The herald., 1837-05-13
NEW YORK HE H AID.
Letters from a Young ScOtchman.
LETTER 3.

can properly be called scholars. Scholarship, in its
widest sense is not often attained by the citizens OF
the United States because there bat few wao have
The leisure except perhaps those who pursue the bu-
siness of instruction, TO devote themselves to the ac-
qustion of thigh, very high attanments IN Learning
Almost every citizen of this country is so circumstan-
ced as to be obliged to apply himself early TO some
profession ion for support and he has but lit
tie time inclination afterwards, to prosecute his
studies in such way, as to become distinguished IN
the various walks OF learning. The clergy who, IN
country, often so eminent for their scholastic
proficiency and extent of knowledge, are here 50
much occupied with their pastoral duties as to be un
able to attain any higher distinction than IS reached
by those who belong 10 other professions. There are
ne ben6ces or fellowsnps with fixed compensatlons
in the Universities OF this country where men would
have leisure and proper stimulus to become emf
nent scholars. Students admitted without being
properly prepared, and the discipline is not sufficient
rigorous TO insure great proficiency in the various
branches of education which are taught; and when
they 50 prepared for admission, they remain too
short period to acquire all that may be necessary to
render them finished scholars. This is not the
in England and Ireland Young men there often
continue till they % or % years of age laborous
and indefatIgaDle students. Here they finish their
studies at an earlier age, and commence the business
and occupations OF life at time when they should
be enrichng their minds with the treasures of know-
edge. You will be astonished to learn that there
la or Is Universities, and from 35 to 40 Colleges in
the United States; but these have not, believe sent
forth great many who could properly be called scho
ars, or who have distinguished themselves IN the
walks Oh lnat inOSt O1 those
who have been thus educated from being engaged in
the busy pursuits of life, or from want of incina-
ton, often suffer what they have acquired to be
lost. Thus you will frequently meet with men who
have passed. with eclat through the different classes
TO which they belonged, and, perhaps, carried off the
first honors OF their alma meter in few years after
they have left the seats of learning and entered into
active life that have far forgotten what they have
learnt, to be unable to translate passage in a
Greek or Roman author with facility. Classical
learning moreover, is not held in very high estimation
among the Americans, and, thefore, not so eagerly
pursued "a it would be- were its attainment deemed
more important. 1t may be that more time is deyo-
ted the colleges of England to this branch of learn
ing than may be considered absolutely necessary
even expedent when It's real aivantage IS regarded.
The discipline however, which ii gives TO the mind,
and the improvement which bestows upon its fac
ules, by perpetual exercise, will always render il
object of pursuit. and worthy of attainment wherever
refined taste, exquisite polish of dcton and beauty of
style are admired. The useful sciences and modern
languages more anxiously desired here than a
proficiency in classical literature the useful IS more
sought after than the ornamental, and the American
labors to acquire that which he employ to advan-
tage IN his intercourse with the living world and in the
active pursuits of life; and omts what he to
beintended merely to embesh without enriching his
mind It's true there are some men IN this country who
have pored over the midnight lamp, and made them
selves masters Of the literature of Greece and Rome
bat ssoh students are rare, and almost exclusively
found among professors, and those who devote them
selves to the business of instruction. There are
deed, but few professional men who have not some
knowledge of the ancient languages, but this know
ledge is for the most part very limited and imperfect
extending to superficial acquaintance with The
higher classics but defective be afterwards
almost invariably neglected. Very few have either
the leisure inclination after they leave college, to
improve their classical knowledge even 10 keep up
what they have acquired looking upon il as the mere
lumber of the schools or entirely useless To al
most every youth destined To of the learned pro-
LESSONS, il is deemed necessary to have some know
ledge, however small, of Greek and Latin; and this
Is sometimes obtained in classical schools in the
town and country, but seldom subsequentyimproved
perfected either in higher institutions or by solitary
study. Some, indeed, do not think il necessary at
all and are satisfied TO commence the study and
practice of law or medicine with very imperfect
knowledge of their own language alone OF course,
such men make but small figure in the professions
which they have chosen, and unless their genius and
industry be very extraordinary, become not indeed
render parole anal Densogne, but mere piazza law
yers venders pted for their ignorance or
scorned for their imPudence and effronery. Recently
the modern languages are, understand more gene
rally studied, and now there but few educated
men who cannot speak or read with facility the
French, Spanish, and sometimes the Italian and
German Eeemosynary schools are also numerous
throughout the eastern and middle states in which a
knowledge of reading, writing and arithmetic Is ac-
quired On this subject a very distinguished divine of
Massachusetts, DR. Channing, has correctly remark
ed" we do and mgst lament, that however we sur
pass other nations IN prov9lng for and spreading
elementary instruction, we fall behind many IN pro-
vision for the LIBERAL training of the intellect for
profound knowledge, and that thirst for higher
truths which can alone originate a commanding
literature. There is among much superficial
knowledge, but little severe persevering research lit
tle of that consuming passion for truth which
makes outward things worthless; little resoute devo
ton to high intellectual calturc There is no,rlere
a literary atmosphere, or such accumulation Of
literary influence determines the whole strength
of the mind to its own enlargement and to the ma
nfestation of itsclfn induring forms" To the eelc
mosynary schools | have mentioned have been added
IN almost every city and village number Of Sunday
schools for the religious instruction Of the young, Of
both ssxes in all classes of the community. In |
these, the blacks, well as the whites the bsnd as
well the free, are gratously taught to read by the
charitable exertions of the pious and phanihropc,
whe are both numerous and interchangeable. What
benefit may result to the slave from this system Of
.nstructon, am not prepared TO say. The apparent
effect, however, would naturally seem to be, that, in
proportion they give knowledge to the slave, they
gv9 him power, and add his sensbllity; and while
they thus increase his misery by making him mare
sensible Of his degradation they endangcr their own
safety, and the existence of the republic. In my next
/ shall speak Of female education and Of the schools
appropriate for their instruction. L.
Novel MODE OF THREsH'So IN SrArN.-Thcir mode
of threshing perfectly prmatve Several pieces of
ground the hborhDod of ha alIos,ad