State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-08-02

REMARKS UPON THE STATE OF
AMERICAN EDUCATION No. 3.

uincntS OF mankind upon tue proper meth
cd of cultivatng the intellect of children.
Many have suggested the cXpediency of IA
strict, and, almost, unremtted course of
scholastic discipline; while others have
propagated the, nearly equally, preposterous
doctrine that discipline cramps the ener-
ges of nature and interccpls the process
by which she intends to effect her purpose.
Having remarked an occasional unschooled
prodigy, they most iIloglcully deduce the
conclusion that education interlercs with
the successful Development OF genius
These sentiments do not more aDtagon2e
each other than they do the successful pro-
CATION of learning.
That the animal system requires exercise
in order to its proper Development is fully
demonstrated in the striking difference
between the limbs of porter or black
smith and those of Il tailor or matchmaker.
Nature is solicited for a supply of strength
TO the legs of the porter and to the arms of
the blacksmith altogether superlluous in
those of the tailor and goldsmith.
Nature is never deaf to a call which ne
cessity sanctions and prudence justiies; the
supply is, therefore, afforded ard the devel-
npement of muscles and other solid an!
fluid materials establishes difference of
constitution sufficient to justify nj ancient
cmpyrical remark that "What will cure
blacksmith will kill a tailor"
Certainly the exercise which one could
endure without Inconvenience would alto
gether exceed the ability of the other. 1t
is incontrovertiblc, therefore, that iudicious
exercise, as well as proper nourishment, is
indispensable to the perfection Of animal
organization. Exercise, however. carried
to the extent of painful fatigue, produces
arrangement of the functions, aud. if per-
sisted in, produces irrccoverabIc eXhaus-
ton. The function of the brain, in those
respects, accords with that of other physical
organs The individual whose intellect is
iudiciously exercised will find his appre
hension expand in the direct ratio of his
application. If, however, it is urged to eX
cess, the order is reversed, and the greater
the eXerton, the less the improvement, I'M
til idiocy is effectualy established. How
important, therefore, is it that the subject Of
education should he considered in reference
to its dependence for success upon organic
perfection.
The whole muscular system of children
should be freely and repeatedly exercised
in order to the establishment of genuine
health, and corresponding Development
of animal strength, which is, totally, in
compatible with fixed and uneasy positions.
The Child should, therefore, never be
confined to any particular position of body
or limbs so long as to produce Impotence
or sense Of pain.
The suggestions of nature should be
strictly followed and every necessary kind
and degree of exercise permitted. Incur
able distortions of the spine are not unire-
quentIy produced by too long confinement
to particular positions, especially with in
FAINT females, whose iasiidous mothers
cannot endure the repusive idea that
any thing unadylike should occur to dis
parage their little idols.
Sedentary habits are the iniallible ruin
of Uniformed constitutions and not unfre-
quenty of established ones. If, then, in
tense and continued mental effort is undo
niably eXhausting and deleterious in its
effect, producing imbeciIity and even fatui-
ty, it is not an affair of small moment
that proper limits should be set to the
application of children in their scholastic
studies. No proposition claims higher
consideration nor more palpable infallibility
nor has any one more eifectuaIy escaped
the deserved consideration Of society. A
medium course should, therefore, undoubt-
edly, be pursued, leaving the support of the
two, nearly equally, absurd extremes to the
phrenzy Of enthusiasm. Doubtless the
younger and less perfectly formed consti-
tuition requires proportional predominant
CIV of reaXation-and when an intellect is
brought gradually and securely to the
maximum of its strength, its exercise, i'll
almost any degree, can be scarcely danger
Gus.
In addition to the above considerations,
one OF no less moment presents itself in the
practice of presenting to the minds OF
children subjects altogether above their
comprehension, either resulting in an entire
prostration Of mental energy from eXhaus-
ton, or, from encouragement, in es-
tablishing the ingorions habit of asserting
to all propositions, however derogatory to
reason and common sense. In this manner
are bigotry and superstition most etlectually
propagated and until the rsta 'lishmcnt
of some appropriate rules for the direction
of the human mind in its efforts for cult
yation, much of the lifetime of each indi-
vidual must, inevitably, he squandered in
cogitating subjects beyond its conprehen-
sion.
Subjects for contemplation, should,
therefore, he adapted to the age, capacity,
and peculiar bins of each individual, assist
ing and encouraging, rather than counter
acting. the evident intention of nature
Hence, the necessity of complex mechanl-
cal,agrcultural and scientific establishments
for the education of children, which may
be so modified as TO combine profitable
corporal exercise with the most successful
literary acquisition. Such establishments
have, for some years, been attempted, as
yet, however, altogether too partial and I'M
successful.
The system is in its infancy and INSULT
ciently digested to be etfectually executed,
esnecinllY. mill tie ndontinn OfnolylechniC