Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-11-16
MISCELLANY ".
WHAT is EDUCATION!
BY ". C.. Canning, d. ID.

ne great emu OF education 10 not 10 train O
saan TO &c, living. This is plain because
life was given for higher purposes than sim.
ply ia toll for its own proiongation. A com,
tortahie subsistence Is indeed very impsrtant
20 the purpose Of life, be il what it may. A
anan half fed, halt clothed, and fearing 10
perish from famine or Geld will be loo crush
nd IN spirit TO do the proper work of man.
lie must be set free from the grasp of want;
sfem The Constant pressure af painful sensa
tions-tTom grinding, iil>re9uiied toll. Un-
less man be trained TO comfortable sun
port his prospects OF improvement and hapni
mass arc poor.--But If his educa ten aims Al
nothing more, his life will turn TO little &C.
count.
To educate man is 70 unfild his faculties
to give him the free and full use Of his nov
ers, and especially of his best powers. II j.
hrst 10 train the intellect, 10 give him love
al truth, and TO instruct him in the process
ny which II may be acquired. II is tn Irain
him 10 soundness ofjudgment, TO tench him
10 weigh evidence, and guard him against
the common source of error. 1t is 10 give
him thirst for knowledge, which will keen
bis faculties in action through life II is "a
aid him i'll the studies OF the outward world.
initiate him into the phys sciences, So ths,
he will understand the principles of his trade
or profession, and will be able 10 camprehend
The phenomena that are continually passing
Osiore his eya-lt is to make him acquaint
ell win hls own nature, togivs him that
most important means Of improvement. self
comprehension.
In the next place, 10 educate man is TO
train the conscience; TO give him a quick
Keen discernment OF the right, TO teach him
duty IN us great principles and minute appli,
Gallon, 10 establish him in improv ca BILE prin
clPles of action. Ii 10 10 show him his true
relation to God and his fellow beings. and
ths iranutabls obligations laid on him bv
shese-tt is to inspire him with the idea OF
perfection, TO give him high moral aim. 10
show how this may be maintained in The
commonest tolls. snd how every thing NAV
20 made to contribute TO its accomplishment.
Farther, 10 educate man in ihi. Country
10 to max 6 him a good citizen, TO establish
him in the principles OF psliticai science, 10
make him acquainted with our history, gov
ernmeni and laws, and 10 teach him our prea,
snisfesi as nation, and the policy by which
they are 10 he maintained; impress him
deeply with his responsibility, his great
trust, bis obligations 10 disinterested patri-
otism, as the citizen Of free state.
Again, TO educate man, 10 to cultivate
his imagination and taste /; TO aw AIKEN his sen i.
sibility TO the beauties of art, TO give him the
capacity of enjoying the writings Of men of
genius, 10 prepare him for the innoceat and
refined pleasure of literature.
! will only add that 10 educate a man is 10
cultivate his powers Of expression, so bat
he can bring out his thoughts with clearness
and strength, and exert q moral influence o..
YER his fellow creatures. This is essential 10
true enjoyment and improvement of official
life.
According 10 these views, the Iaborinp
classes may as yet be said TO have few means
OF education, excepting those which Provi.
dence iurnishesi in The relations changes ,occu.
paiions and discipline of life. The gres,
school OF Lille snd providence, is indeed open
TO all. But whst would ask, is done with
public Institutions Tor The education of The
mass of the people? In the mechanical ma
turs OF our commoH schools, is it ever pro-
posed TO untold The various faculties Of a bu.
man being to prepare him for self improve
rDent through life?
Indeed according 10 The views Of education
now given, how detective are our institu-
tiOne, for rich ss we'll as poor, and what a
revolution is required in our whole system oil
srsining The young?