person too, having numerous and respectable circle of friends scattered over large territory pursue his business with far
 less inconvenience, and much greater profit than he otherwise would In short, men can be placed in no possible condition, in which they would fail to receive
 it's benefits The entire Restitution of any institution
 in this vicinity, which in connexion with its osensble object combines this advantage, If we except the County Temperance Society, which is very inade- quate to the purpose,I think, must convince every candid mind of the importance of commencing an in- stituton of the character of the one now proposed
 In the second place, County Lyceum mould ercite the literary Utin its limits to ssake greaer erer- tions both for their improvement and the improue- nset o others They would be called upon to prepare, and read deliver before its meetings addresses ec- tures essays dissertations etc. the of which would be seen and felt throughout the community. The So- ciety might also if it saw t offer prizes for the best pieces of original composition either in prose or verse; which might be presented to and thus the latent en- ergies of men would be exerted to action. Can any one doubt the good effects of such course Would it not verify breathe the breath of e into the rising geninses of Ltchfeld County? Nothing which will effect this object exists; and the fact that men will act only they excited to it. and only in pro- portion to the encouragement which they receive, think, conclusvey proves that society of this kind should be immediately formed.
 In the third place. t sDould improve the condition of schools and senaries c learning in the County. The education and improvement of teachers would, nat,l- rally. form important part of its system of opera tions. It might employ competent agent, who would occupy his time in examining into the condition of schools in different parts of the county, and who might exert influence to raise the standard of education Does any imagine that an institution of this nature would be useless7 Is the education of the rising gen. eraton of so little importance, as merit no attention from sensible men our seminaries of learning in so prosperous condition already as to need no far ther efforts? Alas! the truth ever told, fear, it would prove tale melancholy in the extreme.
 But to attempt to enumerate all the particular ob- jects which such institution would promote, would extend this communication far beyond the limits which could ask to have appropriated to my use in the col umns of newspaper. will, therefore, content my self by repeating what observed in my last number that men need only to examine the subject to be con- vinced ofits utility.
 We now appeal to the enlightened and patriotic n- habitants of Ltchfeld County (f this plan shall be -,~z~n. the establishment ofsuch institution. To the young men, especially. who are the pride and hope of our country, this subject is of importance. Will not they, at least, second the motion Will not some of the numerous and respectable Lyceums in this vcini- ty, uhe Ltchfeld Lyceum,* perhaps,) call a conven- ton Of the friends of education and improvement to take the plan into consideration.
 These brief remarks, written at odd intervals in a hurried and imperfect manner, are now submitted to the consideration of a candid public The writer claims merit for his composition Should it he suc- cessful in attracting the attention of the sub. feet upon which he has treated he will consider an ample reward. To you. Mir Editor, who have thus allowed him the free of your columns, he returns his humble acknowledgements. ALFRED
 September, l, l836.
 " Alas, sir, no such institution now exists-ED.
 "OH Harpard" Although the " go ahead princ. pie of our age does not seem to have infused it's vta ty into this institution there is something venerable in
 it's character as the old seat puritan literature, New EnrIand's eem" and the first college in America, that must ever cause it to be respected and cherished- When the forests yet spread over the land, and the first settlers on Plymouth rock but some ten or m teen years before were struggling with the numerous powerful tribes of savage warriors, the home they had left and it's refinements were not forgotten. In the midst of this wilderness and these haFdshpe they rear noIl.rn aa:E~A TnvnhFs1nn xzyhoan